Sammanfattning
This article describes experiences from a Tuberculosis (TB) project in Somalia 2007 and discusses TB from Swedish and global perspectives. People with Somali background represent one fifth of all newly diagnosed TB cases in Sweden. Contributing factors include the high prevalence of TB in Somalia and the lack of a functional health system to control and treat the disease. The stigmatisation of TB and the fear of discrimination will negatively affect the willingness to seek medical care. Contagious diseases do not respect country boundaries. High incidence of TB, development of resistant tubercle bacilli and insufficient treatment possibilities in Somalia are important factors that influence the spread of TB even in Sweden. Tuberculosis programmes are difficult but possible to carry out in Somalia. Such programmes can besides prompt treatment also include education and information about tuberculosis which may reduce the stigmatisation of the disease.