Tuberculosis treatment in a refugee and migrant population: 20 years of experience on the Thai-Burmese border.

Journal article

SETTING: Although tuberculosis (TB) is a curable disease, it remains a major global health problem and an important cause of morbidity and mortality among vulnerable populations, including refugees and migrants. OBJECTIVE: To describe results and experiences over 20 years at a TB programme in refugee camps on the Thai-Burmese border in Tak Province, Thailand, and to identify risk factors associated with adverse outcomes (e.g., default, failure, death). DESIGN: Retrospective review of routine records of 2425 patients admitted for TB treatment in the Mae La TB programme between May 1987 and December 2005. RESULTS: TB cases notified among refugees decreased over 20 years. Among patients treated with a first-, second- or third-line regimen, 77.5% had a successful outcome, 13.5% defaulted, 7.6% died and 1.3% failed treatment. Multivariate analysis for new cases showed higher likelihood of adverse outcomes for patients who were Burmese migrants or Thai villagers, male, aged >15 years or with smear-negative pulmonary TB. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that treatment outcomes depend on the programme's capacity to respond to specific patients' constraints. High-risk groups, such as migrant populations, need a patient-centred approach, and specific, innovative strategies have to be developed based on the needs of the most vulnerable and marginalised populations.

Authors: Minetti, A; Camelique, O; Hsa Thaw, K; Thi, S; Swaddiwudhipong, W

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: international journal of tuberculosis and lung disease : the official journal of the International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease
• Volume: 14
• Issue: 12
• Pages: 1589-1595
• Publication date: 2010-12-01
• EISSN: 1815-7920
• ISSN: 1027-3719
• Language: English
• Keywords: Tuberculosis, Pulmonary; Refugees; Child; Retrospective Studies; Female; Treatment Failure; Adult; Male; Adolescent; Antitubercular Agents; Tuberculosis; Patient-Centered Care; Myanmar; Risk Factors; Humans; Sputum; Middle Aged; Thailand; Young Adult; Treatment Outcome; Multivariate Analysis; Transients and Migrants