Work

Factors associated with acceptance of preventive treatment among older adults with latent tuberculosis infection in Huzhou, Zhejiang province: a cross-sectional study

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Objective: To investigate the acceptance of Tuberculosis preventive treatment (TPT) and the factors associated with treatment acceptance among individuals aged ≥60 years that screened positive for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in Huzhou city, Zhejiang Province of China, and to provide scientific evidence for TPT implementation in this population. Methods: Older adults aged ≥60 years with LTBI were recruited through community-based health examinations and screening of close contacts of active tuberculosis patients. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with TPT acceptance. Results: Of the 620 participants enrolled, 430 (69.35%) accepted TPT. Among the participants, 354 (57.09%) were male, 192 (30.96%) were aged over 70 years, 593 (95.65%) were married, 499 (80.48%) resided in rural areas, 577 (93.06%) had an education level of junior high school or below, 135 (21.77%) smoked daily or occasionally, and 152 (24.52%) consumed alcohol occasionally or at least twice weekly. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis revealed that participants with a household size of ≤3 persons (aOR: 1.88; 95% CI: 1.15-3.07), an annual household income of ≤150, 000 CNY (aOR: 2.24; 95% CI: 1.33-3.77), and a history of underlying diseases (aOR: 1.86; 95% CI: 1.16-2.99) were more likely to accept TPT. Conclusion: The TPT acceptance rate among older adults aged ≥60 years with LTBI in Huzhou was relatively high. Acceptance was independently associated with household structure, economic status, and health status. Smaller household size (≤3 persons), lower annual household income (≤150, 000 CNY), and the presence of underlying diseases were independently associated with TPT acceptance in this population. Targeted intervention strategies should be developed for older adults from larger households, those with better economic conditions, and those without underlying diseases to improve overall TPT coverage.

Source: Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology

DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2026.1967858