title: Utilization of health-care services among immigrants recruited through non-profit organizations in southern Italy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The study aims were focused on acquiring information about access to health-care services and to investigate the potential barriers affecting full access to health-care services.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study population consisted of immigrants and refugees aged 18 or more living in Italy for at least 12 months recruited through non-profit organizations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  961 immigrants took part in the study, with a response rate of 98.9 %. Of the participants, 85 % had access to a general practitioner (GP) at least once, and 46.6 and 22.4 % mentioned a minimum one emergency visit and hospital stay, respectively. Diagnostic procedures and/or drug prescriptions (49.7 %), chronic disease control (15.8 %), and preventive interventions (13 %) were the most reported reasons for GP access.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study yielded current and broader insight into the model of health-care utilization among immigrants. The findings adds to our understanding of the third-sector organizations' role in facilitating immigrants' access to services offered by the Italian National Health Service, contributing to the extensive discussion on how to best manage migrant health care in Italy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, Medical School, University of Catanzaro "Magna Græcia", Campus of Germaneto, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Aida
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bianco
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, Medical School, University of Catanzaro "Magna Græcia", Campus of Germaneto, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Larosa
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, Medical School, University of Catanzaro "Magna Græcia", Campus of Germaneto, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pileggi
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, Medical School, University of Catanzaro "Magna Græcia", Campus of Germaneto, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Carmelo G A
authors.initials: CGA
authors.lastname: Nobile
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, Medical School, University of Catanzaro "Magna Græcia", Campus of Germaneto, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy. pavia@unicz.it.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pavia
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants; D005260:Female; D058005:General Practitioners / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009939:Organizations, Nonprofit; D012036:Refugees; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Access; Barriers; Health-care services utilization; Immigrant; Italy