Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection among international migrants, refugees, and stateless persons: prevalence in Brazilian municipalities
1
Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing, University of São Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Brazil
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A619
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
International migration can increase vulnerability to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection (MTBI) due to structural social inequalities, precarious conditions experienced along the migratory journey, and prolonged exposure to high-risk settings. In addition, barriers to timely and continuous access to health services in transit and destination countries contribute to delays in diagnosis, prevention, and treatment, thereby increasing the risk of infection and illness. In this context, the aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection among screened international migrants, refugees, and stateless persons, according to sociodemographic characteristics.
METHODS:
This is a cross-sectional study involving 876 migrants screened in five Brazilian cities: Boa Vista (RR), Belém (PA), Brasília (DF), Ribeirão Preto (SP), and Foz do Iguaçu (PR). All participants underwent screening for MTBI using the tuberculin skin test (TST). Sociodemographic information was collected from the screened participants. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed, calculating absolute (n) and relative (%) frequencies using jamovi software, version 2.6.26.
RESULTS:
A total of 876 migrants were screened, of whom 183 were diagnosed with MTBI, corresponding to a prevalence of 20.9%. Among individuals with MTBI, there was a predominance of males, with 89 (48.6%) cases. Regarding marital status, most participants were single, accounting for 97 (59.6%) individuals. Concerning race/skin color, a high proportion of Indigenous individuals was observed, with 127 (69.4%) cases, followed by Black individuals (16; 8.7%). Among Indigenous participants, there was a marked predominance of the Warao ethnic group, with 113 (89.0%) individuals.
CONCLUSIONS:
The high prevalence of MTBI, particularly its greater concentration among Indigenous individuals of the Warao ethnic group, highlights the need for screening and treatment strategies tailored to highly vulnerable contexts as part of tuberculosis control actions in Brazil.
International migration can increase vulnerability to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection (MTBI) due to structural social inequalities, precarious conditions experienced along the migratory journey, and prolonged exposure to high-risk settings. In addition, barriers to timely and continuous access to health services in transit and destination countries contribute to delays in diagnosis, prevention, and treatment, thereby increasing the risk of infection and illness. In this context, the aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection among screened international migrants, refugees, and stateless persons, according to sociodemographic characteristics.
METHODS:
This is a cross-sectional study involving 876 migrants screened in five Brazilian cities: Boa Vista (RR), Belém (PA), Brasília (DF), Ribeirão Preto (SP), and Foz do Iguaçu (PR). All participants underwent screening for MTBI using the tuberculin skin test (TST). Sociodemographic information was collected from the screened participants. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed, calculating absolute (n) and relative (%) frequencies using jamovi software, version 2.6.26.
RESULTS:
A total of 876 migrants were screened, of whom 183 were diagnosed with MTBI, corresponding to a prevalence of 20.9%. Among individuals with MTBI, there was a predominance of males, with 89 (48.6%) cases. Regarding marital status, most participants were single, accounting for 97 (59.6%) individuals. Concerning race/skin color, a high proportion of Indigenous individuals was observed, with 127 (69.4%) cases, followed by Black individuals (16; 8.7%). Among Indigenous participants, there was a marked predominance of the Warao ethnic group, with 113 (89.0%) individuals.
CONCLUSIONS:
The high prevalence of MTBI, particularly its greater concentration among Indigenous individuals of the Warao ethnic group, highlights the need for screening and treatment strategies tailored to highly vulnerable contexts as part of tuberculosis control actions in Brazil.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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