Prospective migrants to countries where the incidence of tuberculosis (TB) is low (low-incidence countries) receive TB screening; however, screening for latent TB infection (LTBI) before immigration is rare. We evaluated the cost-effectiveness of mandated and sponsored preimmigration LTBI screening for migrants to low-incidence countries. We used discrete event simulation to model preimmigration LTBI screening coupled with postarrival follow-up and treatment for those who test positive. Preimmigration interferon-gamma release assay screening and postarrival rifampin treatment was preferred in deterministic analysis. We calculated cost per quality-adjusted life-year gained for migrants from countries with different TB incidences. Our analysis provides evidence of the cost-effectiveness of preimmigration LTBI screening for migrants to low-incidence countries. Coupled with research on sustainability, acceptability, and program implementation, these results can inform policy decisions.
CITATION STYLE
Campbell, J. R., Johnston, J. C., Cook, V. J., Sadatsafavi, M., Elwood, R. K., & Marra, F. (2019). Cost-effectiveness of latent tuberculosis infection screening before immigration to low-incidence countries. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 25(4), 661–671. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2504.171630
Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.