Building a European database to gather multi-country evidence on active and latent TB screening for migrants

Abstract

Background and aim: Screening for active and latent TB among migrants in low TB incidence countries may constitute an important contribution to TB elimination. E-DETECT TB, a European multi-county collaboration, aims to address the present lack of evidence on effectiveness of migrant TB screening by collating data in an international database and perform cross-country pooled and comparative analyses of screening coverage, results and linkage to care.

Method: A database was established using migrant TB screening data from participating countries' national screening programs, national screening pilots and local research projects. All partner countries contributed to a common agreed protocol with standardized variables, pooling available numerator and denominator screening data from participating countries and sites.

Results: All collaborating members drafted and agreed upon a data sharing accord as well as a protocol that clearly defined responsibilities and data governance principles. The database has been created and data transfer is ongoing.

Conclusion: By persistence and focus the project has overcome considerable administrative, practical and legal challenges. This international collaboration provides greater power of analysis of harmonized data and thereby a unique opportunity to contribute migrant TB screening evidence. E-DETECT TB has started to invite other countries to contribute data to the database.

Keywords: TB screening; database; international collaboration; low-incidence countries; migrants.