Allergy, asthma and markers of infections among Albanian migrants to Southern Italy

BACKGROUND: Studies of immigrants represent an useful tool to determine the relative relevance of environmental vs genetic factors in causing the reported rapid increase of the prevalence of sensitization and allergic diseases. METHODS: A total of 152 Albanian migrants to Southern Italy responded to a questionnaire based on the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) and 139 of them underwent skin prick test, and 61 serological assays for total IgE and IgG antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii (TG), herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), hepatitis A virus (HAV) and Helicobacter pylori (HP). RESULTS: Reported asthma was rare (2/152; 1.3%) and reported nasal allergies rather frequent (24/152; 15.8%). Sensitization to common inhalant allergens occurred in 27/139 (19.4%) subjects. The frequency of skin sensitization to pollen (P = 0.003) and that of hay fever (P = 0.004) increased with the time spent in Apulia. All the 61 sera had antibodies against HAV, 59/61 (96.7%) against HSV-1, 48/61 (78.7%) against HP and 34/61 (55.7%) against TG. The prevalence of skin sensitization and hay fever symptoms were correlated to the duration of residence in Southern Italy. CONCLUSIONS: Data presented indicate that Albanian migrants to Italy, in spite of the low prevalence of allergic diseases and sensitization in their country of origin, manifest with time an increasing prevalence of sensitization to local allergens and nasal symptoms after immigration to Italy. This would suggest a permanent role of allergen exposure and lifestyle factors in influencing the appearance of sensitization and symptoms of allergic diseases.     

Undocumented Migrants Reintroducing COVID-19, Yunnan Province,China

To limit the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, the government of China has been monitoring infected travelers and minimizing cold-chain contamination. However, other factors might contribute to recurring outbreaks. We analyze the role of undocumented migrants as potential transmitters of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in China.     

Addressing alcohol and other drug use among young people from migrant and ethnic minority backgrounds: Perspectives of service providers in Melbourne,Australia

Young people from migrant and ethnic minority backgrounds are recognised as emerging priority populations for reducing alcohol and other drug (AOD)-related harms in Australia. Limited research has investigated how service providers address AOD challenges in migrant communities. In this qualitative study, we interviewed 15 service providers from AOD, migrant support, community and other health services in a diverse region of Melbourne. Interviews explored the challenges that service providers faced and the strategies they implemented to engage with young migrants in relation to AOD use. Thematic analysis was used to generate four themes: stigma as a barrier to service delivery, intergenerational differences between young people and parents, the need for outreach and establishing trust and understanding over time. Service providers believed that stigma prevented many young people from migrant backgrounds having open conversations about their AOD use with family members and professionals. Participants perceived that some parents had less AOD-related knowledge and lower English language proficiency than their children creating challenges for effective communication. Service providers recognised the importance of engaging with young people in settings where they felt comfortable rather than expecting them to approach their service. Participants also acknowledged the need to invest time in establishing trust and understanding with young migrants so they could facilitate conversations about AOD use as relationships evolved. Although service providers had a strong understanding of young people's needs, they found it challenging to build relationships in the context of funding and time constraints. Our results indicate the need for long-term funding and timelines that enable service providers to build strong relationships with young migrants, their families and their broader cultural communities to facilitate access to AOD support.     

Cancer mortality among sub-Saharan African migrants in France

Not only are there few data on sub-Saharan migrant populations, but relatively little information is available on cancer patterns in Africa. This report presents cancer mortality patterns among the 290,000 sub-Saharan African migrants in France. Risks of mortality from different cancers in migrants born in West, Central, East, and Other parts of Africa have been compared with that observed in the local-born population, using mortality data from the period 1979–85 and population data from the 1982 French census. Relative risks were adjusted for important confounding factors such as social class and area of residence. Compared with natives, overall mortality from cancer is lower in sub-Saharan African migrants. Higher cancer mortality risks, however, are observed among males for several sites: liver in Central and West Africans; bladder in West Africans; and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in Other African migrants. For females, risks were elevated for nasopharyngeal cancers in Other African and liver in West African migrants. The results are, for the most part, consistent with the few available data on cancer patterns in Africa, and with the patterns observed in African migrants to England and Wales (UK).This work was undertaken during the tenure of a Research Training Fellowship awarded to Dr Bouchardy by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France.     

城市暂住人口结核病调查分析

目的分析城市暂住人口结核病控制中存在的问题，为政府制定新的政策和采取新的措施进一步控制结核病流行提供依据。方法对上海市闵行区疾病预防控制中心1997～2002年结核病报表资料进行分析。结果暂住人口结核病新登记率远高于户籍人口，而其实际的流行情况可能更加严重。暂住人口结核病患者的发现方式与户籍人口类似。但是，暂住人口结核病的病例管理、治疗管理差及治疗效果较差，防治管理工作亟待改善。结论要进一步控制城市的结核病流行，除了在提高结核病发现率方面采取措施外，应重点加强暂住人口的结核病患者管理和规范治疗。     

城市结核病控制中的问题与对策的案例研究

目的深入地分析上海市结核病诊断治疗和管理中存在的问题，为防制决策服务。方法对上海市某区疾病预防控制中心1999—2003年期间的日常结核病报表资料进行分析。结果暂住人口结核病登记率低于本地人口，暂住人口结核病患者诊断后失访率远高于本地人口，已知治愈率远低于本地人口。暂住人口结核病患者中痰菌阳性的比例高，绝大部分是自费医疗，暂住人口大部分病人首诊不在定点医院。暂住人口结核病的防治管理亟待改善。结论要进一步控制城市的结核病流行，除了要在提高结核病发现率方面采取措施外，更重要的是改善暂住人口的结核病患者管理和规范治疗，同时户籍人口的结核病患者的诊断治疗管理也有待改善。     

Tuberculosis Microepidemics among Dispersed Migrants,Birmingham, UK, 2004–2013

To determine if local transmission was responsible for rising tuberculosis incidence in a recently dispersed migrant community in Birmingham, UK, during 2004–2013, we conducted enhanced epidemiologic investigation of molecular clusters. This technique identified exact locations of social mixing and chains of apparent recent transmission, which can be helpful for directing resources.     

Patterns of abuse amongst Sri Lankan women returning home after working as domestic maids in the Middle East: An exploratory study of medico-legal referrals

ObjectiveMigrant worker abuse is well recognised, but poorly characterised within the scientific literature. This study aimed to explore patterns of abuse amongst Sri Lankan women returning home after working as domestic maids.MethodsSri Lanka has over 2 million of its citizens employed overseas as international labor migrants. A cross-sectional study was conducted on Sri Lankan female domestic maids returning from the Middle East region who were referred for medico-legal opinion.ResultsA total of 20 women were included in the study. Average length of their employment overseas was 14 months. Complaints of physical violence directed mainly through their employers were made by 60% of women. Upon physical examination, two-thirds had evidence of injuries, with a third being subjected to repetitive/systematic violence. Eighty percent suffered some form of psychological trauma. Personal identity papers and travel documents had been confiscated by the employer in 85% of cases, with two thirds indicating they were prevented and/or restricted from leaving their place of work/residence.ConclusionsOur study demonstrates that female domestic maid abuse manifests through multiple pathways. Violence against such workers span the full spectrum of physical, financial, verbal, emotional abuse and neglect, as defined by the World Health Organization. Findings from this exploratory study cannot be generalized to the large volume of migrant worker outflows. Further research is needed to determine incidence and define patterns in other migrant worker categories such as low-skilled male workers.