Journal of Public Health (United Kingdom)
Volume 38, Issue 2, 2016, Pages 212-222

Health profile and disease determinants among asylum seekers: A cross-sectional retrospective study from an Italian reception centre (Article) (Open Access)

Russo G.* , Vita S. , Miglietta A. , Terrazzini N. , Sannella A. , Vullo V.
  • a Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, 'Sapienza' University of Rome -Astr Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, Rome, 00185, Italy
  • b Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, 'Sapienza' University of Rome -Astr Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, Rome, 00185, Italy
  • c Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, 'Sapienza' University of Rome -Astr Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, Rome, 00185, Italy
  • d School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton -Astr Lewes Road, Brighton, United Kingdom
  • e Department of Human Sciences, Social and of the Health, University of Cassino and South Lazio, Via Mazzaroppi 6, Cassino (FR), 03043, Italy
  • f Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, 'Sapienza' University of Rome -Astr Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, Rome, 00185, Italy

Abstract

Background Data on diseases' determinants and health status of asylum seekers (ASs) are limited. Methods We performed a cross-sectional retrospective study in a large ASs centre in Italy. Data were collected during a 1-year period. Descriptive statistics were calculated. A x2 test was used to assess the association between socio-demographics characteristics of ASs and screening test results. A multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify diseases' predictors by using ICD-10 diagnoses classification as outcome variable, socio-demographic characteristics as independent variable and visits' number as confounding variable. Results Overall, data on 792 ASs (mean age 27 years, 80% males, 58% from Africa) were assessed, 43% underwent voluntary infectious diseases screening and 2843 diagnoses were recorded. The most frequent diagnoses were: respiratory diseases, symptoms/signs not elsewhere classified, digestive diseases and infectious diseases. Gender was the most frequent predictor of ICD-10 diagnoses, while African origin, civil status and education were, respectively, predictive of cardiovascular and infectious diseases, genitourinary diseases and pregnancy-related disorders. Higher mean age was associated with syphilis, HIV and HCV infection and African origin with HIV infection. Conclusions Communicable diseases were not prevalent in the ASs population we analysed. A stronger cultural mediation support is needed to facilitate prevention, access and continuity of care for ASs.

Author Keywords

Infectious diseases screening healthcare Asylum seekers Migration

Index Keywords

Pakistan refugee Antibodies, Viral sex ratio human Refugees Communicable Diseases Respiratory Tract Diseases middle aged statistics and numerical data health status Logistic Models respiratory tract disease chronic disease ethnology Cross-Sectional Studies Young Adult cross-sectional study Humans smoking Adolescent male female enzyme linked immunosorbent assay Africa Retrospective Studies communicable disease adult Sex Distribution Italy statistical model retrospective study virus antibody Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84979211155&doi=10.1093%2fpubmed%2ffdv049&partnerID=40&md5=f3c3130d96ebdcde7ae6bbfa978f8f99
DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdv049
ISSN: 17413842
Cited by: 12
Original Language: English