@article {Hadzibegovic:2005:1027-3719:409,
title = "Determining TB rates and TB case burden for refugees",
journal = "The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease",
parent_itemid = "infobike://iuatld/ijtld",
publishercode ="iuatld",
year = "2005",
volume = "9",
number = "4",
publication date ="2005-04-01T00:00:00",
pages = "409-414",
itemtype = "ARTICLE",
issn = "1027-3719",
eissn = "1815-7920",
url = "https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/iuatld/ijtld/2005/00000009/00000004/art00009",
keyword = "tuberculosis, refugees, foreign-born",
author = "Hadzibegovic, D. S. and Maloney, S. A. and Cookson, S. T. and Oladele, A.",
abstract = "SETTING: DeKalb County, Georgia.OBJECTIVES: To calculate and compare tuberculosis (TB) rates in refugees to US-born, total foreign-born (refugee and other), and other foreign-born persons and to determine the contribution of refugees to the county TB case burden.METHODS: The study included: 1) collection of county TB case numbers and population figures from 1995 through 1999; 2) estimation of the refugee population; 3) comparison of TB rates; and 4) calculation of the refugee TB case burden. Sensitivity analysis was performed on refugee population estimates.RESULTS: From 1995 through 1999, estimating that refugees made up 10% of the foreign-born population, the average TB rate for refugees was 83.2 per 100000, compared with 12.7 for US-born persons. From 1997 through 1999, refugees had a seven-fold greater risk of having TB than US-born persons and a two-fold greater risk than other foreign-born persons. Refugees represented respectively 7.6% and 19.3% of the county and foreign-born TB case burdens. For TB rates to be equal among all foreign-born persons, refugees would need to make up 1525% of the foreign-born population.CONCLUSION: Despite overseas screening, refugees have high TB rates, and contribute substantially to the county TB case burden. Enhanced surveillance and targeted programs to address TB in refugees should be a public health priority.",
}