H O Essadek1, J Mendioroz2, I C Guiu1, I Barrabeig3, L Clotet4, P Álvarez5, A Rodés6, J Gómez I Prat1. 1. Public and Community Health, Drassanes International Health Unit, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, International Health Program of the Catalan Health Care Institute (PROSICS), Barcelona, Spain. 2. Research Support Unit of Central Catalonia, Catalan Health Institute, Department of Healthcare, Catalan Regional Government, Barcelona, Spain. 3. Epidemiological Surveillance and Public Health Emergency Response Service in Southern Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. 4. Epidemiological Surveillance and Public Health Emergency Response Service in Vallés Occidental and Vallés Oriental, Barcelona, Spain. 5. Epidemiological Surveillance and Public Health Emergency Response Service in Barcelonès Nord i Maresme, Barcelona, Spain. 6. Tuberculosis Control and Prevention Plan, Public and Community Health Agency of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain.
Abstract
Setting: Tuberculosis (TB) control requires the proper identification and treatment of affected patients and investigation of their contacts. In certain vulnerable immigrant groups, however, these tasks may be hindered due to their ethnic and sociocultural characteristics. Objective: To analyse the results of a community programme designed to locate hard-to-reach immigrants with TB. Design: Descriptive study of all cases diagnosed with confirmed TB referred to the Public and Community Health team of the Drassanes International Health Unit in Barcelona during 2012-2014 due to difficulties in tracing these patients. Both cases and contacts were categorised based on their World Health Organization region of origin. The sociodemographic characteristics of each group and the community interventions carried out during the tracing period are described. Results: A total of 122 cases and 316 contacts were detected. As a result of community-based strategies, 73% of the initial cases completed treatment; 3.8% of the contacts were diagnosed with TB, 91.7% of whom were treated appropriately; 17.1% contacts had latent infection, 79.3% of whom completed chemoprophylaxis. Conclusions: Intervention strategies with a community approach for follow-up and control of TB in certain immigrant communities seem to be effective.
Setting: Tuberculosis (TB) control requires the proper identification and treatment of affected patients and investigation of their contacts. In certain vulnerable immigrant groups, however, these tasks may be hindered due to their ethnic and sociocultural characteristics. Objective: To analyse the results of a community programme designed to locate hard-to-reach immigrants with TB. Design: Descriptive study of all cases diagnosed with confirmed TB referred to the Public and Community Health team of the Drassanes International Health Unit in Barcelona during 2012-2014 due to difficulties in tracing these patients. Both cases and contacts were categorised based on their World Health Organization region of origin. The sociodemographic characteristics of each group and the community interventions carried out during the tracing period are described. Results: A total of 122 cases and 316 contacts were detected. As a result of community-based strategies, 73% of the initial cases completed treatment; 3.8% of the contacts were diagnosed with TB, 91.7% of whom were treated appropriately; 17.1% contacts had latent infection, 79.3% of whom completed chemoprophylaxis. Conclusions: Intervention strategies with a community approach for follow-up and control of TB in certain immigrant communities seem to be effective.
Entities:
Keywords:
community health team; health workers; infectious diseases; intervention; vulnerable communities
Authors: Andrea Madarasová Gecková; Peter Jarcuska; Mária Mareková; Daniel Pella; Leonard Siegfried; Pavol Jarcuska; Monika Halánová Journal: Cent Eur J Public Health Date: 2014-03 Impact factor: 1.163