Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health
Volume 32, Issue 2, 2008, Pages 142-149

Migrants and tuberculosis: Analysing epidemiological data with ethnography (Review)

Littleton J.* , Park J. , Thornley C. , Anderson A. , Lawrence J.
  • a Anthropology Department, University of Auckland, Private Mail Bag 921019, Auckland, New Zealand
  • b Anthropology Department, University of Auckland, Private Mail Bag 921019, Auckland, New Zealand
  • c Auckland Regional Public Health Service, Auckland, New Zealand
  • d Anthropology Department, University of Auckland, Private Mail Bag 921019, Auckland, New Zealand
  • e School of Geography and Environmental Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

Abstract

Objective: Media portrayals of tuberculosis (TB) in New Zealand are of immigrants who enter the country with active disease and pose a threat to inhabitants, which fosters a popular perception that border control is the best and only response to disease control. This paper reviews both New Zealand and international data on TB rates, causes and transmission among migrant populations to elucidate the precise nature of the link between immigration and TB rates. Methods: Recent information from scholarly journals on immigration and TB was reviewed. Surveillance data from New Zealand and comparable information from other low-incidence countries were reviewed. Conclusions and Implications: The importation of active TB is only a minor part of the total TB burden. While effective border control is essential, equally, if not more important, are the circumstances that promote the reactivation of latent TB infection in migrant communities, including migrants' experiences in transit and after arrival, structural conditions, and personal characteristics. For sound prevention strategies, attention needs to be paid to the existence of transnational communities and the conditions for migrants, rather than placing a singular focus on place of birth. © 2008 The Authors. Journal Compilation © 2008 Public Health Association of Australia.

Author Keywords

Medical anthropology Transnationalism Migrant health New Zealand

Index Keywords

anthropology bacterial transmission postprimary tuberculosis mass screening race difference Population Surveillance human delayed diagnosis immigration sputum culture Epidemiologic Studies social status Humans air pollution sputum analysis tuberculosis ethnography Review Risk Factors stress high risk population prevalence Incidence infection control tuberculin test health care access New Zealand thorax radiography tuberculosis control malnutrition Emigration and Immigration ethnicity Transients and Migrants Anthropology, Cultural Crowding infection sensitivity
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-42549170193&doi=10.1111%2fj.1753-6405.2008.00191.x&partnerID=40&md5=85ba1268d66a67f2913927e565a92bea
DOI: 10.1111/j.1753-6405.2008.00191.x
ISSN: 13260200
Cited by: 40
Original Language: English