305 Health status of a migrant population: a survey within an extraordinary reception centre in Parma, Northern Italy

Abstract EP2.4, e-Poster Terminal 2, September 4, 2025, 11:35 - 12:55 Background The steady flow of migrants is an ongoing challenge that requires health systems to adapt to their unique health needs and to address the inequalities they may face. For this reason, comprehensive screening, early intervention, and culturally sensitive care are vital to improve health outcomes of migrants. Methods We assessed migration history and health status in 536 migrants housed at “Svoltare ONLUS”Extraordinary Reception Centre in Parma, Northern Italy, from 2015 to 2018. We thoroughly evaluated migration journey characteristics and motivations, and testing for infectious disease, including hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV), HIV, tuberculosis (TB), syphilis, and parasitosis. Results Migrants were overwhelmingly males (95.9%), with mean (range) age of 26 (18-50) years. The majority originated from Sub-Saharan Africa (83.2%), with Nigeria being the predominant country. Most migrants entered via Libya, disembarking primarily in Southern Italy, particularly Sicily. High prevalence rates were found for HBV (48.8%), TB (27.8%), and parasitosis (23.1%), particularly among those from Western Africa. In contrast, HCV (2.61%), chronic hepatitis (5.41%), syphilis (2.99%), and HIV (1.31%) were less common. Conclusions Prevalence data for infectious diseases are consistent with the epidemiology in countries of origin and of those encountered during the journey. Given the higher prevalence of infectious diseases among migrants compared to the general population in Italy, it is essential to enhance public health measures. This includes implementing timely screening services, targeted surveillance, and prompt treatment upon arrival at reception centres to protect both migrant and community health.