224 Implementation of a new Tuberculosis-infection entry screening for asylum-seeking children in the Netherlands: lessons learned

Abstract OP 31: Refugees and Asylum Seekers 6, B207 (FCSH), September 5, 2025, 09:00 - 10:00 Aim To assess the impact of a new tuberculosis-infection (TBI) policy on the screening uptake in asylum-seeking children under 12 years of age. The tuberculosis (TB) entry-screening changed from using chest radiography at the central reception centre (COL) to a TBI screening at one of the 25 regional public health services (PHS). Methods The screening uptake was analysed using data from the national TB registration system over a one-year period starting at 1 July 2023. Implementation issues were identified using an online survey and semi-structured interviews among TB health workers. Results Of the 1112 eligible children from countries with a TB incidence > 50/100.000 people, 816 (73%) were invited for a screening using a Tuberculin Skin Test (TST). The TST was administered to 472 children (43%), 460 returned for reading the test. A total of 41% thus completed the screening. According to health workers the main impacts of TBI screening were: Because of the low uptake and the relocations children had to be re-invited. This was an administrative burden to the health workers . Conclusion The percentage of children completing the screening is relatively low. There are various barriers identified by health workers including the need for parents and children to travel several times to a PHS, the relocations and language barriers. To assess the impact of this new policy in parents and children participative research is needed.