Health locus-of-control beliefs in Vietnamese clients with latent tuberculosis.

The resurgence of tuberculosis constitutes a global emergency. In the United States, the number of reported cases is highest in foreign-born persons, and among that group is highest among Asians. Effective treatment requires an understanding of Asian health beliefs. Vietnamese clients were studied to identify associations between an Asian culture and the tendency to operate from an "internal" or "external" (chance or powerful others) locus of control in health beliefs. Internal-locus clients scored highest overall. Males scored significantly higher on external powerful other. Nurses are uniquely positioned to educate these internally motivated clients toward responsible health behavior and to initiate a decline in the rising rate of Asian TB in the United States.