International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease
Volume 5, Issue 8, 2001, Pages 712-716

Screening for tuberculosis and latent tuberculosis infection among undocumented immigrants at an unspecialised health service unit (Article)

El-Hamad I. , Casalini C. , Matteelli A.* , Casari S. , Bugiani M. , Caputo M. , Bombana E. , Scolari C. , Moioli R. , Scarcella C. , Carosi G.
  • a Clin. of Infect./Tropical Diseases, P.zza Spedali Civili, 1, 25125 Brescia, Italy
  • b Clin. of Infect./Tropical Diseases, P.zza Spedali Civili, 1, 25125 Brescia, Italy
  • c Clin. of Infect./Tropical Diseases, P.zza Spedali Civili, 1, 25125 Brescia, Italy
  • d Clin. of Infect./Tropical Diseases, P.zza Spedali Civili, 1, 25125 Brescia, Italy
  • e Clin. of Infect./Tropical Diseases, P.zza Spedali Civili, 1, 25125 Brescia, Italy
  • f Clin. of Infect./Tropical Diseases, P.zza Spedali Civili, 1, 25125 Brescia, Italy
  • g Clin. of Infect./Tropical Diseases, P.zza Spedali Civili, 1, 25125 Brescia, Italy
  • h Clin. of Infect./Tropical Diseases, P.zza Spedali Civili, 1, 25125 Brescia, Italy
  • i Clin. of Infect./Tropical Diseases, P.zza Spedali Civili, 1, 25125 Brescia, Italy
  • j Clin. of Infect./Tropical Diseases, P.zza Spedali Civili, 1, 25125 Brescia, Italy
  • k Clin. of Infect./Tropical Diseases, P.zza Spedali Civili, 1, 25125 Brescia, Italy

Abstract

SETTING: Practical or cost-effective strategies to identify undocumented immigrants with latent tuberculosis infection and to deliver treatment for latent TB infection are still unavailable. OBJECTIVES: To compare completion rates of screening procedures for TB infection and disease among undocumented immigrants at specialised (TB) and unspecialised health services in Italy. DESIGN: A TB unit (TBU) and an unspecialised health service unit for migrants (MHCU) served as recruitment sites for recent undocumented immigrants from TB endemic areas. The screening included a symptom questionnaire, a tuberculin skin test and a chest X-ray. RESULTS: Of 1318 eligible subjects, 1232 (93.4%) accepted the screening. Screening was completed by 993 (80.6%) individuals overall, 86.5% and 71.4% at the TBU and MHCU services, respectively. In a multivariate analysis model, the only variable associated with an increased probability of completing screening was being enrolled at the TBU site (OR 2.5, 95%CI 1.8-3.5; P < 0.001). Three hundred and ninety-two subjects (39.4%) had a TST test of ≥10 mm. Eight cases of active tuberculosis were detected, with a calculated prevalence of disease of 650/100 000. CONCLUSIONS: Undocumented immigrants to Italy can be screened for TB at an unspecialised health service unit, although not as efficiently as at a specialised TB unit.

Author Keywords

Screening tuberculosis immigrants

Index Keywords

statistical analysis symptomatology immigrant regression analysis mass screening human Odds Ratio priority journal probability latent period Feasibility Studies Humans Mass Chest X-Ray male female Socioeconomic Factors tuberculosis health services prevalence Article major clinical study tuberculin test adult patient participation thorax radiography endemic disease sclavo Virus Latency Emigration and Immigration Italy health center cost effectiveness analysis tuberculin
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0034905047&partnerID=40&md5=50c38fc539325389719fcb4c6db24920
ISSN: 10273719
Cited by: 32
Original Language: English