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

Sep 30, 2026

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Aim: assess the impact of a new tuberculosis-infection (TBI) policy on screening uptake among asylum-seeking children under 12 in the Netherlands. The policy shifted screening from chest radiography at the central reception centre to TBI screening via one of 25 regional public health services. Methods: analyze one-year national TB registration data starting 1 July 2023, and identify implementation issues using an online survey and semi-structured interviews with TB health workers.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Results

Screening uptake and completion

Implementation challenges

Time burden and travel requirements

Frequent relocations and language barriers

Conclusion

Need for participative research to assess impact

vi72 European Journal of Public Health, Vol. 35, Supplement 6, 2025 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: • the new screening policy was time-consuming for parents and children • the need for parents and children to travel at least twice to a PHS • the frequent relocations of asylum seekers • language barriers Because of the low uptake and the relocations children had to be reinvited. 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. Abstract citation ID: ckaf180.198 224 Implementation of a new Tuberculosis-infection entry screening for asylum-seeking children in the Netherlands: lessons learned Suzan van Dijken1 and Geertje Van Mensvoort1 1GGD GHOR Nederland, Utrecht, Nederland 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.

FAQs

What change did the new tuberculosis-infection policy introduce?

Screening changed from chest radiography at the central reception centre to TBI screening at one of 25 regional public health services.

How was the screening uptake evaluated?

Screening uptake was analyzed using data from the national TB registration system over one year starting 1 July 2023.

What main barriers did health workers identify for completing screening?

Barriers included time-consuming requirements for parents and children, the need for at least two trips to a public health service, frequent relocations, and language barriers.

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by Pentious