The European respiratory journal
Volume 54, Issue 5, 2019

Latent tuberculosis screening and treatment among asylum seekers: a mixed-methods study (Article) (Open Access)

Spruijt I. , Tesfay Haile D. , Suurmond J. , van den Hof S. , Koenders M. , Kouw P. , van Noort N. , Toumanian S. , Cobelens F. , Goosen S. , Erkens C.
  • a KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation, The Hague, Netherlands, Dept of Public Health, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • b Dept of Public Health, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • c Dept of Public Health, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • d KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation, The Hague, Netherlands, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Centre for Infectious Disease Control, Bilthoven, Netherlands
  • e Dept of Tuberculosis Control, Public Health Service Gelderland Zuid, Nijmegen, Netherlands
  • f Dept of Tuberculosis Control, Public Health Service Flevoland, Lelystad, Netherlands
  • g Dept of Tuberculosis Control, Public Health Service Region UtrechtUtrecht, Netherlands
  • h Dept of Tuberculosis Control, Public Health Service Twente, Enschede, Netherlands
  • i Dept of Global Health and Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and Development, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • j Netherlands Association of Community Health Services (GGD GHOR Nederland)Utrecht, Netherlands
  • k KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation, The Hague, Netherlands

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Evidence on conditions for implementation of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) screening and treatment among asylum seekers is needed to inform tuberculosis (TB) control policies. We used mixed-methods to evaluate the implementation of an LTBI screening and treatment programme among asylum seekers in the Netherlands. METHODS: We offered voluntary LTBI screening to asylum seekers aged ≥12 years living in asylum seeker centres from countries with a TB incidence >200 per 10 000 population. We calculated LTBI screening and treatment cascade coverage, and assessed associated factors with Poisson regression using robust variance estimators. We interviewed TB care staff (seven group interviews) and Eritrean clients (21 group and 21 individual interviews) to identify programme enhancers and barriers. RESULTS: We screened 719 (63% of 1136) clients for LTBI. LTBI was diagnosed among 178 (25%) clients; 149 (84%) initiated LTBI treatment, of whom 129 (87%) completed treatment. In-person TB and LTBI education, the use of professional interpreters, and collaboration with partner organisations were enhancers for LTBI screening uptake. Demand-driven LTBI treatment support by TB nurses enhanced treatment completion. Factors complicating LTBI screening and treatment were having to travel to public health services, language barriers and moving from asylum seeker centres to the community during treatment. CONCLUSION: LTBI screening and treatment of asylum seekers is feasible and effective when high quality of care is provided, including culture-sensitive TB education throughout the care cascade. Additionally, collaboration with partner organisations, such as agencies responsible for reception and support of asylum seekers, should be in place. Copyright ©ERS 2019.

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Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85075813248&doi=10.1183%2f13993003.00861-2019&partnerID=40&md5=f3eda54b997283f102b28ff63de6347f
DOI: 10.1183/13993003.00861-2019
ISSN: 13993003
Original Language: English