International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease
Volume 8, Issue 6, 2004, Pages 711-717

Acceptance of screening and completion of treatment for latent tuberculosis infection among refugee claimants in Canada (Article)

Levesque J.-F.* , Dongier P. , Brassard P. , Allard R.
  • a Dir. des Syst. de Soins et Services, Inst. Natl. Sante Publique Quebec, Montreal, Que., Canada, Dir. de Sante Pub. de Montreal-Ctr., Montreal, Que., Canada, Dept. de Med. Sociale et Preventive, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Que., Canada, Dir. des Syst. de Soins et Services, Inst. Natl. Sante Publique Quebec, 1301 Sherbrooke Est, Montreal, Que. H2L 1M3, Canada
  • b CLSC Côte-des-Neiges, Clinique Santé-Accueil, Montreal, Que., Canada
  • c Dir. de Sante Pub. de Montreal-Ctr., Montreal, Que., Canada, Dept. de Med. Sociale et Preventive, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Que., Canada, Dept. Epidemiol., Biostat./Occup. H., McGill University, Montreal, Que., Canada
  • d Dir. de Sante Pub. de Montreal-Ctr., Montreal, Que., Canada, Dept. de Med. Sociale et Preventive, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Que., Canada, Dept. Epidemiol., Biostat./Occup. H., McGill University, Montreal, Que., Canada

Abstract

SETTING: Primary care clinic for refugee claimants, Montreal, Canada. OBJECTIVES: To identify factors linked to the acceptance of the tuberculin skin test (TST), and assess completion of treatment for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). DESIGN: Asylum seekers consulting for a medical complaint or medical immigration examination between February and October 1999 were assessed for eligibility. Personal and clinical information was gathered prospectively by questionnaire. Hospital files were reviewed to assess completion of LTBI treatment. RESULTS: In our study, 296 subjects (72.4% of 409 eligible) were offered TST, of whom 227 accepted (76.7%). Of these, 49 (24.9%) had a TST ≥ 10 mm and 24 (49%) completed 6 months of LTBI treatment. Logistic regression models showed that patients who had never had a TST (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.34-7.6) or had no temporary exclusion criteria (OR 4.0, 95% CI 1.6-9.9) were more likely to accept TST. Perceiving tuberculosis as a severe disease (OR 0.29, 95% CI 0.09-0.91) and consulting for an immigration examination (OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.18-0.98) was associated with refusal of TST. Increasing age was found to be independently associated with a positive TST (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.01-1.12). Variability in the proportion of positive results was found between TST readers. CONCLUSION: This study supports the feasibility of screening refugee claimants for LTBI during medical consultation and of developing organizational links to ensure completion of LTBI treatment.

Author Keywords

Preventive treatment Screening Refugees Latent tuberculosis infection

Index Keywords

primary medical care refugee mass screening Quebec human immigration Refugees middle aged priority journal Logistic Models screening Humans Mass Chest X-Ray Adolescent Antitubercular Agents male Canada Tuberculosis, Pulmonary female tuberculosis questionnaire Article Questionnaires tuberculin test adult major clinical study isoniazid age Age Factors tuberculosis control Emigration and Immigration Patient Acceptance of Health Care primary health care
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-2942526903&partnerID=40&md5=6a30658d618712669fcb6ce437c10227
ISSN: 10273719
Cited by: 31
Original Language: English