Health profile and disease determinants among asylum seekers: a cross-sectional retrospective study from an Italian reception centre.
Data on diseases' determinants and health status of asylum seekers (ASs) are limited.



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 χ(2) 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.



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.



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.
Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, 'Sapienza' University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome , Italy.
Gianluca
G
Russo
Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, 'Sapienza' University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome , Italy.
Serena
S
Vita
Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, 'Sapienza' University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome , Italy.
Alessandro
A
Miglietta
School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton, Lewes Road, Brighton, UK.
Nadia
N
Terrazzini
Department of Human Sciences, Social and of the Health, University of Cassino and South Lazio, Via Mazzaroppi 6, 03043 Cassino (FR), Italy.
Alessandra
A
Sannella
Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, 'Sapienza' University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome , Italy.
Vincenzo
V
Vullo
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000349:Africa / Q000208:ethnology; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010154:Pakistan / Q000208:ethnology; D012036:Refugees / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
D000914:Antibodies, Viral
asylum seekers; healthcare; infectious diseases screening; migration