Active and latent tuberculosis in refugees and asylum seekers: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Active and latent tuberculosis in refugees and asylum seekers: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Data
2020
Autores
Proença, Raquel
Souza, Fernanda Mattos
Bastos, Mayara Lisboa
Caetano, Rosângela
Braga, José Ueleres
Faerstein, Eduardo
Trajman, Anete
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BMC Public Health
Resumo
Background: In 2018, there were 70.8 million refugees, asylum seekers and persons displaced by wars and conflicts
worldwide. Many of these individuals face a high risk for tuberculosis in their country of origin, which may be
accentuated by adverse conditions endured during their journey. We summarised the prevalence of active and
latent tuberculosis infection in refugees and asylum seekers through a systematic literature review and meta-
analyses by country of origin and host continent.
Methods: Articles published in Medline, EMBASE, Web of Science and LILACS from January 2000 to August 2017
were searched for, without language restriction. Two independent authors performed the study selection, data
extraction and quality assessment. Random effect models were used to estimate average measures of active and
latent tuberculosis prevalence. Sub-group meta-analyses were performed according to country of origin and host
continent.
Results: Sixty-seven out of 767 identified articles were included, of which 16 entered the meta-analyses. Average
prevalence of active and latent tuberculosis was 1331 per 100 thousand inhabitants [95% confidence interval (CI) =
542–2384] and 37% (95% CI = 23–52%), respectively, both with high level of heterogeneity (variation in estimative
attributable to heterogeneity [I2
] = 98.2 and 99.8%). Prevalence varied more according to countries of origin than
host continent. Ninety-one per cent of studies reported routine screening of recently arrived immigrants in the host
country; two-thirds confirmed tuberculosis bacteriologically. Many studies failed to provide relevant information.
Conclusion: Tuberculosis is a major health problem among refugees and asylum seekers and should be given
special attention in any host continent. To protect this vulnerable population, ensuring access to healthcare for
early detection for prevention and treatment of the disease is essential.
Description
Palavras-chave
Forced migration, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Latent tuberculosis infection, Prevalence, Global health
Citação
Proença R, Mattos Souza F, Lisboa Bastos M, Caetano R, Braga JU, Faerstein E, Trajman A. Active and latent tuberculosis in refugees and asylum seekers: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Public Health. 2020 Jun 3;20(1):838. doi: 10.1186/s12889-020-08907-y.