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Pach S, Ritz N, Eisen S. Optimizing Early Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases in Migrant and Refugee Children: An Overview of Best Practices and Strategies. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2024:00006454-990000000-00883. [PMID: 38830140 DOI: 10.1097/inf.0000000000004406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Pach
- From the Paediatrics Department, Whittington Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nicole Ritz
- Paediatrics Department, Children's Hospital Central Switzerland & Faculty of Health Science and Medicine, University of Lucerne, Lucerne
- Mycobacterial and Migrant Health Research and Department for Clinical Research, University of Basel University Children's Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sarah Eisen
- Paediatrics Department, University College London Hospitals, Hospital of Tropical Diseases
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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2
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Abebe AD, Assefa M, Belete D, Ferede G. Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B and C Viruses and Their Associated Factors Among Military Personnel at Military Camps in Central Gondar, Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study. Infect Drug Resist 2024; 17:1407-1417. [PMID: 38628243 PMCID: PMC11019156 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s455562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Globally, viral hepatitis is a leading cause of death and is highly prevalent in Ethiopia. Military personnel are more vulnerable to hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections, and there are no data on such populations in the study area. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of HBV and HCV infections and their associated factors among military personnel in military camps in Central Gondar, Ethiopia. Materials and Methods This institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted with 277 military personnel from April to August 2022 at military camps in Central Gondar, Ethiopia. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select the study participants. Sociodemographic and other relevant data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Five milliliters of venous blood were collected using a vacutainer tube and tested for hepatitis B surface antigens and anti-hepatitis C virus antibodies using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Data were analyzed using STATA version 14 software and logistic regression models were used to determine the association between HBV/HCV infection and risk factors. Results Out of 277 participants, the overall seroprevalence of HBV and HCV infections was 19 (6.9%) and 9 (3.3%), respectively. The rate of HBV and HCV co-infection was 2 (0.7%). Having multiple sexual partners (p = 0.048), frequent alcohol use (p = 0.034), hospitalization (p = 0.014), and history of receiving injections from traditional practitioners (p = 0.040) were significant predictors of HBV infection. In contrast, a history of blood transfusion (p = 0.048) and sexually transmitted infections (p = 0.039) were significant risk factors for HCV infection. Conclusion and Recommendations An intermediate prevalence of HBV and HCV infections was observed among the military personnel. Continuous screening, adherence to healthcare service guidelines, and strengthening of vaccination are crucial for preventing HBV and HCV infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayanaw Dinku Abebe
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Muluneh Assefa
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Debaka Belete
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Getachew Ferede
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
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Carter J, Knights F, Deal A, Crawshaw AF, Hayward SE, Hall R, Matthews P, Seedat F, Ciftci Y, Zenner D, Wurie F, Campos-Matos I, Majeed A, Requena-Mendez A, Hargreaves S. Multi-infection screening for migrant patients in UK primary care: Challenges and opportunities. J Migr Health 2023; 9:100203. [PMID: 38059072 PMCID: PMC10696453 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmh.2023.100203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Migrants in Europe face a disproportionate burden of undiagnosed infection, including tuberculosis, blood-borne viruses, and parasitic infections and many belong to an under-immunised group. The European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) has called for innovative strategies to deliver integrated multi-disease screening to migrants within primary care, yet this is poorly implemented in the UK. We did an in-depth qualitative study to understand current practice, barriers and solutions to infectious disease screening in primary care, and to seek feedback on a collaboratively developed digitalised integrated clinical decision-making tool called Health Catch UP!, which supports multi-infection screening for migrant patients. Methods Two-phase qualitative study of UK primary healthcare professionals, in-depth semi-structured telephone-interviews were conducted. In Phase A, we conducted interviews with clinical staff (general practitioners (GPs), nurses, health-care-assistants (HCAs)); these informed data collection and analysis for phase B (administrative staff). Data were analysed iteratively, using thematic analysis. Results In phase A, 48 clinicians were recruited (25 GPs, 15 nurses, seven HCAs, one pharmacist) and 16 administrative staff (11 Practice-Managers, five receptionists) in phase B. Respondents were positive about primary care's ability to effectively deliver infectious disease screening. However, we found current infectious disease screening lacks a standardised approach and many practices have no system for screening meaning migrant patients are not always receiving evidence-based care (i.e., NICE/ECDC/UKHSA screening guidelines). Barriers to screening were reported at patient, staff, and system-levels. Respondents reported poor implementation of existing screening initiatives (e.g., regional latent TB screening) citing overly complex pathways that required extensive administrative/clinical time and lacked financial/expert support. Solutions included patient/staff infectious disease champions, targeted training and specialist support, simplified care pathways for screening and management of positive results, and financial incentivisation. Participants responded positively to Health Catch-UP!, stating it would systematically integrate data and support clinical decision-making, increase knowledge, reduce missed screening opportunities, and normalisation of primary care-based infectious disease screening for migrants. Conclusions Our results suggest that implementation of infectious disease screening in migrant populations is not comprehensively done in UK primary care. Primary health care professionals support the concept of innovative digital tools like Health Catch-UP! and that they could significantly improve disease detection and effective implementation of screening guidance but that they require robust testing and resourcing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Carter
- The Migrant Health Research Group, St George's, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Felicity Knights
- The Migrant Health Research Group, St George's, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anna Deal
- The Migrant Health Research Group, St George's, University of London, London, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom
| | - Alison F Crawshaw
- The Migrant Health Research Group, St George's, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sally E Hayward
- The Migrant Health Research Group, St George's, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Farah Seedat
- The Migrant Health Research Group, St George's, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Dominik Zenner
- Global Public Health Unit, Wolfson Institute of Population Health, United Kingdom
| | - Fatima Wurie
- Department of Health and Social Care, Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, United Kingdom
| | - Ines Campos-Matos
- Department of Health and Social Care, Addictions and Inclusion Directorate, Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, United Kingdom
| | - Azeem Majeed
- Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Imperial College London, United Kingdom
| | - Ana Requena-Mendez
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal Campus Clinic), Spain
- Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sally Hargreaves
- The Migrant Health Research Group, St George's, University of London, London, United Kingdom
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4
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Zhang L, Liu H, Zou Z, Su S, Ong JJ, Ji F, Cui F, Chan PL, Ning Q, Li R, Shen M, Fairley CK, Liu L, Seto WK, Wong WC. Shared-care models are highly effective and cost-effective for managing chronic hepatitis B in China: reinterpreting the primary care and specialty divide. THE LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH. WESTERN PACIFIC 2023; 35:100737. [PMID: 37424676 PMCID: PMC10326699 DOI: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.2023.100737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/22/2023]
Abstract
Background We evaluate the impact and cost-effectiveness of shared primary-specialty chronic hepatitis B (CHB) care models in China. Methods We constructed a decision-tree Markov model to simulate hepatitis B virus (HBV) disease progression in a cohort of 100,000 CHB individuals aged ≥18 years over their lifetime (aged 80). We evaluated the population impacts and cost-effectiveness in three scenarios: (1) status quo; (2) shared-care model with HBV testing and routine CHB follow-ups in primary care and antiviral treatment initiation in specialty care; and (3) shared-care model with HBV testing, treatment initiation and routine CHB follow-up in primary care and treatment for predetermined conditions in specialty care. We evaluated from a healthcare provider's perspective with 3% discounting rate and a willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold of 1-time China's GDP. Findings Compared with status quo, scenario 2 would result in an incremental cost of US$5.79-132.43m but a net gain of 328-16,993 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and prevention of 39-1935 HBV-related deaths over cohort's lifetime. Scenario 2 was not cost-effective with a WTP of 1-time GDP per capita, but became cost-effective when treatment initiation rate increased to 70%. In contrast, compared with status quo, secnario 3 would save US$144.59-192.93m in investment and achieve a net gain of 23,814-30,476 QALYs and prevention of 3074-3802 HBV-related deaths. Improving HBV antiviral treatment initiation among eligible CHB individuals substantially improved the cost-effectiveness of the shared-care models. Interpretation Shared-care models with HBV testing, follow up and referring of predetermined conditions to specialty care at an appropriate time, especially antiviral treatment initiation in primary care, are highly effective and cost-effective in China. Funding National Natural Science Foundation of China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Zhang
- China–Australia Joint Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Centre, Xi'an, China
- Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Artificial Intelligence and Modelling in Epidemiology Program, Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Hanting Liu
- China–Australia Joint Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Centre, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhuoru Zou
- China–Australia Joint Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Centre, Xi'an, China
| | - Shu Su
- Clinical Research Management Office, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jason J. Ong
- China–Australia Joint Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Centre, Xi'an, China
- Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Fanpu Ji
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Fuqiang Cui
- School of Public Health, Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, China
| | - Po-lin Chan
- Division of Communicable Disease, World Health Organization Western Pacific Regional Office, Manila, Philippines
| | - Qin Ning
- Department and Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Rui Li
- China–Australia Joint Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Centre, Xi'an, China
| | - Mingwang Shen
- China–Australia Joint Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Centre, Xi'an, China
- Key Laboratory for Disease Prevention and Control and Health Promotion of Shaanxi Province, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Christopher K. Fairley
- Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Artificial Intelligence and Modelling in Epidemiology Program, Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Lan Liu
- Chinese Medical Association Publishing House, 69 Dongheyanjie Street, XiCheng District, Beijing, China
| | - Wai-Kay Seto
- Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
- Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - William C.W. Wong
- Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, The University of Hong Kong–Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
- Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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5
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Geretti AM, Austin H, Villa G, Smith C, Sabin C, Tsang R, Sherlock J, Ferreira F, Byford R, Meza-Torres B, Whyte M, de Lusignan S. Hepatitis B virus infection in general practice across England: An analysis of the Royal College of General Practitioners Research and Surveillance Centre real-world database. J Infect 2023; 86:476-485. [PMID: 36906152 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2023.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We analysed hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) screening and seropositivity within a network of 419 general practices representative of all regions of England. METHODS Information was extracted using pseudonymised registration data. Predictors of HBsAg seropositivity were explored in models that considered age, gender, ethnicity, time at the current practice, practice location and associated deprivation index, and presence of nationally endorsed screen indicators including pregnancy, men who have sex with men (MSM), history of injecting drug use (IDU), close HBV contact or imprisonment, and diagnosis of blood-borne or sexually transmitted infections. RESULTS Among 6,975,119 individuals, 192,639 (2.8%) had a screening record, including 3.6- 38.6% of those with a screen indicator, and 8065 (0.12%) had a seropositive record. The odds of seropositivity were highest in London, in the most deprived neighbourhoods, among minority ethnic groups, and in people with screen indicators. Seroprevalence exceeded 1% in people from high prevalence countries, MSM, close HBV contacts, and people with a history of IDU or HIV, HCV, or syphilis diagnosis. Overall, 1989/8065 (24.7%) had a recorded referral to specialist hepatitis care. CONCLUSIONS In England, HBV infection is associated with poverty. There are unrealised opportunities to promote access to diagnosis and care for those affected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Maria Geretti
- Dept. of Infectious Diseases, Fondazione PTV, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy; School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Harrison Austin
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Giovanni Villa
- Dept. of Global Health & Infection, Brighton & Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, Brighton United Kingdom
| | - Colette Smith
- Institute for Global Health, University College London (UCL), London, United Kingdom
| | - Caroline Sabin
- Institute for Global Health, University College London (UCL), London, United Kingdom; NIHR HPRU in Blood Borne and Sexually Transmitted Infections at UCL, a partnership with UKSHA, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ruby Tsang
- Nuffield Dept. of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Julian Sherlock
- Nuffield Dept. of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Filipa Ferreira
- Nuffield Dept. of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Rachel Byford
- Nuffield Dept. of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Bernardo Meza-Torres
- Nuffield Dept. of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Martin Whyte
- Nuffield Dept. of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Simon de Lusignan
- Nuffield Dept. of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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6
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Martyn E, Eisen S, Longley N, Harris P, Surey J, Norman J, Brown M, Sultan B, Maponga TG, Iwuji C, Flanagan S, Ghosh I, Story A, Matthews PC. The forgotten people: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection as a priority for the inclusion health agenda. eLife 2023; 12:e81070. [PMID: 36757862 PMCID: PMC9910830 DOI: 10.7554/elife.81070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection represents a significant global health threat, accounting for 300 million chronic infections and up to 1 million deaths each year. HBV disproportionately affects people who are under-served by health systems due to social exclusion, and can further amplify inequities through its impact on physical and mental health, relationship with stigma and discrimination, and economic costs. The 'inclusion health' agenda focuses on excluded and vulnerable populations, who often experience barriers to accessing healthcare, and are under-represented by research, resources, interventions, advocacy, and policy. In this article, we assimilate evidence to establish HBV on the inclusion health agenda, and consider how this view can inform provision of better approaches to diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. We suggest approaches to redress the unmet need for HBV interventions among excluded populations as an imperative to progress the global goal for the elimination of viral hepatitis as a public health threat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Martyn
- The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical MedicineLondonUnited Kingdom
- Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Division of Infection, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Sarah Eisen
- Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Division of Infection, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Nicky Longley
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical MedicineLondonUnited Kingdom
- Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Division of Infection, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustLondonUnited Kingdom
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Philippa Harris
- Find & Treat Service, Division of Infection, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Julian Surey
- Find & Treat Service, Division of Infection, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustLondonUnited Kingdom
- Institute of Global Health, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
- Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria de CantoblancoMadridSpain
| | - James Norman
- Find & Treat Service, Division of Infection, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Michael Brown
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical MedicineLondonUnited Kingdom
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustLondonUnited Kingdom
- Find & Treat Service, Division of Infection, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Binta Sultan
- Find & Treat Service, Division of Infection, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustLondonUnited Kingdom
- Mortimer Market Centre, Central and North London NHS Foundation TrustLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Tongai G Maponga
- Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Medicine and Health SciencesTygerbergSouth Africa
| | - Collins Iwuji
- Department of Global Health, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of SussexBrightonUnited Kingdom
- Africa Health Research InstituteDurban, KwaZulu-NatalSouth Africa
| | - Stuart Flanagan
- Mortimer Market Centre, Central and North London NHS Foundation TrustLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Indrajit Ghosh
- Find & Treat Service, Division of Infection, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustLondonUnited Kingdom
- Mortimer Market Centre, Central and North London NHS Foundation TrustLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Alistair Story
- Find & Treat Service, Division of Infection, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustLondonUnited Kingdom
- Collaborative Centre for Inclusion Health, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Philippa C Matthews
- The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustLondonUnited Kingdom
- Mortimer Market Centre, Central and North London NHS Foundation TrustLondonUnited Kingdom
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
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7
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Moonen CPB, den Heijer CDJ, Dukers-Muijrers NHTM, van Dreumel R, Steins SCJ, Hoebe CJPA. A systematic review of barriers and facilitators for hepatitis B and C screening among migrants in the EU/EEA region. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1118227. [PMID: 36875381 PMCID: PMC9975596 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1118227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Hepatitis B and C are a threat to public health. Screening of high-risk groups, such as migrants from high-endemic areas, enables early identification and treatment initiation. This systematic review identified barriers and facilitators for hepatitis B and C screening among migrants in the European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA). Methods Following PRISMA guidelines, databases PubMed, Embase via Ovid, and Cochrane were searched for English articles published between 1 July 2015 and 24 February 2022. Articles were included, not restricted to a specific study design, if they elaborated on HBV or HCV screening in migrant populations from countries outside Western Europe, North America, and Oceania, and residing in EU/EEA countries. Excluded were studies with solely an epidemiological or microbiological focus, including only general populations or non-migrant subgroups, or conducted outside the EU/EEA, without qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods. Data appraisal, extraction, and quality assessment were conducted and assessed by two reviewers. Barriers and facilitators were categorized into seven levels based on multiple theoretical frameworks and included factors related to guidelines, the individual health professional, the migrant and community, interaction, the organization and economics, the political and legal level, and innovations. Results The search strategy yielded 2,115 unique articles of which 68 were included. Major identified barriers and facilitators to the success of screening related to the migrant (knowledge and awareness) and community level (culture, religion, support) and the organizational and economic level (capacity, resources, coordinated structures). Given possible language barriers, language support and migrant sensitivity are indispensable for facilitating interaction. Rapid point-of-care-testing is a promising strategy to lower screening barriers. Discussion The inclusion of multiple study designs provided extensive insight into barriers, strategies to lower these barriers, and facilitators to maximize the success of screening. A great variety of factors were revealed on multiple levels, therefore there is no one-size-fits-all approach for screening, and initiatives should be adopted for the targeted group(s), including tailoring to cultural and religious beliefs. We provide a checklist of facilitators and barriers to inform adapted interventions to allow for optimal screening impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chrissy P B Moonen
- Living Lab Public Health, Department of Sexual Health, Infectious Diseases and Environmental Health, South Limburg Public Health Service, Heerlen, Netherlands.,Department of Social Medicine, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Casper D J den Heijer
- Living Lab Public Health, Department of Sexual Health, Infectious Diseases and Environmental Health, South Limburg Public Health Service, Heerlen, Netherlands.,Department of Social Medicine, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Nicole H T M Dukers-Muijrers
- Living Lab Public Health, Department of Sexual Health, Infectious Diseases and Environmental Health, South Limburg Public Health Service, Heerlen, Netherlands.,Department of Health Promotion, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Ragni van Dreumel
- Living Lab Public Health, Department of Sexual Health, Infectious Diseases and Environmental Health, South Limburg Public Health Service, Heerlen, Netherlands
| | - Sabine C J Steins
- Living Lab Public Health, Department of Sexual Health, Infectious Diseases and Environmental Health, South Limburg Public Health Service, Heerlen, Netherlands
| | - Christian J P A Hoebe
- Living Lab Public Health, Department of Sexual Health, Infectious Diseases and Environmental Health, South Limburg Public Health Service, Heerlen, Netherlands.,Department of Social Medicine, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands.,Department of Medical Microbiology, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC+), Maastricht, Netherlands
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8
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Mitchell T, Nayagam JS, Dusheiko G, Agarwal K. Health inequalities in the management of chronic hepatitis B virus infection in patients from sub-Saharan Africa in high-income countries. JHEP REPORTS : INNOVATION IN HEPATOLOGY 2022; 5:100623. [PMID: 36636709 PMCID: PMC9829705 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2022.100623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus disproportionately affects migrant communities in high-income countries, reflecting increased migration from sub-Saharan Africa. Chronic hepatitis B virus is endemic in sub-Saharan Africa, yet the natural history of chronic infection experienced by patients remains incompletely understood, with evidence of variability across genotypes and regions within sub-Saharan Africa. Clinical guidelines recommending treatment thresholds are not specific to sub-Saharan African patients and are based on natural history studies from Western Pacific Asian countries. Access to standard of care treatment is available for sub-Saharan African people with chronic hepatitis B virus infection in high-income countries; however, the evidence base for these treatments was not established in this cohort and areas of uncertainty remain, particularly regarding HCC surveillance and treatment discontinuation. Participation in phase III clinical trials for chronic hepatitis B therapies is almost non-existent amongst sub-Saharan African patients, even when residing in high-income countries that participate in multicentre trials. Engagement with sub-Saharan African patients with chronic hepatitis B in high-income countries is challenging because of the stigma associated with the diagnosis, absence of routine screening systems and the complexities involved in navigating the healthcare system. Nonetheless, improved engagement is critical if we are to achieve global hepatitis B virus elimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Mitchell
- Institute of Liver Studies, King’s College Hospital, London, United Kingdom,Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Australia,Corresponding author. Address: Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, Level 8 A Block, Royal Perth Hospital, 197 Wellington Street, Perth, Western Australia 6000, Australia; Tel.: +61 8 9224 2179.
| | - Jeremy S. Nayagam
- Institute of Liver Studies, King’s College Hospital, London, United Kingdom,Department of Inflammation Biology, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Geoffrey Dusheiko
- Institute of Liver Studies, King’s College Hospital, London, United Kingdom,University College London Medical School, London, UK
| | - Kosh Agarwal
- Institute of Liver Studies, King’s College Hospital, London, United Kingdom
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9
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Carter J, Mehrotra A, Knights F, Deal A, Crawshaw AF, Farah Y, Goldsmith LP, Wurie F, Ciftci Y, Majeed A, Hargreaves S. "We don't routinely check vaccination background in adults": a national qualitative study of barriers and facilitators to vaccine delivery and uptake in adult migrants through UK primary care. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e062894. [PMID: 36216433 PMCID: PMC9557795 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-062894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Explore primary care professionals' views around barriers/facilitators to catch-up vaccination in adult migrants (foreign-born; over 18 years of age) with incomplete/uncertain vaccination status and for routine vaccines to inform development of interventions to improve vaccine uptake and coverage. DESIGN Qualitative interview study with purposive sampling and thematic analysis. SETTING UK primary care. PARTICIPANTS 64 primary care professionals (PCPs): 48 clinical-staff including general practitioners, practice nurses and healthcare assistants; 16 administrative-staff including practice managers and receptionists (mean age 45 years; 84.4% women; a range of ethnicities). RESULTS Participants highlighted direct and indirect barriers to catch-up vaccines in adult migrants who may have missed vaccines as children, missed boosters and not be aligned with the UK's vaccine schedule, from both personal and service-delivery levels, with themes including: lack of training and knowledge of guidance among staff; unclear or incomplete vaccine records; and lack of incentivisation (including financial) and dedicated time and care pathways. Adult migrants were reported as being excluded from many vaccination initiatives, most of which focus exclusively on children. Where delivery models existed, they were diverse and fragmented, but included a combination of opportunistic and proactive programmes. PCPs noted that migrants expressed to them a range of views around vaccines, from positivity to uncertainty, to refusal, with specific nationality groups reported as more hesitant about specific vaccines, including measles, mumps and rubella (MMR). CONCLUSIONS WHO's new Immunization Agenda 2030 calls for greater focus to be placed on delivering vaccination across the life course, targeting underimmunised groups for catch-up vaccination at any age, and UK primary care services therefore have a key role. Vaccine uptake in adult migrants could be improved through implementing new financial incentives or inclusion of adult migrant vaccination targets in Quality Outcomes Framework, strengthening care pathways and training and working directly with local community-groups to improve understanding around the benefits of vaccination at all ages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Carter
- Institute for Infection and Immunity, St George's University of London, London, UK
| | - Anushka Mehrotra
- Institute for Infection and Immunity, St George's University of London, London, UK
| | - Felicity Knights
- Institute for Infection and Immunity, St George's University of London, London, UK
| | - Anna Deal
- Institute for Infection and Immunity, St George's University of London, London, UK
- LSHTM, London, UK
| | - Alison F Crawshaw
- Institute for Infection and Immunity, St George's University of London, London, UK
| | - Yasmin Farah
- Institute for Infection and Immunity, St George's University of London, London, UK
| | - Lucy Pollyanna Goldsmith
- Infection and Immunity Research Institute, and Population Health Research Institute, St George's University of London, London, UK
| | | | | | - Azeem Majeed
- Primary Care, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Sally Hargreaves
- Institute for Infection and Immunity, St George's University of London, London, UK
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10
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Chang WH, Mueller SH, Chung SC, Foster GR, Lai AG. Increased burden of cardiovascular disease in people with liver disease: unequal geographical variations, risk factors and excess years of life lost. J Transl Med 2022; 20:2. [PMID: 34980174 PMCID: PMC8722174 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-021-03210-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background People with liver disease are at increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD), however, there has yet been an investigation of incidence burden, risk, and premature mortality across a wide range of liver conditions and cardiovascular outcomes. Methods We employed population-wide electronic health records (EHRs; from 1998 to 2020) consisting of almost 4 million adults to assess regional variations in disease burden of five liver conditions, alcoholic liver disease (ALD), autoimmune liver disease, chronic hepatitis B infection (HBV), chronic hepatitis C infection (HCV) and NAFLD, in England. We analysed regional differences in incidence rates for 17 manifestations of CVD in people with or without liver disease. The associations between biomarkers and comorbidities and risk of CVD in patients with liver disease were estimated using Cox models. For each liver condition, we estimated excess years of life lost (YLL) attributable to CVD (i.e., difference in YLL between people with or without CVD). Results The age-standardised incidence rate for any liver disease was 114.5 per 100,000 person years. The highest incidence was observed in NAFLD (85.5), followed by ALD (24.7), HCV (6.0), HBV (4.1) and autoimmune liver disease (3.7). Regionally, the North West and North East regions consistently exhibited high incidence burden. Age-specific incidence rate analyses revealed that the peak incidence for liver disease of non-viral aetiology is reached in individuals aged 50–59 years. Patients with liver disease had a two-fold higher incidence burden of CVD (2634.6 per 100,000 persons) compared to individuals without liver disease (1339.7 per 100,000 persons). When comparing across liver diseases, atrial fibrillation was the most common initial CVD presentation while hypertrophic cardiomyopathy was the least common. We noted strong positive associations between body mass index and current smoking and risk of CVD. Patients who also had diabetes, hypertension, proteinuric kidney disease, chronic kidney disease, diverticular disease and gastro-oesophageal reflex disorders had a higher risk of CVD, as do patients with low albumin, raised C-reactive protein and raised International Normalized Ratio levels. All types of CVD were associated with shorter life expectancies. When evaluating excess YLLs by age of CVD onset and by liver disease type, differences in YLLs, when comparing across CVD types, were more pronounced at younger ages. Conclusions We developed a public online app (https://lailab.shinyapps.io/cvd_in_liver_disease/) to showcase results interactively. We provide a blueprint that revealed previously underappreciated clinical factors related to the risk of CVD, which differed in the magnitude of effects across liver diseases. We found significant geographical variations in the burden of liver disease and CVD, highlighting the need to devise local solutions. Targeted policies and regional initiatives addressing underserved communities might help improve equity of access to CVD screening and treatment. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12967-021-03210-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wai Hoong Chang
- Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Sheng-Chia Chung
- Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, UK
| | - Graham R Foster
- Barts Liver Centre, Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Alvina G Lai
- Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, UK.
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11
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Cinardo P, Farrant O, Gunn K, Ward A, Eisen S, Longley N. Screening for neglected tropical diseases and other infections in refugee and asylum-seeker populations in the United Kingdom. Ther Adv Infect Dis 2022; 9:20499361221116680. [PMID: 35958977 PMCID: PMC9358592 DOI: 10.1177/20499361221116680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Asylum-seekers and refugees have an increased burden of infections compared with the general population. This has been widely recognised by countries welcoming those fleeing conflict and persecution; however, there are no screening standardised guidelines and regulatory processes. Identification of certain neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and other infections is important for the health and well-being of the individual in addition to public health and biosecurity. In the United Kingdom, screening for infections at port of entry or after arrival is not mandatory. Those on refugee resettlement programmes will have infection screening as part of their pre-entry health assessment, but no such system exists for those claiming asylum in the United Kingdom. In this article, we have reviewed published, peer-reviewed articles looking at the approaches to screening for NTDs and infectious diseases in the United Kingdom. In addition to this, we have reviewed the literature looking at the acceptability, barriers and facilitators of these screening practices. We found that there is a heterogeneous approach to screening practices in the United Kingdom and a paucity of data to support a single ‘best practice’ approach. Based on our findings, we have made recommendations and consideration for NTD screening strategies and highlighted important areas for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Cinardo
- Clinical Research Fellow, Acute Medicine, University College Hospital, 235 Euston Road, London, NW1 2BU, London, UK
| | - Olivia Farrant
- Infectious Diseases, Hospital for Tropical Diseases, London, UK; Acute Medicine, University College Hospital, London, UK
| | - Kimberlee Gunn
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College Hospital, London, UK
| | - Allison Ward
- Children's & Adolescent Services, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Sarah Eisen
- Children and Young People's Services, University College Hospital, London, UK
| | - Nicky Longley
- Infectious Diseases and Travel Medicine, Hospital for Tropical Diseases, London, UK
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12
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Prevalence and associated risk factors for hepatitis B and C viruses among refugee populations living in Mahama, Rwanda: A cross-sectional study. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0257917. [PMID: 34634039 PMCID: PMC8504757 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION As part of the integration of refugees into Rwanda's national hepatitis C elimination agenda, a mass screening campaign for hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) was conducted among Burundian refugees living in Mahama Camp, Eastern Rwanda. This cross-sectional survey used data from the screening campaign to report on the epidemiology of viral hepatitis in this setting. METHODS Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) were used to screen for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis C antibody (anti-HCV) among people of ≥15years old. We calculated seroprevalence for HBsAg and anti-HCV by age and sex and also calculated age-and-sex adjusted risk ratios (ARR) for other possible risk factors. RESULTS Of the 26,498 screened refugees, 1,006 (3.8%) and 297 (1.1%) tested positive for HBsAg and Anti-HCV, respectively. HBsAg was more prevalent among men than women and most common among people 25-54 years old. Anti-HCV prevalence increased with age group with no difference between sexes. After adjusting for age and sex, having a household contact with HBsAg was associated with 1.59 times higher risk of having HBsAg (95% CI: 1.27, 1.99) and having a household contact with anti-HCV was associated with 3.66 times higher risk of Anti-HCV (95% CI: 2.26, 5.93). Self-reporting having HBV, HCV, liver disease, or previously screened for HBV and HCV were significantly associated with both HBsAg and anti-HCV, but RDT-confirmed HBsAg and anti-HCV statuses were not associated with each other. Other risk factors for HBsAg included diabetes (ARR = 1.97, 95% CI: 1.08, 3.59) and family history of hepatitis B (ARR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.11, 1.56) and for anti-HCV included heart disease (ARR = 1.91, 95% CI: 1.30, 2.80) and history of surgery (ARR = 1.70, 95% CI: 1.24, 2.32). CONCLUSION Sero-prevalence and risks factors for hepatitis B and C among Burundian were comparable to that in the Rwandan general population. Contact tracing among household members of identified HBsAg and anti-HCV infected case may be an effective approach to targeted hepatitis screening given the high risk among self-reported cases. Expanded access to voluntary testing may be needed to improve access to hepatitis treatment and care in other refugee settings.
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13
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Roche R, Simmons R, Crawshaw AF, Fisher P, Pareek M, Morton W, Shryane T, Poole K, Verma A, Campos-Matos I, Mandal S. What do primary care staff know and do about blood borne virus testing and care for migrant patients? A national survey. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:336. [PMID: 33573638 PMCID: PMC7877334 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-020-10068-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND UK migrants born in intermediate to high prevalence areas for blood borne viruses (BBV) including hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV are at increased risk of these infections. National guidance from Public Health England (PHE) and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends primary care test this population to increase diagnoses and treatment. We aimed to investigate primary care professionals' knowledge of entitlements, and perceptions of barriers, for migrants accessing healthcare, and their policies, and reported practices and influences on provision of BBV testing in migrants. METHODS A pre-piloted questionnaire was distributed between October 2017 and January 2018 to primary care professionals attending the Royal College of General Practitioners and Best Practice in Primary Care conferences, via a link in PHE Vaccine Updates and through professional networks. Survey results were analysed to give descriptive statistics, and responses by respondent characteristics: profession, region, practice size, and frequency of seeing migrant patients. Responses were considered on a per question basis with response rates for each question presented with the results. RESULTS Four hundred fourteen questionnaires were returned with responses varying by question, representing an estimated 5.7% of English GP practices overall. Only 14% of respondents' practices systematically identified migrant patients for testing. Universal opt-out testing was offered to newly registering migrant patients by 18% of respondents for hepatitis B, 17% for hepatitis C and 21% for HIV. Knowledge of healthcare entitlements varied; fewer clinical staff knew that general practice consultations were free to all migrants (76%) than for urgent care (88%). Performance payment structure (76%) had the greatest reported influence on testing, followed by PHE and Clinical Commissioning Group recommendations (73% each). Language and culture were perceived to be the biggest barriers to accessing care. CONCLUSIONS BBV testing for migrant patients in primary care is usually ad hoc, which is likely to lead to testing opportunities being missed. Knowledge of migrants' entitlements to healthcare varies and could affect access to care. Interventions to improve professional awareness and identification of migrant patients requiring BBV testing are needed to reduce the undiagnosed and untreated burden of BBVs in this vulnerable population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Roche
- Blood Safety, Hepatitis, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) and HIV Service, National Infection Service, Public Health England, 61 Colindale Avenue, London, NW9 5EQ, UK.
- The National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit (NIHR HPRU) in Blood Borne and Sexually Transmitted Infections at University College London, Gower St, London, WC1E 6BT, UK.
| | - Ruth Simmons
- Blood Safety, Hepatitis, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) and HIV Service, National Infection Service, Public Health England, 61 Colindale Avenue, London, NW9 5EQ, UK
- The National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit (NIHR HPRU) in Blood Borne and Sexually Transmitted Infections at University College London, Gower St, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Alison F Crawshaw
- Migration Health, Health Improvement, Public Health England, Wellington House, 133-155 Waterloo Road, London, SE1 8UG, UK
- Institute for Infection and Immunity, St George's, University of London, Cranmer Terrace, Tooting, London, SW17 0RE, UK
| | - Pip Fisher
- University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Manish Pareek
- Department of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK
| | - Will Morton
- Public Health England Yorkshire and the Humber, 2nd Floor, Blenheim House, Duncombe Street, Leeds, LS1 4PL, UK
| | - Theresa Shryane
- Public Health England North West, 2nd Floor, 3 Piccadilly Place, London Road, Manchester, M1 3BN, UK
| | - Kristina Poole
- Public Health England North West, 2nd Floor, 3 Piccadilly Place, London Road, Manchester, M1 3BN, UK
| | - Arpana Verma
- University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Ines Campos-Matos
- Migration Health, Health Improvement, Public Health England, Wellington House, 133-155 Waterloo Road, London, SE1 8UG, UK
- Institute of Epidemiology and Healthcare, University College London (UCL), 1-19 Torrington Place WC1E 7HB, London, UK
| | - Sema Mandal
- Blood Safety, Hepatitis, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) and HIV Service, National Infection Service, Public Health England, 61 Colindale Avenue, London, NW9 5EQ, UK
- The National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit (NIHR HPRU) in Blood Borne and Sexually Transmitted Infections at University College London, Gower St, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
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14
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Hargreaves S, Nellums LB, Johnson C, Goldberg J, Pantelidis P, Rahman A, Friedland FMedSci JS. Delivering multi-disease screening to migrants for latent TB and blood-borne viruses in an emergency department setting: A feasibility study. Travel Med Infect Dis 2020; 36:101611. [PMID: 32126293 PMCID: PMC7493708 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2020.101611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Revised: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Screening for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in migrants is important for elimination of tuberculosis in low-incidence countries, alongside the need to detect blood-borne infections to align with new guidelines on migrant screening for multiple infections in European countries. However, feasibility needs to be better understood. METHODS We did a feasibility study to test an innovative screening model offering combined testing for LTBI (QuantiFERON), HIV, hepatitis B/C in a UK emergency department, with two year follow-up. RESULTS 96 economic migrants, asylum seekers and refugees from 43 countries were screened (46 [47.9%] women; mean age 35.2 years [SD 11.7; range 18-73]; mean time in the UK 4.8 years [SD 3.2; range 0-10]). 14 migrants (14.6%) tested positive for LTBI alongside HIV [1], hepatitis B [2], and hepatitis C [1] Of migrants with LTBI, 5 (35.7%) were successfully engaged in treatment. 74 (77.1%) migrants reported no previous screening since migrating to the UK. CONCLUSION Multi-disease screening in this setting is feasible and merits being further tested in larger-scale studies. However, greater emphasis must be placed on ensuring successful treatment outcomes. We identified major gaps in current screening provision; most migrants had been offered no prior screening despite several years since migration, which holds relevance to policy and practice in the UK and other European countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally Hargreaves
- Institute for Infection & Immunity, St. George's, University of London, United Kingdom.
| | - Laura B Nellums
- Institute for Infection & Immunity, St. George's, University of London, United Kingdom; Division of Epidemiology and Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Catherine Johnson
- Section of Infectious Diseases & Immunity, Imperial College London, United Kingdom
| | - Jacob Goldberg
- Section of Infectious Diseases & Immunity, Imperial College London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Asif Rahman
- Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
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15
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Ayele A, Abera D, Hailu M, Birhanu M, Desta K. Prevalence and associated risk factors for Hepatitis B and C viruses among refugees in Gambella, Ethiopia. BMC Public Health 2020; 20:721. [PMID: 32429964 PMCID: PMC7236441 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-020-08893-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Currently, there is an increased flow of refugees into Ethiopia from neighboring countries. However, there are no post-arrival screening mechanisms for hepatitis B and C viruses which could be an additional burden for the local population. Hence, this study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors for hepatitis B and C viruses among refugees in Gambella, Ethiopia. It also aimed to determine the knowledge, attitude, and practice concerning hepatitis B and C viruses among participants. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted among 453 refugees in Gambella, Ethiopia from January until May 2018. A questionnaire was used to collect data on refugees' socio-demographic, risk factors, and KAP of hepatitis B and C infections. Five milliliters of blood sample were collected from each participant and the serum was used for HBsAg and anti-HCV antibody screening rapid tests. Positive samples were further tested by ELISA method. Data were performed using SPSS version 20, and a p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS The overall prevalence of HBsAg and anti-HCV among refugees was 7.3% (33/453) and 2.0% (9/453) respectively. Of these, 6.8% (25/370) and 1.4% (5/370) of females were positive for HBsAg and anti-HCV, whereas 9.6% (8/83) and 4.8% (4/83) of males were positive for HBsAg and anti-HCV. The age group of 18-29 and 30-41 years old were related to HCV infection (P = 0.003 and P = 0.020). However, proposed risk factors were not related to HBV and HCV infections. Knowledge assessment showed that 86.5% (392/453) did not know how HBV and HCV infections are transmitted, and 86.8% (393/453) had no information about the availability of HBV vaccine. CONCLUSION This study showed intermediate prevalence of hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus in a large refugee camp in Ethiopia. The prevalence of hepatitis C virus was found to increase with age, but no other risk factor for either virus identified as significant. Refugees' understanding of hepatitis B and C was very limited. This indicates the need for screening policy to be implemented and integrated with other health services and awareness creation about the infection in all refugee camps of Gambella.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abiyu Ayele
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Ethiopian Airport, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Dessie Abera
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
| | - Melese Hailu
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Muluken Birhanu
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Assosa University, Assosa, Ethiopia
| | - Kassu Desta
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Abstract
SUMMARY In this paper we build on work investigating the feasibility of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing in emergency departments (EDs), estimating the prevalence of hepatitis B, C and HIV infections among persons attending two inner-London EDs, identifying factors associated with testing positive in an ED. We also undertook molecular characterisation to look at the diversity of the viruses circulating in these individuals, and the presence of clinically significant mutations which impact on treatment and control.Blood-borne virus (BBV) testing in non-traditional settings is feasible, with emergency departments (ED) potentially effective at reaching vulnerable and underserved populations. We investigated the feasibility of BBV testing within two inner-London EDs. Residual samples from biochemistry for adults (⩾18 years) attending The Royal Free London Hospital (RFLH) or the University College London Hospital (UCLH) ED between January and June 2015 were tested for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)Ag/Ab, anti-hepatitis C (HCV) and HBsAg. PCR and sequence analysis were conducted on reactive samples. Sero-prevalence among persons attending RFH and UCLH with residual samples (1287 and 1546), respectively, were 1.1% and 1.0% for HBsAg, 1.6% and 2.3% for anti-HCV, 0.9% and 1.6% for HCV RNA, and 1.3% and 2.2% for HIV. For RFH, HBsAg positivity was more likely among persons of black vs. white ethnicity (odds ratio 9.08; 95% confidence interval 2.72-30), with anti-HCV positivity less likely among females (0.15, 95% CI 0.04-0.50). For UCLH, HBsAg positivity was more likely among non-white ethnicity (13.34, 95% CI 2.20-80.86 (Asian); 8.03, 95% CI 1.12-57.61 (black); and 8.11, 95% CI 1.13-58.18 (other/mixed)). Anti-HCV positivity was more likely among 36-55 year olds vs. ⩾56 years (7.69, 95% CI 2.24-26.41), and less likely among females (0.24, 95% CI 0.09-0.65). Persons positive for HIV-markers were more likely to be of black vs. white ethnicity (4.51, 95% CI 1.63-12.45), and less likely to have one ED attendance (0.39, 95% CI 0.17-0.88), or female (0.12, 95% CI 0.04-0.42). These results indicate that BBV-testing in EDs is feasible, providing a basis for further studies to explore provider and patient acceptability, referral into care and cost-effectiveness.
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Martin NK, Vickerman P, Khakoo S, Ghosh A, Ramsay M, Hickman M, Williams J, Miners A. Chronic hepatitis B virus case-finding in UK populations born abroad in intermediate or high endemicity countries: an economic evaluation. BMJ Open 2019; 9:e030183. [PMID: 31256040 PMCID: PMC6609059 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-030183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2019] [Revised: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The majority (>90%) of new or undiagnosed cases of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in the UK are among individuals born in countries with intermediate or high prevalence levels (≥2%). We evaluate the cost-effectiveness of increased HBV case-finding among UK migrant populations, based on a one-time opt out case-finding approach in a primary care setting. DESIGN Cost-effectiveness evaluation. A decision model based on a Markov approach was built to assess the progression of HBV infection with and without treatment as a result of case-finding. The model parameters, including the cost and effects of case-finding and treatment, were estimated from the literature. All costs were expressed in 2017/2018 British Pounds (GBPs) and health outcomes as quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). INTERVENTION Hepatitis B virus case-finding among UK migrant populations born in countries with intermediate or high prevalence levels (≥2%) in a primary care setting compared with no intervention (background testing). RESULTS At a 2% hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) prevalence, the case-finding intervention led to a mean incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of £13 625 per QALY gained which was 87% and 98% likely of being cost-effective at willingness to pay (WTP) thresholds of £20 000 and £30 000 per additional QALY, respectively. Sensitivity analyses indicated that the intervention would remain cost-effective under a £20 000 WTP threshold as long as HBsAg prevalence among the migrant population is at least 1%. However, the results were sensitive to a number of parameters, especially the time horizon and probability of treatment uptake. CONCLUSIONS HBV case-finding using a one-time opt out approach in primary care settings is very likely to be cost-effective among UK migrant populations with HBsAg prevalence ≥1% if the WTP for an additional QALY is around £20 000.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha K Martin
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Peter Vickerman
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Salim Khakoo
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | | | - Mary Ramsay
- Immunisation, Public Health England, London, UK
- Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - M Hickman
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Jack Williams
- Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Alec Miners
- Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Sinn DH, Kang D, Kang M, Paik SW, Guallar E, Cho J, Gwak GY. Late presentation of hepatitis B among patients with newly diagnosed hepatocellular carcinoma: a national cohort study. BMC Cancer 2019; 19:286. [PMID: 30922251 PMCID: PMC6440099 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-019-5508-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2018] [Accepted: 03/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Recently, the concept of “late presentation with viral hepatitis” was introduced to help quantify the proportion of patients missing timely diagnosis and treatment for viral hepatitis. The clinical implications of late presentation of hepatitis B at the population level, however, are largely unexplored. Methods Using newly-diagnosed hepatitis B related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients (N = 1276) from the Korean National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort, a nationally representative cohort study was conducted between 2002 and 2013. HCC patients were classified into 3 groups: late presentation of hepatitis B (no prior clinic visits for hepatitis B before HCC diagnosis), irregular visits (irregular pattern of outpatient clinic visits), and regular visits (regular pattern of outpatient clinic visits). Results The proportion of patients with late presentation decreased from 50.8% in 2003 to 23.1% in 2013. In multivariable analysis compared with patients in the regular visits group, patients with late presentation were more likely to be younger and to be in lower income percentiles. After adjusting for age, sex, year of HCC diagnosis, income percentile, and initial treatment, the hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for all-cause mortality comparing the late presentation and irregular visits groups to the regular visits group were 1.76 (1.42–2.18) and 1.31 (1.06–1.61), respectively. Conclusion Timely diagnosis and treatment for hepatitis B related HCC was suboptimal at the population level. More intensive strategies to minimize late presentation for hepatitis B are needed, with special attention to younger people and lower income levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Hyun Sinn
- Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 81 Irwon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06351, South Korea
| | - Danbee Kang
- Department of Clinical Research Design and Evaluation, SAIHST, Sungkyunkwan University, 81 Irwon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06351, South Korea
| | - Minwoong Kang
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Seung Woon Paik
- Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 81 Irwon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06351, South Korea
| | - Eliseo Guallar
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, South Korea.,Departments of Epidemiology and Medicine and Welch Center for Prevention, Epidemiology and Clinical Research, Johns Hopkins Medical Institution, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Juhee Cho
- Department of Clinical Research Design and Evaluation, SAIHST, Sungkyunkwan University, 81 Irwon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06351, South Korea. .,Center for Clinical Epidemiology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, South Korea. .,Departments of Epidemiology and Medicine and Welch Center for Prevention, Epidemiology and Clinical Research, Johns Hopkins Medical Institution, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Geum-Youn Gwak
- Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 81 Irwon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06351, South Korea.
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19
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Hepatitis case finding among migrants in primary care. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol 2018; 4:3-4. [PMID: 30477809 DOI: 10.1016/s2468-1253(18)30385-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2018] [Revised: 11/02/2018] [Accepted: 11/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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20
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How effective are approaches to migrant screening for infectious diseases in Europe? A systematic review. THE LANCET. INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2018; 18:e259-e271. [PMID: 29778396 DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(18)30117-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2017] [Revised: 01/26/2018] [Accepted: 02/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Rates of migration to Europe, and within Europe, have increased in recent years, with considerable implications for health systems. Migrants in Europe face a disproportionate burden of tuberculosis, HIV, and hepatitis B and C, yet experience a large number of barriers to accessing statutory health care on arrival. A better understanding of how to deliver effective and cost-effective screening, vaccination, and health services to this group is now crucial. We did a systematic review to document and assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of approaches used for infectious diseases screening, and to explore facilitators and barriers experienced by migrants to accessing screening programmes. Following PRISMA guidelines, we searched Embase, PubMed, PsychINFO, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science (1989 to July 1, 2015, updated on Jan 1, 2018), with no language restrictions, and systematically approached experts across the European Union (EU) for grey literature. Inclusion criteria were primary research studies assessing screening interventions for any infectious disease in the migrant (foreign-born) population residing in EU or European Economic Area (EEA) countries. Primary outcomes were the following effectiveness indicators: uptake of screening, coverage, infections detected, and treatment outcomes. Of 4112 unique records, 47 studies met our inclusion criteria, from ten European countries (Belgium, Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the UK) encompassing 248 402 migrants. We found that most European countries screening migrants focus on single diseases only-predominantly active or latent tuberculosis infection-and specifically target asylum seekers and refugees, with 22 studies reporting on other infections (including HIV and hepatitis B and C). An infection was detected in 3·74% (range 0·00-95·16) of migrants. Latent tuberculosis had the highest prevalence across all infections (median 15·02% [0·35-31·81]). Uptake of screening by migrants was high (median 79·50% [18·62-100·00]), particularly in primary health-care settings (uptake 96·77% [76·00-100·00]). However, in 24·62% (0·12-78·99) of migrants screening was not completed and a final diagnosis was not made. Pooled data highlight high treatment completion in migrants (83·79%, range 0·00-100·00), yet data were highly heterogeneous for this outcome, masking important disparities between studies and infections, with only 54·45% (35·71-72·27) of migrants with latent tuberculosis ultimately completing treatment after screening. Coverage of the migrant population in Europe is low (39·29% [14·53-92·50]). Data on cost-effectiveness were scarce, but suggest moderate to high cost-effectiveness of migrant screening programmes depending on migrant group and disease targeted. European countries have adopted a variety of approaches to screening migrants for infections; however, these are limited in scope to single diseases and a narrow subset of migrants, with low coverage. More emphasis must be placed on developing innovative and sustainable strategies to facilitate screening and treatment completion and improve health outcomes, encompassing multiple key infections with consideration given to a wider group of high-risk migrants. Policy makers and researchers involved with global migration need to ensure a longer-term view on improving health outcomes in migrant populations as they integrate into health systems in host countries.
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21
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Ahmad AA, Falla AM, Duffell E, Noori T, Bechini A, Reintjes R, Veldhuijzen IK. Estimating the scale of chronic hepatitis B virus infection among migrants in EU/EEA countries. BMC Infect Dis 2018; 18:34. [PMID: 29325525 PMCID: PMC5765695 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-017-2921-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2017] [Accepted: 12/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Amena A Ahmad
- Faculty Life Sciences, Department of Health Sciences, Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, Ulmenliet 20, 21033, Hamburg, Germany. .,Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Abby M Falla
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Wytemaweg 80, 3015, Rotterdam, CN, Netherlands.,Division of Infectious Disease Control, Municipal Public Health Service Rotterdam-Rijnmond, Schiedamsedijk 95, 3011, Rotterdam, EN, Netherlands
| | - Erika Duffell
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Granits väg 8, 171 65 Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Teymur Noori
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Granits väg 8, 171 65 Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Angela Bechini
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Viale G.B. Morgagni, 48, 50134, Florence, Italy
| | - Ralf Reintjes
- Faculty Life Sciences, Department of Health Sciences, Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, Ulmenliet 20, 21033, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Irene K Veldhuijzen
- Division of Infectious Disease Control, Municipal Public Health Service Rotterdam-Rijnmond, Schiedamsedijk 95, 3011, Rotterdam, EN, Netherlands.,Center for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3721, Bilthoven, MA, Netherlands
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22
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Eiset AH, Wejse C. Review of infectious diseases in refugees and asylum seekers-current status and going forward. Public Health Rev 2017; 38:22. [PMID: 29450094 PMCID: PMC5810046 DOI: 10.1186/s40985-017-0065-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2016] [Accepted: 08/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
An unprecedented rise in the number of asylum seekers and refugees was seen in Europe in 2015, and it seems that numbers are not going to be reduced considerably in 2016. Several studies have tried to estimate risk of infectious diseases associated with migration but only very rarely these studies make a distinction on reason for migration. In these studies, workers, students, and refugees who have moved to a foreign country are all taken to have the same disease epidemiology. A common disease epidemiology across very different migrant groups is unlikely, so in this review of infectious diseases in asylum seekers and refugees, we describe infectious disease prevalence in various types of migrants. We identified 51 studies eligible for inclusion. The highest infectious disease prevalence in refugee and asylum seeker populations have been reported for latent tuberculosis (9-45%), active tuberculosis (up to 11%), and hepatitis B (up to 12%). The same population had low prevalence of malaria (7%) and hepatitis C (up to 5%). There have been recent case reports from European countries of cutaneous diphtheria, louse-born relapsing fever, and shigella in the asylum-seeking and refugee population. The increased risk that refugees and asylum seekers have for infection with specific diseases can largely be attributed to poor living conditions during and after migration. Even though we see high transmission in the refugee populations, there is very little risk of spread to the autochthonous population. These findings support the efforts towards creating a common European standard for the health reception and reporting of asylum seekers and refugees.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christian Wejse
- Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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Migrant health. Br J Gen Pract 2016; 66:405. [DOI: 10.3399/bjgp16x686269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
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