International migration, refugees, and spread of tuberculosis in Brazil: Analysis of clusters, trends, and associated factors (2010-2021)

• Published in: Tropical medicine and infectious disease Vol. 9; no. 4; pp. 1 - 14
• Main Authors: Alves, Yan Mathias, Berra, Thaís Zamboni, Tavares, Reginaldo Bazon Vaz, Popolin, Marcela Antunes Paschoal, da Costa, Fernanda Bruzadelli Paulino, de Jezus, Sonia Vivian, Ferezin, Letícia Perticarrara, Tártaro, Ariela Fehr, Serrano-Gallardo, Maria Del Pilar, Pinto, Ione Carvalho, Maciel, Ethel Leonor Noia, Arcêncio, Ricardo Alexandre
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel, Switzerland MDPI 01.04.2024; MDPI AG
• Subjects: Analysis; Coronaviruses; Data processing; Developing countries; Disease control; Disease transmission; Econometric models; Economic aspects; Emigration and immigration; Epidemiology; Finance; Forecasts and trends; Health aspects; Health services; Hypotheses; immigration; Infectious diseases; Information systems; International; LDCs; Migration; Population; Refugees; Services for; spatial analysis; Spatial analysis (Statistics); Time series; Treatment; Trends; Tuberculosis; Brazil; Venezuela; South America; Ecuador; Chile; immigration; spatial analysis; tuberculosis
• ISSN: 2414-6366; 2414-6366
• DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed9040082

Background: International migration is a global phenomenon with significant implica- tions on the health-disease process due to exposures along transit routes and local/destination epidemiological indicators. We aimed to analyze the transmission and spread of tuberculosis among international migrants and refugees from a spatiotemporal perspective and the associated factors. Method: This was an ecological study of cases of tuberculosis in international migrants in Brazil, between 2010 and 2021. Annual incidence rates were calculated and spatiotemporal scan techniques were used to identify municipalities at risk. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with tuberculosis in international migrants. Results: A total of 4037 cases of tuberculosis were reported in Brazil in international migrants. Municipalities at risk for this event were identified using the spatiotemporal scan technique, and a cluster was identified with ITT: +52.01% and ETT: +25.60%. A higher probability of TB infection was identified in municipalities with a TB incidence rate >14.40 cases/100 inhabitants, population >11,042 inhabitants, Gini index >0.49, and illiteracy rate >13.12%. A lower probability was found in municipalities with average per capita household income >BRL 456.43. Conclusions: It is recommended that health authorities implement monitoring and rigorous follow-up in affected areas to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment completion for international migrants, preventing disease spread to other communities.