Hygiene + Medizin
Volume 44, Issue 1-2, 2019, Pages D1-D7

Prevalence of tuberculosis in young refugees at the first-entry examination as uma after orrlval in Germany - data from stuttgart between 201s and 2017 [Tuberkulosepravalenz junger flucht- linge bei erstuntersuchung als uma nach ankunft in deutschland - daten aus stuttgart aus den jahren 2015 bis 2017] (Article)

Hlldebrand A.* , Neumaier S. , Linger C. , Gronbach K. , Ehehalt S. , Prtwltzer M.
  • a Sachgebiet Infektionsschutz TuberkulosefQrsorge Gesundheitsamt der Landes, hauptstadt Stuttgart SchloBstraSe 91, Stuttgart, 70176, Germany
  • b Sachgebiet Infektionsschutz TuberkulosefQrsorge Gesundheitsamt der Landes, hauptstadt Stuttgart SchloBstraSe 91, Stuttgart, 70176, Germany
  • c Gesundheitsamt Rems-Murr-Krels, Walbllngen, Germany
  • d Sachgebiet Infektionsschutz TuberkulosefQrsorge Gesundheitsamt der Landes, hauptstadt Stuttgart SchloBstraSe 91, Stuttgart, 70176, Germany
  • e Sachgebiet Infektionsschutz TuberkulosefQrsorge Gesundheitsamt der Landes, hauptstadt Stuttgart SchloBstraSe 91, Stuttgart, 70176, Germany
  • f Justlzvollzugskrankenhaus Hohenasperg, Asperg, Germany, Deutsches Zentralkomitee zur Bekampfung der Tuberkulose, Berlin, Germany

Abstract

Background: Rcccntly many refugees came to Germany, among them many unaccompanied minors (UMA). After arrival the local youth welfare office (Jugendamt) takes care of them. Ac-cording to German law a tuberculosis screening must follow. This first-entry examination is not standardized and the results are not recorded on country or state level, thus data of tuberculosis prevalence are scarce for this vulnerable group. Methods: After arrival the young refugees were examined by the local health authorities (Gesundheitsamt). For persons above 15 years of age a chest x-ray was done according to national law, for younger persons a blood test for tuberculosis (IGRA) was performed according to national recommendations. Additionally a TB-specific history was taken and further examinations as needed. An official age assessment followed later, 29% were then classified as adults. Results: Between 2015 and 2017 1,151 young refugees were examined. 12 cases of active tuberculosis were detected (prevalence rate 1040/100000), all of African origin. Despite a significant decline of new arrivals (2015 n=758, 2017 n=143), the prevalence increased in this period (2015: 260/100000, 2017: 6290/100000). Most of the active cases had only little signs of disease. Discussion: The tuberculosis prevalence among young refugees in Stuttgart is high and has increased since 2015. The countries of origin have changed over time and were in 2017 mainly located in Africa. Conclusion: The tuberculosis screening of UMA after arrival is an effective infection control measure to detect early cases, prevent secondary cases in community facilities and protect the general population. Young African refugees are at particularly high risk to develop tuberculosis. © 2019 mhp-Verlag GmbH. All rights reserved.

Author Keywords

unaccompanied minors Tuberculosis screening Asylum seekers tuberculosis Active case finding Refugees

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85067346489&partnerID=40&md5=7a42cb0668c0d64b16c46eb7558e4c6c
ISSN: 01723790
Original Language: German