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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
medicine
A comparative examination of tuberculosis immigration medical screening programs from selected countries with high immigration and low tuberculosis incidence rates
BMC Infectious Diseases, Volume 11, Article 3, Year 2011
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Description
Background: Tuberculosis (TB) in migrants is an ongoing challenge in several low TB incidence countries since a large proportion of TB in these countries occurs in migrants from high incidence countries. To meet these challenges, several countries utilize TB screening programs. The programs attempt to identify and treat those with active and/or infectious stages of the disease. In addition, screening is used to identify and manage those with latent or inactive disease after arrival. Between nations, considerable variation exists in the methods used in migration-associated TB screening. The present study aimed to compare the TB immigration medical examination requirements in selected countries of high immigration and low TB incidence rates.Methods: Descriptive study of immigration TB screening programs. Results: 16 out of 18 eligible countries responded to the written standardized survey and phone interview. Comparisons in specific areas of TB immigration screening programs included authorities responsible for TB screening, the primary objectives of the TB screening program, the yield of detection of active TB disease, screening details and aspects of follow up for inactive pulmonary TB. No two countries had the same approach to TB screening among migrants. Important differences, common practices, common problems, evidence or lack of evidence for program specifics were noted.Conclusions: In spite of common goals, there is great diversity in the processes and practices designed to mitigate the impact of migration-associated TB among nations that screen migrants for the disease. The long-term goal in decreasing migration-related introduction of TB from high to low incidence countries remains diminishing the prevalence of the disease in those high incidence locations. In the meantime, existing or planned migration screening programs for TB can be made more efficient and evidenced based. Cooperation among countries doing research in the areas outlined in this study should facilitate the development of improved screening programs. © 2011 Alvarez et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.
Authors & Co-Authors
Alvarez, Gonzalo G.
Canada, Ottawa
Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
Gushulak, B.
Singapore, Singapore City
Migration Health Consultants Inc.
Rumman, Khaled A.
Jordan, Amman
National Tuberculosis Program
Altpeter, Ekkehardt Siegfried
Switzerland, Bern
Eidgenössisches Departement Des Innern Edi
Chemtob, Daniel
Israel, Jerusalem
Ministry of Health33 Pierre Koenig
Douglas, Paul J.
Unknown Affiliation
Erkens, Connie G.M.
Netherlands, The Hague
Kncv Tuberculosis Foundation
Helbling, Peter
Switzerland, Bern
Eidgenössisches Departement Des Innern Edi
Hamilton, Ingrid
New Zealand, Wellington
Ministry of Health - new Zealand
Jones, Jane
United Kingdom, London
Public Health England
Matteelli, A.
Italy, Brescia
Università Degli Studi Di Brescia
Paty, Marie Claire
France, Paris
Direction Générale de la Santé
Posey, Drew
United States, Atlanta
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Sagebiel, Daniel
Germany, Berlin
Robert Koch Institute
Slump, Erika
Netherlands, The Hague
Kncv Tuberculosis Foundation
Tegnell, Anders
Sweden, Stockholm
Socialstyrelsen National Board of Health and Welfare
Rodríguez-Valín, Elena
Spain, Madrid
Centro Nacional de Epidemiologia
Winje, Brita Askeland
Canada, Ottawa
Public Health Agency of Canada
Ellis, Edward
Canada, Ottawa
Public Health Agency of Canada
Statistics
Citations: 91
Authors: 19
Affiliations: 15
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1186/1471-2334-11-3
e-ISSN:
14712334
Research Areas
Infectious Diseases
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Cohort Study
Study Approach
Quantitative