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[Tuberculosis in asylum seekers in The Netherlands]
J V Kuyvenhoven1, C S Lambregts-van Weezenbeek, J A Année-van Bavel
1GGD Groningen Stad en Ommelanden, afd. Infectieziekten.
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde
|March 22, 1997
Summary
Tuberculosis (TB) screening for asylum seekers upon arrival in the Netherlands identified fewer cases with bacteriological confirmation but higher drug resistance and default rates. However, treatment outcomes for confirmed TB cases among asylum seekers were comparable to other patient groups.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Context:
- Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant global health concern, particularly in immigrant populations.
- Early detection and treatment are crucial for controlling TB transmission.
- Asylum seekers represent a vulnerable population that may have different TB risk factors and treatment adherence patterns.
Purpose:
- To compare the characteristics and treatment outcomes of asylum seekers diagnosed with TB shortly after arrival in the Netherlands via mandatory screening.
- To evaluate differences in diagnostic confirmation, drug resistance, and treatment completion rates between obligatory screened asylum seekers, other asylum seekers, and the general TB patient population.
Summary:
- A retrospective study analyzed data from 1582 TB patients in the Netherlands, including 111 asylum seekers identified through initial screening.
- Obligatory screening revealed a lower rate of bacteriological confirmation (31%) compared to other asylum seekers (43%) and TB patients (56%).
- Asylum seekers exhibited higher rates of isoniazid and streptomycin resistance (13% and 19%) and a greater default rate, although cure rates for bacteriologically confirmed TB were similar across groups (82%).
Impact:
- Findings highlight the need for tailored TB management strategies for asylum seekers, considering higher drug resistance and default rates.
- Early detection through screening is valuable, but diagnostic challenges and adherence issues require attention.
- This research informs public health policies for TB control in mobile populations and contributes to understanding TB epidemiology in the Netherlands.