BMC Infectious Diseases
Volume 9, 2009

Screening for latent tuberculosis infection among undocumented immigrants in Swiss healthcare centres; a descriptive exploratory study (Article) (Open Access)

Bodenmann P.* , Vaucher P. , Wolff H. , Favrat B. , de Tribolet F. , Masserey E. , Zellweger J.-P.
  • a Department of Ambulatory Care and Community Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
  • b Department of Ambulatory Care and Community Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
  • c Department of Community Medicine, Geneva University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland
  • d Department of Ambulatory Care and Community Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
  • e Point d'Eau, Vulnerable Population Urban Healthcare Centre, Lausanne, Switzerland
  • f Department of Public Health, Canton of Vaud, Switzerland
  • g Department of Ambulatory Care and Community Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland

Abstract

Background: Migration is one of the major causes of tuberculosis in developed countries. Undocumented patients are usually not screened at the border and are not covered by a health insurance increasing their risk of developing the disease unnoticed. Urban health centres could help identify this population at risk. The objective of this study is to assess the prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) and adherence to preventive treatment in a population of undocumented immigrant patients. Methods: All consecutive undocumented patients that visited two urban healthcare centres for vulnerable populations in Lausanne, Switzerland for the first time were offered tuberculosis screening with an interferon-γ assay. Preventive treatment was offered if indicated. Adherence to treatment was evaluated monthly over a nine month period. Results: Of the 161 participants, 131 (81.4%) agreed to screening and 125 had complete examinations. Twenty-four of the 125 patients (19.2%; CI95% 12.7;27.2) had positive interferon-γ assay results, two of which had active tuberculosis. Only five patients with LTBI completed full preventive treatments. Five others initiated the treatment but did not follow through. Conclusion: Screening for tuberculosis infection in this hard-to-reach population is feasible in dedicated urban clinics, and the prevalence of LTBI is high in this vulnerable population. However, the low adherence to treatment is an important public health concern, and new strategies are needed to address this problem. © 2009 Bodenmann et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

blood sampling descriptive research urban area immigrant controlled clinical trial mass screening clinical trial human controlled study Community Health Centers Humans tuberculostatic agent male Emigrants and Immigrants female tuberculosis risk factor Risk Factors gamma interferon prevalence sensitivity and specificity Article blood patient compliance major clinical study adult exploratory research migration enzyme linked immunospot assay health care system health center Interferon-gamma latent virus infection Switzerland
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-64849086655&doi=10.1186%2f1471-2334-9-34&partnerID=40&md5=d1ac89430b36204eb3e38938650bdfaa
DOI: 10.1186/1471-2334-9-34
ISSN: 14712334
Cited by: 31
Original Language: English