Tuberculosis in the European Union and European Economic Area: a survey of national tuberculosis programmes

Abstract

Question: How many European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) countries have national TB control plans/strategies, and what are the priority actions/populations and barriers to implementation?

Methods: Survey of EU/EEA national TB programme leads.

Results: The response rate was 100% (31 countries). 55% of countries reported having a national TB strategy, all of which were in implementation; five were preparing a strategy. 74% have a defined organisational TB control structure with central coordination, and 19% have a costed programme budget; few organisational structures included patient/civil society representation. The most frequently mentioned priority TB control actions were: reaching vulnerable population groups (80%); screening for active TB in high-risk groups (63%); implementing electronic registries (60%); contact tracing and outbreak investigation (60%); and tackling MDR-TB (60%). Undocumented migrants were the most commonly (46%) identified priority population. Perceived obstacles to implementation included barriers related to care recipients (lack of TB knowledge, treatment seeking/adherence), care providers (including need for specialist training of nurses and doctors) and health system constraints (funding, communication between health and social care systems).

Answer: This survey has provided an insight into TB control programmes across the EU/EEA which will inform the development of a TB strategy toolkit for member states.