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Gonzalez-Reyes R, Katz D, Lambert L, Sorri Y, Narita M, Horne DJ. Interpreter usage and associations with latent tuberculosis infection treatment acceptance and completion in the USA among non-U.S.-born persons, 2012-2017. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0298628. [PMID: 38625902 PMCID: PMC11020400 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0298628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) screening and treatment interventions that are tailored to optimize acceptance among the non-U.S.-born population are essential for U.S. tuberculosis elimination. We investigated the impact of medical interpreter use on LTBI treatment acceptance and completion among non-U.S.-born persons in a multisite study. METHODS The Tuberculosis Epidemiologic Studies Consortium was a prospective cohort study that enrolled participants at high risk for LTBI at ten U.S. sites with 18 affiliated clinics from 2012 to 2017. Non-U.S.-born participants with at least one positive tuberculosis infection test result were included in analyses. Characteristics associated with LTBI treatment offer, acceptance, and completion were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression with random intercepts to account for clustering by enrollment site. Our primary outcomes were whether use of an interpreter was associated with LTBI treatment acceptance and completion. We also evaluated whether interpreter usage was associated treatment offer and whether interpreter type was associated with treatment offer, acceptance, or completion. RESULTS Among 8,761 non-U.S.-born participants, those who used an interpreter during the initial interview had a significantly greater odds of accepting LTBI treatment than those who did not use an interpreter. There was no association between use of an interpreter and a clinician's decision to offer treatment or treatment completion once accepted. Characteristics associated with lower odds of treatment being offered included experiencing homelessness and identifying as Pacific Islander persons. Lower treatment acceptance was observed in Black and Latino persons and lower treatment completion by participants experiencing homelessness. Successful treatment completion was associated with use of shorter rifamycin-based regimens. Interpreter type was not associated with LTBI treatment offer, acceptance, or completion. CONCLUSIONS We found greater LTBI treatment acceptance was associated with interpreter use among non-U.S.-born individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dolly Katz
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Lauren Lambert
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Yoseph Sorri
- TB Control Program, Public Health–Seattle & King County, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Masahiro Narita
- TB Control Program, Public Health–Seattle & King County, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, & Sleep Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - David J. Horne
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, & Sleep Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
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Dretzke J, Hobart C, Basu A, Ahyow L, Nagasivam A, Moore DJ, Gajraj R, Roy A. Interventions to improve latent and active tuberculosis treatment completion rates in underserved groups in low incidence countries: a scoping review. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e080827. [PMID: 38471682 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-080827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND People in underserved groups have higher rates of tuberculosis (TB) and poorer treatment outcomes compared with people with no social risk factors. OBJECTIVES This scoping review aimed to identify interventions that improve TB treatment adherence or completion rates. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Studies of any design focusing on interventions to improve adherence or completion of TB treatment in underserved populations in low incidence countries. SOURCES OF EVIDENCE MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane CENTRAL were searched (January 2015 to December 2023). CHARTING METHODS Piloted data extraction forms were used. Findings were tabulated and reported narratively. Formal risk of bias assessment or synthesis was not undertaken. RESULTS 47 studies were identified. There was substantial heterogeneity in study design, population, intervention components, usual care and definition of completion rates. Most studies were in migrants or refugees, with fewer in populations with other risk factors (eg, homelessness, imprisonment or substance abuse). Based on controlled studies, there was limited evidence to suggest that shorter treatment regimens, video-observed therapy (compared with directly observed therapy), directly observed therapy (compared with self-administered treatment) and approaches that include tailored health or social support beyond TB treatment may lead to improved outcomes. This evidence is mostly observational and subject to confounding. There were no studies in Gypsy, Roma and Traveller populations, or individuals with mental health disorders and only one in sex workers. Barriers to treatment adherence included a lack of knowledge around TB, lack of general health or social support and side effects. Facilitators included health education, trusted relationships between patients and healthcare staff, social support and reduced treatment duration. CONCLUSIONS The evidence base is limited, and few controlled studies exist. Further high-quality research in well-defined underserved populations is needed to confirm the limited findings and inform policy and practice in TB management. Further qualitative research should include more people from underserved groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janine Dretzke
- Institute of Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | | | | | | | | | - David J Moore
- Institute of Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
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Ortiz Laza N, Lopez Aranaga I, Toral Andres J, Toja Uriarte B, Santos Zorrozua B, Altube Urrengoechea L, Garros Garay J, Tabernero Huguet E. Latent tuberculosis infection treatment completion in Biscay: differences between regimens and monitoring approaches. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1265057. [PMID: 38020141 PMCID: PMC10651218 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1265057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Contact tracing and treatment of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is a key element of tuberculosis (TB) control in low TB incidence countries. A TB control and prevention program has been active in the Basque Country since 2003, including the development of the nurse case manager role and a unified electronic record. Three World Health Organization-approved LTBI regimens have been used: isoniazid for 6 months (6H), rifampicin for 4 months (4R), and isoniazid and rifampicin for 3 months (3HR). Centralized follow-up by a TB nurse case manager started in January 2016, with regular telephone follow-up, telemonitoring of blood test results, and monitoring of adherence by electronic review of drugs dispensed in pharmacies. Objective To estimate LTBI treatment completion and toxicity of different preventive treatment regimens in a real-world setting. Secondary objective: to investigate the adherence to different approaches to preventive treatment monitoring. Methods A multicentre retrospective cohort study was conducted using data collected prospectively on contacts of patients with TB in five hospitals in Biscay from 2003 to 2022. Results A total of 3,066 contacts with LTBI were included. The overall completion rate was 66.8%; 86.5% of patients on 3HR (n = 699) completed treatment vs. 68.3% (n = 1,260) of those on 6H (p < 0.0001). The rate of toxicity was 3.8%, without significant differences between the regimens. A total of 394 contacts were monitored by a TB nurse case manager. In these patients, the completion rate was 85% vs. 67% in those under standard care (p < 0.001). A multivariate logistic regression model identified three independent factors associated with treatment completion: being female, the 3HR regimen, and nurse telemonitoring. Conclusion 3HR was well tolerated and associated with a higher rate of treatment completion. Patients with nurse telemonitoring follow-up had better completion rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- N. Ortiz Laza
- Pulmonology Service, Cruces University Hospital, Biocruces-Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - I. Lopez Aranaga
- Pulmonology Service, Cruces University Hospital, Biocruces-Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - J. Toral Andres
- Pulmonology Service, Galdakao-Usansolo Hospital, Galdakao, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | - E. Tabernero Huguet
- Pulmonology Service, Cruces University Hospital, Biocruces-Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
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Rustage K, Lobe J, Hayward SE, Kristensen KL, Margineanu I, Stienstra Y, Goletti D, Zenner D, Noori T, Pareek M, Greenaway C, Friedland JS, Nellums LB, Hargreaves S. Initiation and completion of treatment for latent tuberculosis infection in migrants globally: a systematic review and meta-analysis. THE LANCET. INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2021; 21:1701-1712. [PMID: 34363771 PMCID: PMC8612939 DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(21)00052-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Background Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is one of the most prevalent infections globally and can lead to the development of active tuberculosis disease. In many low-burden countries, LTBI is concentrated within migrant populations often because of a higher disease burden in the migrant's country of origin. National programmes consequently focus on screening and treating LTBI in migrants to prevent future tuberculosis cases; however, how effective these programmes are is unclear. We aimed to assess LTBI treatment initiation and outcomes among migrants, and the factors that influence both. Methods For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched Embase, MEDLINE, and Global Health, and manually searched grey literature from Jan 1, 2000, to April 21, 2020. We included primary research articles reporting on LTBI treatment initiation or completion, or both, in migrants and excluded articles in which data were not stratified by migrant status, or in which the data were related to outcomes before 2000. There were no geographical or language restrictions. All included studies were quality appraised using recognised tools depending on their design, and we assessed the heterogeneity of analyses using I2. We extracted data on the numbers of migrants initiating and completing treatment. Our primary outcomes were LTBI treatment initiation and completion in migrants (defined as foreign-born). We used random-effects meta-regression to examine the influence of factors related to these outcomes. The study is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42019140338). Findings 2199 publications were retrieved screened, after which 39 publications from 13 mostly high-income, low-burden countries were included in our analyses, with treatment initiation and completion data reported for 31 598 migrants positive for LTBI, with not all articles reporting the full pathway from initiation to completion. The pooled estimate for the true proportion of migrants testing positive who initiated treatment was 69% (95% CI 51–84; I2= 99·62%; 4409 of 8764). The pooled estimate for the true proportion of migrants on treatment in datasets, who subsequently completed it was 74% (95% CI = 66–81; I2= 99·19%; 15 516 of 25 629). Where data were provided for the entire treatment pathway, the pooled estimate for the true proportion of migrants who initiated and completed treatment after a positive test was only 52% (95% CI 40–64; I2= 98·90%; 3289 of 6652). Meta-regression showed that LTBI programmes are improving, with more recent reported data (2010–20) associated with better rates of treatment initiation and completion, with multiple complex factors affecting treatment outcomes in migrants. Interpretation Although our analysis highlights that LTBI treatment initiation and completion in migrants has improved considerably from 2010–20, there is still room for improvement, with drop out reported along the entire treatment pathway. The delivery of these screening and treatment programmes will require further strengthening if the targets to eradicate tuberculosis in low-incidence countries are to be met, with greater focus needed on engaging migrants more effectively in the clinic and understanding the diverse and unique barriers and facilitators to migrants initiating and completing treatment. Funding European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, the Rosetrees Trust, the National Institute for Health Research, and the Academy of Medical Sciences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kieran Rustage
- The Migrant Health Research Group, Institute for Infection and Immunity, St George's University of London, London, UK
| | - Jessica Lobe
- The Migrant Health Research Group, Institute for Infection and Immunity, St George's University of London, London, UK
| | - Sally E Hayward
- The Migrant Health Research Group, Institute for Infection and Immunity, St George's University of London, London, UK; Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Kristina L Kristensen
- Research Centre for Migration, Ethnicity and Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; International Reference Laboratory of Mycobacteriology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ioana Margineanu
- Department of Internal Medicineand Infectious Diseases, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Ymkje Stienstra
- Research Centre for Migration, Ethnicity and Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Delia Goletti
- Saint Camillus International University of Health and Medical Sciences, Rome, Italy
| | - Dominik Zenner
- Institute for Population Health Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Teymur Noori
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Solna, Sweden
| | - Manish Pareek
- Department of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Christina Greenaway
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada; Center for Clinical Epidemiology, Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jon S Friedland
- The Migrant Health Research Group, Institute for Infection and Immunity, St George's University of London, London, UK
| | - Laura B Nellums
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Sally Hargreaves
- The Migrant Health Research Group, Institute for Infection and Immunity, St George's University of London, London, UK.
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Campbell JI, Sandora TJ, Haberer JE. A scoping review of paediatric latent tuberculosis infection care cascades: initial steps are lacking. BMJ Glob Health 2021; 6:e004836. [PMID: 34016576 PMCID: PMC8141435 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2020-004836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Identifying and treating children with latent tuberculosis infection (TB infection) is critical to prevent progression to TB disease and to eliminate TB globally. Diagnosis and treatment of TB infection requires completion of a sequence of steps, collectively termed the TB infection care cascade. There has been no systematic attempt to comprehensively summarise literature on the paediatric TB infection care cascade. METHODS We performed a scoping review of the paediatric TB infection care cascade. We systematically searched PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Cochrane and Embase databases. We reviewed articles and meeting abstracts that included children and adolescents ≤21 years old who were screened for or diagnosed with TB infection, and which described completion of at least one step of the cascade. We synthesised studies to identify facilitators and barriers to retention, interventions to mitigate attrition and knowledge gaps. RESULTS We identified 146 studies examining steps in the paediatric TB infection care cascade; 31 included children living in low-income and middle-income countries. Most literature described the final cascade step (treatment initiation to completion). Studies identified an array of patient and caregiver-related factors associated with completion of cascade steps. Few health systems factors were evaluated as potential predictors of completion, and few interventions to improve retention were specifically tested. CONCLUSIONS We identified strengths and gaps in the literature describing the paediatric TB infection care cascade. Future research should examine cascade steps upstream of treatment initiation and focus on identification and testing of at-risk paediatric patients. Additionally, future studies should focus on modifiable health systems factors associated with attrition and may benefit from use of behavioural theory and implementation science methods to improve retention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey I Campbell
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Thomas J Sandora
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jessica E Haberer
- Center for Global Health, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Nederby Öhd J, Hergens MP, Luksha Y, Buxbaum C, Shedrawy J, Jonsson J, Bruchfeld J, Lönnroth K. Evaluation of the latent tuberculosis screening and treatment strategy for asylum seekers in Stockholm, Sweden 2015-2018: a record linkage study of the care cascade. Eur Respir J 2021; 57:13993003.02255-2020. [PMID: 32855227 DOI: 10.1183/13993003.02255-2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION About 90% of active tuberculosis (TB) cases in Sweden are foreign born and are mainly due to latent TB infection (LTBI) reactivation. The aim of this study was to assess the current migrant LTBI screening programme with regards to test results and completion of the care cascade. METHOD A retrospective cohort of all 14173 individuals attending a health examination was established for the Stockholm Region 2015-2018 through record-linkage of data extracted from the Swedish Migration Authority and medical records. Screening results, referrals to specialist care and treatment initiation were ascertained through automated data extraction for the entire cohort. Detailed cascade steps, including treatment completion, were analysed through manual data extraction for a subsample of all persons referred to specialist care in the period 2016-2017. RESULTS Of 5470 patients screened with an interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA), 1364 (25%) were positive, of whom 358 (26%) initiated LTBI treatment. An increased trend in IGRA-positivity was seen for increased age and TB-incidence in country of origin. Among the IGRA positive patients, 604 (44%) were referred to specialist care. Lower age was the main referral predictor. In the subsample of 443 patients referred to specialist care in 2016-2017, 386 (87%) were invited, of whom 366 (95%) attended. Of 251 patients (69%) recommended for LTBI treatment, 244 (97%) started such treatment and of those 221 (91%) completed it. CONCLUSION The low attrition in patient-dependent cascade steps shows that the voluntary approach works well. Low LTBI treatment attainment is due to the current conservative local treatment policy, which means the vast majority are IGRA-tested without an intention to treat for LTBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Nederby Öhd
- Dept of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Dept of Communicable Disease Prevention and Control, Stockholm Region, Sweden
| | - Maria-Pia Hergens
- Dept of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Dept of Communicable Disease Prevention and Control, Stockholm Region, Sweden.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Dept of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Yauheni Luksha
- Dept of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Charlotte Buxbaum
- Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jad Shedrawy
- Dept of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jerker Jonsson
- Dept of Public Health Analysis and Data Management, Unit for Epidemiological Monitoring, Public Health Agency of Sweden, Solna, Sweden
| | - Judith Bruchfeld
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Dept of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Dept of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Knut Lönnroth
- Dept of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Lal A, Al Hammadi A, Rapose A. Latent Tuberculosis Infection: Treatment Initiation and Completion Rates in Persons Seeking Immigration and Health Care Workers. Am J Med 2019; 132:1353-1355. [PMID: 31153865 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2019.04.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2019] [Revised: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/20/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We assessed the factors associated with initiation and completion rates of latent tuberculosis (TB) infection treatment in persons evaluated at an infectious diseases outpatient clinic in central Massachusetts. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that there may be up to 14 million persons in the United States with a latent TB infection. The risk of developing active TB in these persons can range from 5% to 15%. Hence, treatment of latent TB infection is an important aspect of any plan attempting to eradicate TB from the United States. METHODS We performed a retrospective chart review of patients referred to our outpatient infectious diseases clinic from December 2006 to October 2010. RESULTS Overall treatment initiation and completion rates were 76% and 68%, respectively, in our cohort. Two factors that were statistically significant for higher rates of treatment completion were 4 or more follow-up visits during the course of treatment (P < 0.001) and persons seeking immigration (PSI) to the United States (P < 0.02). Rate of treatment refusal was higher in health care workers as compared to workers not in health care (35% vs 13%, P = 0.004, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.38-4.91). CONCLUSION Our study reveals findings not previously reported in the US literature. We noted a high rate of treatment completion in persons seeking immigration to the United States. The second unique observation is the higher treatment completion rates in persons with 4 or more follow-up visits. We suggest that an emphasis on at least 4 follow-up visits can be an intervention that could improve the overall rates of treatment completion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amos Lal
- Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Vincent Hospital, Worcester, Mass.
| | - Ahmed Al Hammadi
- University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston-McGovern Medical School, Houston
| | - Alwyn Rapose
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Reliant Medical Group, Worcester, Mass; Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine, University of Massachusetts, Worcester
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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. Latent tuberculosis screening and treatment among asylum seekers: a mixed-methods study. Eur Respir J 2019; 54:13993003.00861-2019. [DOI: 10.1183/13993003.00861-2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
IntroductionEvidence 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.MethodsWe 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.ResultsWe 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.ConclusionLTBI 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.
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