Epidemiological aspects of tuberculosis among international migrants in a border municipality in Southern Brazil
1
Mestrado Saúde Pública em Região de Fronteira, Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná, Foz do Iguaçu, Brasil
2
Curso de Enfermagem, Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná, Foz do Iguaçu, Brasil
3
Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brasil
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A2726
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major global public health challenge, particularly among vulnerable populations such as international migrants, refugees, and stateless persons1. Multiple barriers to accessing health services increase the risk of illness2. Screening and preventive treatment for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) are priority strategies for disease control, especially in border regions with intense migratory flows. This study aimed to analyse the epidemiological aspects of tuberculosis related to international migrants in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil.
METHODS:
A prospective cohort study was conducted between March and December 2025, involving international migrants aged 18 years or older residing in the municipality of Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná, Brazil — a Brazilian city on the border with Paraguay and Argentina. All participants signed an Informed Consent Form and underwent the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST). Data collection took place in transit shelters, a chemical dependency recovery centre, and a university. Sociodemographic and epidemiological data were obtained through a structured questionnaire. Descriptive analyses and Pearson's chi-squared tests ($\chi^2$) were performed.
RESULTS:
The study included 270 migrants, mostly from South America (n = 210; 77.8%), followed by Central America (n = 57; 21.1%), and Africa (n = 3; 1.1%), with a mean age of 27.6 years (SD = 7.66), and 53.0% (n =143) being male. TST positivity was 10.0% (n = 27). There was a significant association between a reactive TST and age (p = 0.030), male sex (p = 0.021), presence of comorbidities (p = 0.033), and previous contact with TB (p = 0.011). No association was found with the participant's nationality. No cases of active TB disease were identified.
CONCLUSIONS:
The identification of latent tuberculosis cases among international migrants in a border context reinforces the need for systematic screening and prevention strategies targeted at this population to strengthen tuberculosis control.
Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major global public health challenge, particularly among vulnerable populations such as international migrants, refugees, and stateless persons1. Multiple barriers to accessing health services increase the risk of illness2. Screening and preventive treatment for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) are priority strategies for disease control, especially in border regions with intense migratory flows. This study aimed to analyse the epidemiological aspects of tuberculosis related to international migrants in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil.
METHODS:
A prospective cohort study was conducted between March and December 2025, involving international migrants aged 18 years or older residing in the municipality of Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná, Brazil — a Brazilian city on the border with Paraguay and Argentina. All participants signed an Informed Consent Form and underwent the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST). Data collection took place in transit shelters, a chemical dependency recovery centre, and a university. Sociodemographic and epidemiological data were obtained through a structured questionnaire. Descriptive analyses and Pearson's chi-squared tests ($\chi^2$) were performed.
RESULTS:
The study included 270 migrants, mostly from South America (n = 210; 77.8%), followed by Central America (n = 57; 21.1%), and Africa (n = 3; 1.1%), with a mean age of 27.6 years (SD = 7.66), and 53.0% (n =143) being male. TST positivity was 10.0% (n = 27). There was a significant association between a reactive TST and age (p = 0.030), male sex (p = 0.021), presence of comorbidities (p = 0.033), and previous contact with TB (p = 0.011). No association was found with the participant's nationality. No cases of active TB disease were identified.
CONCLUSIONS:
The identification of latent tuberculosis cases among international migrants in a border context reinforces the need for systematic screening and prevention strategies targeted at this population to strengthen tuberculosis control.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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