Prioritizing tuberculosis clusters by genotype for public health action, Washington, USA.

Groups of tuberculosis cases with indistinguishable Mycobacterium tuberculosis genotypes (clusters) might represent recent transmission. We compared geospatial concentration of genotype clusters with independent priority rankings determined by local public health officials; findings were highly correlated. Routine use of geospatial statistics could help health departments identify recent disease transmission.

Tuberculosis education for nurse practitioner students: where we are and where we need to go.

Tuberculosis (TB) has reemerged as a public health concern. This study tested the reliability and validity of an instrument examining self-efficacy in providing TB care, beliefs about educational preparation, and knowledge about TB among nurse practitioner students from diverse programs. A one-time self-report instrument was distributed during a final clinical course.