International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care
Volume 8, Issue 3, 2012, Pages 146-150

The profile of health problems in African refugees admitted to Sicilian hospitals from Lampedusa, since the beginning of the 2011 humanitarian exodus (1 January to 22 September) (Article)

Pasta L.* , Farinella E.M. , Marchese G. , Suero L.A.M. , D'Amico N. , Stefano M.G.D.
  • a AOR Villa Sofia Cervello Hospital, Palermo, Italy
  • b Infectious Diseases Unit, AOR Villa Sofia Cervello Hospital, Palermo, Italy
  • c Emergency Service SUESS, Palermo, Italy
  • d AOR Villa Sofia Cervello Hospital, Palermo, Italy
  • e AOR Villa Sofia Cervello Hospital, Palermo, Italy
  • f AOR Villa Sofia Cervello Hospital, Palermo, Italy

Abstract

Purpose - This paper's aim is to study North African refugees admitted to Sicilian hospitals from Lampedusa by helicopter emergency service 118, from 1 January to 22 September 2011 when due to a violent uprising in the Refugee Centre, Lampedusa is no longer accepting refugees by order of the Ministry of Interior. Design/methodology/approach - Those migrants who were in need of hospitalization were transferred to the Sicilian hospitals exclusively by the emergency helicopter service 118. All 203 patients were classified according to the admission diagnosis reported on medical records of 118 and data were aggregated according to: disease, sex and department in which hospitalization was required. Findings - Women were admitted to hospital almost exclusively for obstetrics and gynecological problems, while men for trauma, severe dehydration, attempted suicide, infectious diseases (TB, airways distress, and scabies), seizures and metabolic diseases. Hospitalization rate was 20 times lower in African migrants than Italian population compared per age and sex, confirming the healthy immigrant effect. Originality/value - The paper shows that identification of health problems requires a careful monitoring that has implications for diseases dissemination (i.e. TB, HIV) both for ill patients who arrive, either for prophylaxis of healthy migrants, pursuing a valid vaccination policy. Maximum use must be made of the moment of the arrival of migrants to get and disseminate health information. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.

Author Keywords

African spring African refugees Italy health care Immigration Humanitarian exodus African health problems

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84866361390&doi=10.1108%2f17479891211267339&partnerID=40&md5=7ea9c3c42c95896c12fafa9abe5315b0
DOI: 10.1108/17479891211267339
ISSN: 17479894
Cited by: 2
Original Language: English