High-risk sexual behavior and HIV/STDs cascade of care in migrants: results from an Italian dedicated outpatient clinic

Vito   Fiore; Andrea De Vito; Nicholas Geremia; Petrana Martineková; Elija Princic; Sergio Babudieri; Giordano Madeddu

doi:10.3855/jidc.13346

High-risk sexual behavior and HIV/STDs cascade of care in migrants: results from an Italian dedicated outpatient clinic

Authors

Vito Fiore Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
Andrea De Vito Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
Nicholas Geremia Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
Petrana Martineková University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Chzech Republic
Elija Princic Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
Sergio Babudieri Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
Giordano Madeddu Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.13346

Keywords:

Migrants, STDs, sexual behavior

Abstract

Introduction: Ethnical segregation and migration influence sexual health. Differences in sexual networks and the risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) between racial/ethnic minorities and the native population have been described in the literature.

Methodology: We collected data on sexual behavior and physical examination. Basing on CDC 2015 guidelines on STDs, anamnesis, and clinical features, screening for HIV/STDs was proposed.

Results: We enrolled 209 migrants, the median age was 32.5 (26-40) years, and 146 (69.9%) were male. The most represented nationalities were Nigerian, Senegalese, and Somali, with 85 (40.7%), 68 (32.5%), and 16 (7.7%) people, respectively. Twenty-two (10.5%) patients referred perianal/genital lesions, 6 (2.9%) abdominal/pelvic discomfort, and 183 (87.6%) were asymptomatic. Almost all symptomatic patients accepted the tests. 52/183 (28.4%) asymptomatic subjects accepted the tests, and only 24/52(46.2%) performed them. Among symptomatic patients were 6 (24%) HBsAg positivities and one (4%) HCV infection. Four (16%) people had latent syphilis; in 12 (48%) people, HPV-related genital warts were present, 7 (28%) people had Molluscum contagiosum, and 6 (24%) women had pelvic inflammatory diseases. Among patients referring no symptoms, there were 10 (41.7%) HBsAg positivities, one (4.2%) HIV infection, four (16.7%) latent syphilis, one (4.2%) HPV-related genital infection, and one (4.2%) PID. Being Nigerian and having symptoms were associated with a more high acceptance of the STDs test. Having a high-risk behavior was significantly associated with the development of at least one STD.

Conclusions: migrants have high-risk sexual behavior. Despite this, they have a low perception of HIV/STDs risk and healthcare needs. Particular attention should be given to improve access to HIV/STDs services that provide screening and treatment and increase the perception of healthcare needs.

Downloads

Published

2021-03-07

How to Cite

Fiore V, De Vito A, Geremia N, Martineková P, Princic E, Babudieri S, Madeddu G (2021) High-risk sexual behavior and HIV/STDs cascade of care in migrants: results from an Italian dedicated outpatient clinic. J Infect Dev Ctries 15:297–300. doi: 10.3855/jidc.13346

Download Citation

Endnote/Zotero/Mendeley (RIS)

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 02: February 2021

Section

Brief Original Articles

License

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:

Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).