308 Multidisciplinary approach to assess the health status of asylum seekers: a 5-year experience in Modena, Northern Italy

Abstract EP3.4, e-Poster Terminal 3, September 4, 2025, 11:35 - 13:00 Aims Migrants’ and refugees’ health is a public health priority. In Modena province (Northern Italy), the Department of Public Health (DSP) adopts a multidisciplinary approach with specialists in hygiene and preventive medicine/infectious diseases/dermatology/gynaecology/obstetrics/psychology. An infectious diseases specialist and a health assistant with a cultural mediator carry out the first visit. If necessary, the subject is referred to other specialists through dedicated internal pathways. This retrospective cohort study aims to investigate the characteristics and health status of asylum seekers hosted in Modena from November 2018 to May 2023. Methods We collected sociodemographic and clinical data and results of blood tests for HIV/HBV/HCV/syphilis (TPPA+RPR). A three-step active surveillance for active tuberculosis (TB) and latent TB infection (ILTB) was used: tuberculin skin test (TST) at the first visit and, if TST-positive, a blood test for QuantiFERON-TB (QTF) and, if QTF-positive, a chest X-ray and a pneumologist visit. Results Of the 646 migrants, 94% were males with a mean age of 26 years (range: 15-50), mainly from Bangladesh (39%). Females came mostly from Ivory Coast (36%) with a mean age of 30 years (range: 17-45). Most pathological conditions were treated at the first visit, mainly skin diseases (22%). In 18% of cases, the first visit was followed by a therapeutic prescription, while in 11% a second-level diagnostic investigation was required. The tests performed were positive for HbsAg (3.7%), HCVAb (1.3%), HIV (0.8%) and TPPA+RPR (1.4%). Of the TSTs performed, 42% were positive. Of these, 55% were also QTF-positive. After radiological and pneumological evaluation, only 2 (1.5% of QTF-positive) were active TB (1 pleural + 1 lymph node). Conclusions This multidisciplinary approach allows a timely and thorough health assessment of migrants upon their arrival in Modena. The data collection is useful for improving public health programs for vulnerable individuals.