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Segala FV, Novara R, Panico G, Laforgia R, Raho L, Schiavone M, Civile G, Laforgia N, Di Gregorio S, Guido G, Cormio M, Dargenio A, Papagni R, L’Erario A, L’Erario L, Totaro V, Spada V, Valentini L, Frallonardo L, Lattanzio R, Falanga C, Putoto G, Saracino A, Di Gennaro F. Prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Infections and Predictors for Loss to Follow Up among Marginalized Homeless and Migrant Communities: a Cross-Sectional Study. Ann Glob Health 2024; 90:25. [PMID: 38618272 PMCID: PMC11012089 DOI: 10.5334/aogh.4388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Background In Europe and Italy, marginalized communities have a higher risk for both contracting sexually transmitted infections (STI) and progressing towards adverse outcomes. Objectives This study focuses on the screening of HIV, HBV, HCV, and syphilis among homeless individuals and agricultural migrant workers living in Apulia, Italy. It aims to assess STI prevalence and investigate factors that might hinder return to collect test results. In addition, it explores STI knowledge, attitudes, and practices among these vulnerable populations. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from September 1, 2022, to September 30, 2023. Participants were recruited from community health centers and migrant camps. Blood tests for HBV, HCV, HIV, and syphilis were performed, and Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices (KAP) survey were conducted via face-to-face interviews. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were used to assess factors influencing the return for test results. Results A total of 149 persons were recruited, including 64 agricultural migrant workers and 85 homeless people. Overall, 24.8% (n = 37) tested positive for at least one infection, and only 50.3% (n = 75) of the screened participants returned to collect their test results. Significant disparities in STI knowledge and healthcare access were observed between the two populations, with only 14.1% (n = 9) of migrants having access to primary healthcare. At multivariable analysis, the strongest predictor for not returning for test results was being positive for HCV. Conclusions Among homeless people and agricultural migrant workers, STI prevalence was high, and only half of the population returned to collect test results. The study underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions and policy reevaluation to address healthcare disparities in marginalized communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Vladimiro Segala
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePRe-J), University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Roberta Novara
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePRe-J), University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Panico
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePRe-J), University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | | | - Lucia Raho
- Doctors with Africa CUAMM, 70123 Bari, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Civile
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePRe-J), University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | | | - Stefano Di Gregorio
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePRe-J), University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Giacomo Guido
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePRe-J), University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Mariangela Cormio
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePRe-J), University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Angelo Dargenio
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePRe-J), University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Roberta Papagni
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePRe-J), University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Angelo L’Erario
- Diagnostic Laboratory: Laboratorio analisi Dott.ssa Dell’Olio Nunzia, Trani, Italy
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Luca L’Erario
- Diagnostic Laboratory: Laboratorio analisi Dott.ssa Dell’Olio Nunzia, Trani, Italy
| | - Valentina Totaro
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePRe-J), University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Vito Spada
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePRe-J), University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Lauriana Valentini
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePRe-J), University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Luisa Frallonardo
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePRe-J), University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Rossana Lattanzio
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePRe-J), University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | | | | | - Annalisa Saracino
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePRe-J), University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Francesco Di Gennaro
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePRe-J), University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124 Bari, Italy
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