Tuberculosis among migrants in Bishkek, the capital of the Kyrgyz Republic

Migrants constituted almost half of all TB patients, drug resistance is prevalent, treatment outcomes unsatisfactory

Abstract

Setting

22 first-line, two second-line and one tertiary health facility in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan.

Objectives

Among migrants, a marginalised population at risk for acquiring and transmitting tuberculosis (TB), we determined the proportion with TB among all registered TB cases. For those registered at primary-level facilities, we then reported on their demographic and clinical profiles and TB treatment outcomes.

Design

This was a retrospective cohort analysis of 2012–2013 programme data.

Results

Of 2153 TB patients registered in all health facilities, 969 (45%) were migrants, of whom 454 were registered in first-line facilities. Of these, 27% were cross-border migrants, 50% had infectious TB and 12% had drug-resistant TB. Treatment success was 74% for new cases and 44% for retreatment TB (the World Health Organization target is 85%). Failure in new and retreatment TB patients was respectively 8% and 25%. Twenty-six individuals started on a first-line anti-tuberculosis regimen failed due to multidrug-resistant TB. Eight (25%) of 32 individuals on a retreatment TB regimen also failed. Loss to follow-up was 10% for new and 19% for retreatment TB.

Conclusion

Migrants constituted almost half of all TB patients, drug resistance is prevalent and treatment outcomes unsatisfactory. Fostering inter-country collaboration and prioritising rapid TB diagnostics (Xpert® MTB/ RIF) and innovative ways forward for improving treatment outcomes is urgent.

This research was supported by the UK Department for International Development’s Operational Research Capacity Building Programme led by the International Union Against TB and Lung Disease (The Union)

Citation

Goncharova O, Denisiuk O, Zachariah R, Davtyan K, Nabirova D, Acosta C, Kadyrov A. Tuberculosis among migrants in Bishkek, the capital of the Kyrgyz Republic. Public Health Action. 2017;7(3):218–23.

Tuberculosis among migrants in Bishkek, the capital of the Kyrgyz Republic

Updates to this page

Published 21 September 2017