This article describes the health situation of immigrant women in Italy, in particular it deals with reproductive health. Immigrant women are generally young, in good health and they use the health services mainly for conditions related to reproduction (pregnancy, delivery and induced abortion). Their deprived socio-economic conditions and their reduced access to health services are identified as the main determinants of negative health outcomes in this population, especially during pregnancy and delivery. They are more likely to request an induced abortion; their induced abortion rate is three times higher than the one of Italian women. In conclusion, this review underlines the need to improve accessibility to social and health services and to plan public health interventions for the prevention of induced abortion.

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Reproductive Health Eurasia Italy health services Europe Lazio Southern Europe socioeconomic conditions womens health immigrant population