Harlem DOT Study

A retrospective analysis of culture-confirmed TB cases enrolled in the Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) Program at Harlem Hospital between 1993 and 1998 was conducted with the objectives of assessing the social and clinical characteristics in TB patients in the DOT Program and determining factors associated with treatment completion. Among the 273 patients with confirmed TB treated at DOT, 83% were African American, 13% were Latino and 23% were foreign-born. Recent incarceration was reported by 11% of the patients, while 19% reported intravenous drug use, 38% alcohol use, and 11% homelessness. Multiple-drug resistant TB was reported in 7% of the patients and 41% reported testing positive for HIV. Of the above factors considered, patients who tested positive for HIV were less likely to complete treatment (p<0.05), while the foreign-born and those with multiple drug resistant TB were more likely to complete treatment (p<0.05).