[Tuberculosis among immigrants in Bilbao (Spain)]

To assess the prevalence of tuberculosis (TB) and latent tuberculous infection among immigrant residents of Bilbao who came from countries where the disease is highly prevalent. We also studied related social and health conditions.

A descriptive study carried out in the San Francisco neighborhood of Bilbao. Subjects were enrolled during a seven-month period by a social worker and by the personnel of a non-governmental organization (Médicos del Mundo) who recruited volunteers from among persons requesting medical or social assistance. The subjects who agreed to participate answered systematic questionnaires on social and medical conditions and were given tuberculin tests and chest X-rays.

We initially evaluated 406 immigrants (mean age 32.5 years; SD 9.7) mainly from sub-Saharan Africa, 83.2% of whom were undocumented. Three hundred six completed the study (75.4%). Compliance was higher among those who applied for medical certificates (p = 0.039) or who were symptomatic (p = 0.016). Thirty-one subjects had been exposed and 0.83% had active TB.

We believe that TB screening tests for recently arrived immigrants are necessary given the high rate of exposure and disease. Incentives and the cooperation of non-governmental organizations could improve acceptance of and compliance with such programs.