Prevalence of tuberculosis infection among homeless young people in central and eastern Sydney

Objective: To determine the prevalence of tuberculosis (TB) infection among homeless youngs people (aged 12-25 years) in central and eastern Sydney. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 16 youth refuges and four drop-in centres in Central and Eastern Sydney Health Areas and at the Cellblock Youth Health Centre, Glebe and the Kirketon Road Centre, Darlinghurst, New South Wales (NSW). Participants completed a questionnaire and underwent Mantoux testing. Results: One hundred and forty-one young people completed questionnaires and 139 received a Mantoux test; 112 (80.6%) had their Mantoux read and 10 (8.9%) were Mantoux positive (95% confidence interval 3.6-14.2). None of the risk factors examined were found to be associated with increased risk for TB infection. Conclusions: In this sample of homeless young people in central and eastern Sydney, the Mantoux positivity rate appears to be higher than the general population in NSW, but they would not currently be considered a high-risk group for TB infection.