SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS AND TUBERCULOSIS AMONG MIGRANTS AND ETHNIC MINORITIES: A KENTUCKY EXPERIENCE

SESSION TITLE: Cultural Diversity Posters SESSION TYPE: Original Investigation Posters PRESENTED ON: 10/10/2023 12:00 pm - 12:45 pm PURPOSE: Tuberculosis (TB) is more common among migrants and ethnic minorities in the United States compared with the general population. Historically, the disparity in the incidence of TB in the migrant populations has been attributed to differential pathogen exposure, based on the migration from TB-endemic countries. However, socio-economic disparities and cultural and structural barriers to accessing healthcare are considered contributory to increased vulnerability to infection and the development of active disease. Herein, we sought to investigate the socio-demographic factors influencing TB in a single-center retrospective cohort. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review among patients diagnosed at The Medical Center of Bowling Green, Kentucky from January 2018 to December 2022. We identified (n=28) patients diagnosed with active Tuberculosis infection. Clinical and epidemiologic data were obtained by reviewing electronic medical records. Additional data especially of epidemiologic interest was further obtained by performing a post-discharge questionnaire-based telephone survey. RESULTS: The mean age of the population studied was (Mean ± SD 59.0 ± 22.2) years. 78.6% (22) patients were male, and 21.4% (6) patients were female. 44% (11) patients were residents of KY, while 56% (17) patients had recently migrated to the United States) within the last 10 years. Among the migrant patient population, 32% (8) were from Myanmar, 8% (2) Guatemala, 8% (2) Mexico, and 4% (1) were from India, and El Salvador. 82% (23) patients had pulmonary TB; 11% (3) patients had abdominal TB; 4 % (1) patients had miliary TB and 4% (1) patients had spinal Tb. 7% (2) patients had multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (resistant to isoniazid and rifampicin) at the time of diagnosis. All the patients were referred to the local health department to complete anti-tubercular treatment. We conducted a post-discharge survey based on a telephone questionnaire.32% (9) of patients participated in the survey. All the participants had below elementary-level proficiency in the English language. All the participants were below the poverty line with an annual reported household income of 20,000 dollars or less. The level of education in all the survey participants was less than a high school diploma. None of the survey participants had health insurance or an established care with a primary care provider. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that TB incidence is socially patterned, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable members of the population. A holistic multifaceted approach is required to reduce delays in diagnosis and treatment and minimize transmission within migrant and ethnic minority communities. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: It is important to recognize the complex social disparity of TB in order to implement effective policies for tackling tuberculosis, especially in vulnerable populations. DISCLOSURES: No relevant relationships by Muhammad Ahmed No relevant relationships by Abigail Crabtree No relevant relationships by Camryn Crass No relevant relationships by Maria Hassan No disclosure on file for Nisarfathima Kazimuddin No relevant relationships by Tahir Muhammad Abdullah Khan No relevant relationships by Lauren Masden No relevant relationships by Fawaz Mohammed No relevant relationships by Melissa Murphy No relevant relationships by Abbigayle Rawls No relevant relationships by Yub Raj Sedhai No relevant relationships by Karan Singh No relevant relationships by Hamza Sohail No relevant relationships by Rodney Steff No disclosure on file for Irfan Waheed