Determinants of the lost to follow-up status among patients with tuberculosis who emigrated to the Republic of Korea: a mixed-method study
These findings imply that high LTFU among migrant patients is multifactorial, stemming from personal, clinical, and systemic issues. Addressing this disparity requires targeted interventions, including culturally tailored multilingual educational campaigns, improved medical interpretation, and increased awareness of PPM program eligibility and free treatment. Streamlining interfacility care transfer processes (such as the "Tuberculosis Relief Belt" initiative), expanding PPM coverage, and ensuring access to specialized care for comorbid conditions are also essential. Addressing these multifaceted challenges is critical to reducing LTFU rates and enhancing treatment continuity and outcomes, thereby advancing TB control efforts in ROK's shifting migration context.
Authors
- Ina Jeong (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0937-9833)
- Sooim Sin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4468-311X)
- Chieeun Song
- Sumin Jeon (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4095-9083)
- Soonryu Seo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6252-8984)
- Ah Yeon Han
- Yunhyung Kwon (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7113-4626)
- Joon-Sung Joh (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5044-2742)
- Ji Yeon Lee (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7026-8235)
- Seung Eun Lee (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4173-3337)
- Young‐Hyun Kim (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6046-3873)
- Sung Hye Kim (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9682-894X)
- Inhan Lee (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6222-1843)
- Hyungjun Kim
Institutions
- Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KR)
- National Medical Center (KR)
- Hanyang University (KR)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Frontiers in Public Health
- Published
- 2025-09-12
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1641182
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Tuberculosis Research and Epidemiology
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 1.40