Homeless with TB: A "long race" vulnerable group (20 years review)

Conclusions: Programmatic interventions implemented during the last 20 years on this vulnerable group had impact on the management of TB cases, increased number of DST and on the follow up of patients.This group of persons with TB and no home represent a weak link in the chain of TB surveillance because of difficult supervision, permanent moving of these contagious patients in the general and "underground" population.The community has no legal support for this category:– medical and social assistance for homeless people with/without TB is not organized– there are insufficient shelters– the NGO’s have a low concern in supporting these patients.Implementation of housing programs, use of DOT and psychological counselling could be effective in improving TB treatment outcomes in homeless.
Source: European Respiratory Journal - Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Tags: Tuberculosis Source Type: research