Screening and treatment of latent tuberculosis in a cohort of asylum seekers in Norway.
OBJECTIVE
Asylum seekers are screened for tuberculosis at entry to Norway. We aimed to assess follow-up of screening results at different healthcare levels in relation to demographics, screening results and organizational factors, and how this influenced treatment of latent tuberculosis.


METHODS
All asylum seekers >or=18 years with a Mantoux test >or=6 mm or positive x-ray findings who arrived at the National Reception Centre from January 2005 to June 2006, were included. Data were collected from public health authorities in the municipality where the asylum seekers had moved, and from internists in case they had been referred to a specialist. Specialists are responsible for treating latent tuberculosis. Individual subjects were matched with the National Tuberculosis Register to which everybody who had started treatment for latent tuberculosis was reported.


RESULTS
Of 4,643 asylum seekers, 2,237 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. By May 2008, 30 persons had started treatment for latent TB, a median of 17 months (range 3-36) after arrival. A Mantoux test >or=15 mm on arrival was significantly associated with treatment. Demographic factors influenced follow-up in primary healthcare while screening results did not. Referral to specialist was related to screening results. Several specialists were reluctant to diagnose and treat latent tuberculosis and to treat persons without a permanent visa in particular.


CONCLUSIONS
Just 1% of the study group received treatment for latent tuberculosis and with a long time delay. The reason for this may be organizational factors affecting follow-up and referral and specialists not following current guidelines.
Harstad
Ingunn
I
Department of Public Health and General Practice, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway. ingunn.harstad@ntnu.no
Heldal
Einar
E
Steinshamn
Sigurd L
SL
Garåsen
Helge
H
Winje
Brita A
BA
Jacobsen
Geir W
GW
D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000276:immunology; D055985:Latent Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008400:Mass Chest X-Ray; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D012036:Refugees; D012042:Registries; D014374:Tuberculin Test; D055815:Young Adult
D007371:Interferon-gamma