A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Tuberculosis incidence in foreign-born people residing in European countries in 2020
Authors: Vasiliu Anca, Koehler Niklas, Altpeter Ekkehardt, Aegisdottir Tinna Ran, Amerali Marina, de Onate Wouter Arrazola, Bakos Agnes, D'Amato Stefania, Cirillo Daniela Maria, van Crevel Reinout, Davidaviciene Edita, Demuth Irene, Dominguez Jose, Duarte Raquel, Guenther Gunar, Guthmann Jean-Paul, Hatzianastasiou Sophia, Holm Louise Hedevang, Herrador Zaida, Hribar Urska, Huberty Conny, Ibraim Elmira, Jackson Sarah, Jensenius Mogens, Josefsdottir Kamilla Sigridur, Koch Anders, Korzeniewska-Kosela Maria, Kuksa Liga, Kunstt Heinke, Lienhardt Christian, Mahler Beatrice, Makek Mateja Jankovic, Muylle Inge, Normark Johan, Pace-Asciak Analita, Petrovic Goranka, Pieridou Despo, Russo Giulia, Rzhepishevska Olena, Salzer Helmut J. F., Marques Marta Sa, Schmid Daniela, Solovic Ivan, Sukholytka Mariya, Svetina Petra, Tyufekchieva Mariya, Vasankari Tuula, Viiklepp Piret, Villand Kersti, Wallenfels Jiri, Wesolowski Stefan, Mandalakas Anna-Maria, Zenner Dominik, Lange Christoph, TBnet
Publisher: European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
Publication year: 2023
Journal: Eurosurveillance
Journal name in source: EUROSURVEILLANCE
Article number: 2300051
Volume: 28
Issue: 42
ISSN: 1025-496X
eISSN: 1560-7917
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2023.28.42.2300051
Web address : https://doi.org/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2023.28.42.2300051
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/181944167
Background
European-specific policies for tuberculosis (TB) elimination require identification of key populations that benefit from TB screening.
Aim
We aimed to identify groups of foreign-born individuals residing in European countries that benefit most from targeted TB prevention screening.
Methods
The Tuberculosis Network European Trials group collected, by cross-sectional survey, numbers of foreign-born TB patients residing in European Union (EU) countries, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom (UK) in 2020 from the 10 highest ranked countries of origin in terms of TB cases in each country of residence. Tuberculosis incidence rates (IRs) in countries of residence were compared with countries of origin.
Results
Data on 9,116 foreign-born TB patients in 30 countries of residence were collected. Main countries of origin were Eritrea, India, Pakistan, Morocco, Romania and Somalia. Tuberculosis IRs were highest in patients of Eritrean and Somali origin in Greece and Malta (both > 1,000/100,000) and lowest among Ukrainian patients in Poland (3.6/100,000). They were mainly lower in countries of residence than countries of origin. However, IRs among Eritreans and Somalis in Greece and Malta were five times higher than in Eritrea and Somalia. Similarly, IRs among Eritreans in Germany, the Netherlands and the UK were four times higher than in Eritrea.
Conclusions
Country of origin TB IR is an insufficient indicator when targeting foreign-born populations for active case finding or TB prevention policies in the countries covered here. Elimination strategies should be informed by regularly collected country-specific data to address rapidly changing epidemiology and associated risks.
Keywords: TB; migrants; policy; prevention; refugees.
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