Screening Program for Imported Diseases in Immigrant Women: Analysis and Implications from a Gender-Oriented...

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health
• Immigrant Health

Background:

• Female immigrants are a vulnerable group for imported diseases.
• Screening programs are essential for early detection and management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the prevalence of imported diseases in female immigrants.
• To identify specific diseases and risk factors within this population.

Main Methods:

• Prospective screening of 611 immigrant women.
• Testing for HIV, Hepatitis B (HBV), Hepatitis C (HCV), syphilis, parasitic infections (intestinal parasites, Trypanosoma cruzi, Strongyloides stercoralis, Schistosoma spp.), malaria, and microfilaremia.
• Disease prevalence analyzed by age and origin.

Main Results:

• High prevalence of intestinal parasitosis (39.4%) and syphilis (14.6%).
• Significant rates of HIV (9%), chronic HCV (5%), and HBV (3.3%).
• HCV and syphilis showed higher prevalence in older age groups (46+ years).

Conclusions:

• Female immigrants have a high burden of imported diseases.
• Screening programs are vital for early diagnosis, reducing morbidity/mortality, and preventing vertical transmission.
• Active screening policies for women of childbearing age and during pregnancy are recommended.