The incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis among the homeless in north-eastern Poland

• Authors: Jerzy Romaszko , Adam Buciński , Robert Kuchta , Krzysztof Bednarski , Magdalena Zakrzewska
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease particularly affecting the poorest socioeconomic groups. One such group in Central Europe are the homeless. We developed a prevention programme that targets, among others, homeless individuals in Warmia and Mazury Province (in the northeast of Poland). We investigated 121 homeless persons. We performed surveys, X-rays and microbiological tests of the sputum for TB. Five cases of pulmonary TB were found. The prevalence of TB in this community was estimated at 4132 per 100,000 (4.13%). Efficient TB control justifies continued prevention programmes aimed at the systematic monitoring of the homeless population.

Keywords

EN

Tuberculosis; homelessness; poverty; risk groups; Poland

• Publisher: De Gruyter Open
• Journal: Open Medicine
• Year: 2013
• Volume: 8
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 283-285

Dates

published

1 - 4 - 2013

online

23 - 1 - 2013

Contributors

author

Jerzy Romaszko

• NZOZ Pantamed Ltd, Olsztyn, Poland

author

Adam Buciński

• Department of Biopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Collegium Medicum, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Torun, Bydgoszcz, Poland

author

Robert Kuchta

• Municipal Centre of Social Assistance, Shelter for the Homeless, Olsztyn, Poland

author

Krzysztof Bednarski

• Independent Public Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases Unit, Olsztyn, Poland

author

Magdalena Zakrzewska

• Independent Public Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases Unit, Olsztyn, Poland

References

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Identifiers

DOI

10.2478/s11536-012-0114-9