Date of Conferral

2016

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Public Health

Advisor

Vasileios Margaritis

Abstract

According to the literature, identifying and treating tuberculosis (TB) in correctional facilities have been problematic for the inmates and also for the communities into which inmates are released. The importance of training those who can identify this disease early into incarceration is vital to halt the transmission. Although some training has been done by public health authorities for corrections, there is little to no evaluation of such training. The aim of this mixed methods retrospective study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a training to control TB in correctional facilities. The Southeastern National Tuberculosis Center (SNTC) conducted 12 trainings between 2010 and 2014 with custody, medical, and public health staff working in correctional facilities, as well as with TB program staff from health departments. A total of 442 participants quantitatively and qualitatively evaluated the trainings. Gagne-Briggs and tripod models comprised the theoretical framework of the study. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and qualitative data were analyzed thematically. Analysis showed that the usefulness of the training was considered very good to excellent in each of the trainings. Also, many participants stated that they were going to educate others as well, in order to improve the management of TB in their facilities. The results of this study revealed that using systematic training can contribute to promote a more coordinated release of TB-infected inmates into the community, and therefore improve the quality of life of this population group, resulting in the promotion of social change.

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