Multidisciplinary approach to asylum seekers health assessment: a 5-year experience in Modena, Italy

Abstract

Abstract Background Asylum seekers’ well-being represents a global health issue. They face significant challenges to their physical and mental health due to their migratory path. In the Modena province (Northern Italy), a multidisciplinary approach has been applied to the care of asylum seekers by Department of Public Health (DPH), with a team of specialists in infectious diseases, dermatology, gynaecology, obstetrics, psychology and preventive medicine. Asylum seekers receive a first visit, including medical and psychological assessment and screening for infectious diseases. Ad hoc pathways are also active for asylum seekers who need secondary-level care. This study aims to investigate the health status of asylum seekers referred to Modena Centre. Methods This cohort study enrolled asylum seekers hosted in Modena between November 2018 and May 2023. During the first visit, personal and anamnestic data were collected aided by cultural mediators, along with clinical assessment. Furthermore, Tuberculin-Skin-Test (TST) and blood tests for HBV-HCV-HIV-Syphilis were performed. Results A total of 646 migrants were included, 94% were males with a median age of 26 years (range: 15-50), the majority from Bangladesh (39%). Females were mostly from Ivory Coast (36%), median age of 30 years (range: 17-45). Most conditions were treated at the primary care level and were related to cutaneous disease (22%), only 11% of subjects required second-level diagnostics. Positive TSTs were 41% (N = 265). Of them, 55.5% (N = 147) also tested positive for QuantiFERON-TB. Screening for infectious diseases revealed positivity rates of 4% for HBsAg, 1% for HCVAb, 0.8% for HIV and 1.4% for TPPA+RPR. Conclusions The multidisciplinary approach is the innovative and strength point of this protocol for asylum seekers’ health ensuring prompt management of pathologies after their arrival. Moreover, data collection is useful for improving intake services and implementing public health programs for vulnerable individuals. Key messages • The innovation of this protocol for asylum seekers’ health lies in its multidisciplinary approach. • Clinical data collection will support health policies’ choices to protect vulnerable individuals.