title: [The effect of a strategy to improve adherence of irregular non UE citizens to tuberculosis screening in a clinic of Reggio Emilia].
abstract: Latent tubercolar infection in irregular non EU-citizens in Italy is an important issue of public health. Aim of this paper is to describe the effects of a new organization of the Centre for the health of foreign families of Reggio Emilia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A dedicated nurse, responsible of patients' screening and follow-up, in strict collaboration with a cultural interpreter were made available. Patients adherence to the screening was measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  On 177 eligible patients, 12 (6.7%) refused the Mantoux text. Over the 165 screened patients, 147 (89%) returned to the clinic after 3-4 days. Only 16 (10.8%) needed a phone reminder. Adherence to the screening improved remarkably compared to the previous year (89% vs 68%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A dedicated nurse and the improvement of communication may contribute to improve patients compliance.
authors.affiliation: Terapia intensiva di Cardiochirurgia, Casa di Cura "Villa Salus" Reggio Emilia.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Leone
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bonvicini
authors.forename: Rossano
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fornaciari
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Greci
authors.forename: Mara
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Manghi
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vinceti
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mecugni