Rebecca McSorley

Back to MSc Alumni

Country: USA
Background: Pre Medicine
Research Project: Examination of the Irish Government’s policies and responses with respect to tuberculosis in foreign-born individuals

Tuberculosis incidence in Ireland had been falling for many years, but since 2001 this trend has been replaced with a slight year-on-year increase. Almost simultaneous with this change in TB trend, immigration has increased, notable from the 2004 European Union Accession States. Many of these states not only have higher annual incident rates of TB than Ireland, but also high prevalence of drug resistance in their tuberculosis cases. From the late 1990’s it appears that the incidence rate of TB in Irish-born individuals has been decreasing, while that in the foreign-born has been on the increase. With the ease of immigration between EU countries, it possible that not only TB, but also drug resistant cases could spread in the Republic of Ireland.

This study was undertaken in order to determine the effectiveness of the Irish TB policy in light of the current tuberculosis pandemic, more specifically with respect to individuals from the EU 10. Specific interest was given to immigrants’ barriers to health care in Ireland. Qualitative methods using semi-structured, in-depth interviews based on phenomenological principles. The participants interviewed represented a variety of sub-specialities within TB.

There was a strong feeling that the Irish Government lacked political commitment towards elimination of TB, demonstrated through the lack of national policy and inadequate resources. Streamlining of health service protocols as well as adequately resourcing existing specialties such as public health and laboratories would be of great benefit. The barriers for foreign-born individuals ranged from communication to lack of social support structures to misperceptions surrounding TB. All of this is in the backdrop of both the immigrants and the general populaces’ lack of TB awareness.

Recommendations include the appointment of a small governing body with an annual budget to streamline TB protocols and direct resources where they are needed most. These resource provisions should be made to fund specialized TB units, public health case managers, improve laboratory facilities and provide voluntary screening units. All of this should be done while implementing a mass of TB awareness campaign.