Prevalence of Tuberculosis, Hepatitis B Virus, and Intestinal Parasitic Infections among Refugees to Minnesota

Objective: The purpose of this study was to define the prevalence of infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, hepatitis B virus, and various intestinal parasites among different groups of primary refugees immigrating to Minnesota. Methods: 2,545 refugees arriving in Minnesota during 1999 received a domestic health examination that included tuberculin skin testing, hepatitis B virus serologic testing, and stool ova and parasite examinations. The Refugee Health Assessment form asked specifically about screening results for amebiasis, ascariasis, clonorchiasis, giardiasis, hookworm, schistosomiasis, strongyloidiasis, and trichuriasis. Results: Forty-nine percent of refugees had a reactive tuberculin test of ≥10 mm induration, with a higher prevalence in males (54%) and refugees ≥18 years of age (63%) (p