Background: Despite increasing numbers of African immigrants to the United States, there is a lack of detailed information about their health problems. Methods: Data on communicable diseases were obtained from the charts of all 102 patients who had emigrated from Africa in the last 5 years and were seen at an urban clinic in Minneapolis, Minn, during the last 7 months of 1997. Results: Eight patients had active tuberculosis, 10 had hepatitis B, 7 trichuriasis, 2 amebiasis, 1 schistosomiasis, 1 ascariasis, 2 human immunodeficiency virus infection, and 1 malaria. All patients tested had antibodies to hepatitis A, 55% to hepatitis B, and 3% to hepatitis C. Characteristics of these patients are described. Conclusions: Communicable diseases are common in African immigrants, often despite a healthy appearance and prolonged residence in the United States. Careful screening is warranted.

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immigrant Negro Human immunodeficiency virus infection human Communicable Diseases middle aged ethnic group priority journal health status Malaria Aged Minnesota Humans Ascariasis Adolescent Medical Records male amebiasis Tuberculosis, Pulmonary female tuberculosis Africa Article Retrospective Studies major clinical study adult schistosomiasis trichuriasis Hepatitis, Viral, Human Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic Emigration and Immigration infection hepatitis B