Tuberculin Skin Test Screening Practices Among US Colleges and Universities

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1998. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Tuberculin Skin Test Screening Practices Among US Colleges and Universities

Journal of the American Medical Association Online (12/16/98) Vol. 280, No. 23, P. 2008
Hennessey, Karen A.; Schulte, Joann M.; Cook, Linda; et al.

A study of 624 U.S. colleges and universities found that 378 schools, or 61 percent, required tuberculin screening. Just over one-quarter of schools surveyed required tuberculin screening for all new students, while 8 percent asked for tests from only new international students. 294 schools (47 percent) requested tests from students in specific academic programs. Screening was required more by four-year schools, compared to two-year schools, while schools in the American College Health Association were also more likely to request screening. Schools with immunization records required testing more frequently, as did schools with health clinics. Private and public schools had essentially equal rates of tuberculin screening requirements. Of the almost 350,000 students tested with the Mantoux skin test between 1992 and 1996, 3.1 percent tested positive. International students had a higher positive rate for active disease than U.S. residents. The authors suggest that public health resources could be optimized though the selective screening of high-risk students.

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