Authors: Tulsky J.P.¹; Hahn J.A.²; Long H.L.²; Chambers D.B.³; Robertson M.J.⁴; Chesney M.A.³; Moss A.R.²

Source: The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Volume 8, Number 1, January 2004 , pp. 83-91(9)

Publisher: International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease

Abstract:

SETTING: Community-based population of homeless adults living in San Francisco, California.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of cash and non-cash incentives on 1) adherence to treatment for latent tuberculosis infection, and 2) length of time needed to look for participants who missed their dose of medications.

DESIGN: Prospective, randomized clinical trial comparing a $5 cash or a $5 non-cash incentive. All participants received directly observed preventive therapy and standardized follow-up per a predetermined protocol. Completion rates and amount of time needed to follow up participants was measured.

RESULTS: Of the 119 participants, 102 (86%) completed therapy. There was no difference between the cash and non-cash arms. Completion was significantly higher among males (OR 5.65, 95%CI 1.36–23.40, P = 0.02) and persons in stable housing at study entry (OR 4.86, 95%CI 1.32–17.94, P = 0.02). No substance use or mental health measures were associated with completion. Participants in the cash arm needed significantly less follow-up to complete therapy compared to the non-cash arm (P = 0.03). In multivariate analysis, non-cash incentive, use of crack cocaine, and no prior preventive therapy were associated with more follow-up time.

CONCLUSION: Simple, low cost incentives can be used to improve adherence to TB preventive therapy in indigent adults.

Keywords: homeless; latent tuberculosis infection; incentives; randomized trial

Document Type: Regular paper

Affiliations: 1: Department of Medicine, Positive Health Program, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA 2: Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA 3: Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA 4: Alcohol Research Group, Public Health Institute, Berkeley, California, USA

Publication date: 2004-01-01

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