Health assessment for migrants and asylum seekers upon arrival and while hosted in reception centres: Italian guidelines

Tosti, Maria Elena; Marceca, Maurizio; Eugeni, Erica; D’Angelo, Franca; Geraci, Salvatore; Declich, Silvia; Seta, Maurella Della; Ferrigno, Luigina; Marrone, Rosalia; Pajno, Chiara; Pizzarelli, Scilla; Rosso, Annalisa; Ponte, Giulia De; Mirisola, Concetta; Baglìo, Giovanni

doi:10.1016/j.healthpol.2020.12.010

Cited by 20 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 26 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…In conclusion, according to the present study, migrants have increased standardised incidence rates of acute hepatitis A and B compared to the Italian population, even though the standardised incidence rates of hepatitis B show no statistically significant difference for the year 2019. Hepatitis C rates are comparable between the two populations; as migrants are reported to have a higher prevalence of chronic hepatitis C infection [42], screening tests for HBV and HCV infections should be offered to newly arrived migrants from countries with high HBV (>2%) and HCV (>3%) prevalence, and to individuals with specific risk factors, in line with the Italian guidelines "Health assessment for migrants and asylum seekers upon arrival and while hosted in reception centres" [43]. HBsAg screening is also recommended for pregnant women, to ensure a specific prophylaxis to newborns, in case of positive mother.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The present study is targeted to acute viral hepatitis among foreigners, but they are also reported to be at risk of other sexually transmitted infections [2]. As a consequence, a wider strategy of prevention and care, taking into account not only viral hepatitis (B, C) but also other sexual transmissible infections, is recommended by the Italian guidelines [43].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Differences in Incidence of Acute Viral Hepatitis between Foreigners and Autochthonous Population in Italy

D’Angelo¹,

Ferrigno²,

Mele³

et al. 2021

IJERPH

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: In European countries, the prevalence of HBV and HCV in refugees and migrants tends to reflect the prevalence in their countries of origin. The aim of this study is to analyse acute viral hepatitis cases diagnosed in Italy among foreign citizens and to compare incidence rates in foreigners and Italians. Methods: We analysed the cases of each viral hepatitis type among foreigners. Standardised incidence rates were compared between natives and foreigners. Results: Between 2004 and 2019, 15,872 cases of acute viral hepatitis were notified by 10 Italian regions, 14.8% among foreign citizens. Until 2012, the percentage increased gradually, while a fluctuating trend set in from 2013 onwards; in 2019, 23.9% of cases were foreigners. Data from the SEIEVA surveillance show higher standardised incidence rates of hepatitis A and B among foreign citizens; no significant difference emerged between Italians and foreigners in terms of their hepatitis C incidence. Conclusions: foreign citizens have an increased incidence of hepatitis A and B. Regarding hepatitis A, vaccination is strongly recommended to foreigners travelling to their countries of origin. Screening tests for hepatitis B and C infection should be offered to newly arrived migrants from high prevalence countries, or having specific risk factors.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Differences in Incidence of Acute Viral Hepatitis between Foreigners and Autochthonous Population in Italy

D’Angelo¹,

Ferrigno²,

Mele³

et al. 2021

IJERPH

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Currently, they represent nearly one-fifth of all HBV cases occurring in Italy and are three-fold (95% CI = 2.5-3.6) more likely to acquire HBV than Italian natives. Testing and active proposal of HB vaccine to migrants entering Italy represents a useful and advisable preventive measure [22].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effectiveness of Hepatitis B Vaccination Campaign in Italy: Towards the Control of HBV Infection for the First Time in a European Country

Stroffolini

Morisco

Ferrigno

et al. 2022

Viruses

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: In 1991, a mass immunization campaign against the hepatitis B virus (HBV) for children and teenagers was introduced in Italy. This study evaluated the impact of the immunization campaign on the incidence and modes of HBV transmission. Method: Acute HBV cases of viral hepatitis were reported to the National Surveillance System (SEIEVA). Hepatitis A cases reported to the same system were used as controls to calculate the adjusted odds ratios and the population attributable risk for potential risk factors. Results: The incidence of acute HBV declined from 5.0 in 1990 to 0.4 in 2019 per 100,000 population. The fall was almost total in people targeted by the campaign: in 2019, zero cases (100% reduction) in the age-group 0–14 years and 0.1 cases per 100,000 population (99.4% reduction) in the age-group 15–24 years were reported. In the decade 2010–2019, nearly one-fifth (19.3%) of cases occurred in foreigners. Intravenous drug use is no longer a risk factor (OR = 0.7; 95% CI = 0.5–1.02). Beauty treatments, risky sexual exposure, and household contact with an HBsAg carrier were found to be independent predictors of acute hepatitis B. Conclusions: The HB vaccination campaign proved effective in minimising acute HBV in Italy. Control of the infection is close to being reached for the first time in Europe.

show abstract

“…), but also priority to non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension, should be given when promoting a health intervention in such a setting [ 15 , 16 ]. It should also be important to focus on the interaction between non-communicable and communicable diseases in worsening clinical presentations and outcomes [ 17 , 18 , 19 ]. From our experience, an appropriate use of point of care HIV testing in these settings could also be highlighted, since it could help to reduce stigma and increase adherence to screening [ 20 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Low-Wage Agricultural Migrant Workers in Apulian Ghettos, Italy: General Health Conditions Assessment and HIV Screening

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Approximately 500,000 migrants work in the agricultural sector in Italy. Many of them live in shantytowns, wrongly called “ghettos”, far away from city centers, with no water, proper hygienic conditions or health services. The aim of this study is to assess general health conditions and HIV prevalence by giving hygienic and sanitary sustenance. Methods: Between June 2019 and February 2020, we performed a screening campaign for HIV–diabetes–hypertension, involving migrants living in three Apulian establishments: ghetto Pista, “Sankara House” and “Arena House”. Results: Overall, 321 migrants were enrolled in the study. In the medical screening, one HIV test resulted positive. Hypertension was found in 12% of the migrants visited, diabetes in 2% and TB symptoms in 17%. Among others symptoms explored, muscle and joint pain/fatigue resulted in being the most frequent, and was reported by 34% of the migrants, followed by cough (10%). Significant predictors of muscle and joint pain/fatigue were: low BMI values (OR = 1.32; 95% CI 1.19–1.99), the absence of education (OR = 1.85; 95% CI 1.02–2.95), being employed with a regular contract (OR = 2.64; 95% CI 2.39–2.83) and living in the ghettos since >12 months (OR = 1.74; 95% CI 1.24–2.21). Conclusions: Our experience suggests that, in this population, the health condition is mainly linked to the specific working activities in the agricultural fields, as well as to the hygienic and living conditions, and that all of this is due to the lack of social protection in their life and job.

show abstract

Health assessment for migrants and asylum seekers upon arrival and while hosted in reception centres: Italian guidelines

Cited by 20 publications

References 26 publications

Differences in Incidence of Acute Viral Hepatitis between Foreigners and Autochthonous Population in Italy

Differences in Incidence of Acute Viral Hepatitis between Foreigners and Autochthonous Population in Italy

Effectiveness of Hepatitis B Vaccination Campaign in Italy: Towards the Control of HBV Infection for the First Time in a European Country

Low-Wage Agricultural Migrant Workers in Apulian Ghettos, Italy: General Health Conditions Assessment and HIV Screening

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About