Factors associated with acceptance of preventive treatment among college students with latent tuberculosis infection in Shandong, China.

OBJECTIVES

In China, little is known about factors associated with acceptance of tuberculosis (TB) preventive treatment (TPT) among college students. This study investigates the factors associated with the acceptance of TPT for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) among college students.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a cross-sectional study.

METHODS

The study included 874 college students with LTBI. Multivariable logistic regression was used to explore the factors associated with the acceptance of TPT among college students with LTBI.

RESULTS

LTBI college students who were aware of TB core knowledge [odds ratio (OR) = 2.10, 95 % confidence interval (CI): 1.37-3.20)], had not been screened with a PPD test before enrollment in the college (OR = 1.76, 95 % CI: 1.21-2.57), did not think that TPT frequency was excessive (OR = 1.96, 95 % CI: 1.30-2.96), and those who believed that TPT would not impact their study or life (OR = 1.54, 95 % CI: 1.01-2.35) were more likely to accept TPT. However, LTBI college students who had no family members or classmates with a history of TB (OR = 0.29, 95 % CI: 0.17-0.50), who were not informed by medical staff that they belonged to a high-risk group for TB (OR = 0.48, 95 % CI: 0.30-0.75), and whose family members did not support their participation in TPT (OR = 0.10, 95 % CI: 0.06-0.17) were more likely to refuse TPT.

CONCLUSIONS

Acceptance of TPT among college students with LTBI has been associated with factors such as awareness of core TB knowledge, perceptions of the TPT process, family support, and risk communication by medical staff prior to treatment. Colleges can pay attention to these factors in their practice of LTBI management.