[Limited tuberculin screening participation amongst travellers to countries with high tuberculosis incidence; reason to consider BCG vaccination for some travellers].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the compliance amongst Dutch travellers to high tuberculosis-incidence countries with a screening procedure involving a tuberculin skin test before and after the trip.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
Nine hundred and eighty-eight tuberculin-negative Dutch people who travelled to high tuberculosis-incidence countries for 3 to 12 months were studied for their compliance with an advised screening procedure of repeat tuberculin skin testing 2 to 4 months after return. At 2 of the 4 participating health services, data were also collected on extra calls made and the pertinent time investments.


RESULTS
Five hundred and ninety-nine travellers (61%) were compliant with the screening procedure. Of those for whom the data was available (n = 417), 33% (98/300) of the compliant travellers required extra calls. These took an average of 30 min per extra traveller tested as a result. Compliance varied according to health service and was better amongst travellers to Africa. In addition, non-compliance was independently associated with male sex, work being the main travel purpose, and an undecided duration of travel on departure.


CONCLUSIONS
Compliance of Dutch travellers with tuberculin skin-test screening is limited, particularly if no extra calls are issued. Bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccination appears to be preferable for travellers with undecided travel duration and persons travelling for work on a frequent basis.
Cobelens
F G J
FG
KNCV Tuberculosefonds, afd. Onderzoek en Ontwikkeling, Postbus 146, 2501 CC Den Haag. cobelensf@kncvtbc.nl
Draayer-Jansen
E W E
EW
Schepp-Beelen
J C H M
JC
van Gerven
P J H J
PJ
van Kessel
R J
RJ
van Deutekom
H
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001500:BCG Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D014195:Travel; D014374:Tuberculin Test / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*
D001500:BCG Vaccine
Beperkte deelname aan tuberculinescreening onder reizigers naar landen met hoge tuberculose-incidentie; reden om voor sommigen BCG-vaccinatie te overwegen.