Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Volume 17, Issue 5, 2015, Pages 1481-1486

Infection of the Invisible: Impressions of a Tuberculosis Intervention Program for Migrants in Istanbul (Article)

Yasin Y.* , Biehl K. , Erol M.
  • a Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, Acibadem University, Istanbul, Turkey
  • b Institute of Social and Cultural Anthropology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
  • c Humanities and Social Sciences Department, Isik University, Istanbul, Turkey

Abstract

This paper reviews the experience of the Istanbul Tuberculosis Aid Program, which targeted tuberculosis (TB) disease in the growing irregular migrant populations of Istanbul. This experience illustrated the importance of community-based public health interventions when dealing with an infectious disease like TB among vulnerable groups. Our data is derived primarily from a qualitative study carried out with program stakeholders. We summarize lessons for success of ITAP as: (1) Strengthening impact and outreach of TB intervention among irregular migrant communities through involvement of multiple stakeholders (2) Increasing TB awareness through a community targeted approach (3) Increasing TB contact tracing and treatment success among infected irregular migrants, and, (4) Improving overall health seeking behavior of irregular migrants through empowerment and trust. Given these particularities we list our policy suggestions for revision of regulations regarding TB control and healthcare needs of irregular migrant populations. © 2014, Springer Science+Business Media New York.

Author Keywords

Migration Turkey tuberculosis Community-based healthcare Infectious diseases

Index Keywords

Information Seeking Behavior information seeking consumer health information public health service demography human Health Behavior qualitative research Residence Characteristics Humans tuberculosis communicable disease control Public Health Practice Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice organization and management Retrospective Studies migration Turkey Directly Observed Therapy Transients and Migrants retrospective study attitude to health
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84941421335&doi=10.1007%2fs10903-014-0115-7&partnerID=40&md5=0d170735780fd9b739d4f255bca750ef
DOI: 10.1007/s10903-014-0115-7
ISSN: 15571912
Cited by: 3
Original Language: English