Marseille 2007
| Abstract #213 - Distribution of HIV/AIDS prevention material among Moldovan immigrants in Italy: concerns and best practices | ||||
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Session: 26.85: Posters B (Poster) on Tuesday in Chaired by Authors: Presenting Author: Mrs Michela martini - IOM International Organization for Migration, Italy |
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| Additional Authors: Mrs Raffaella Greco-Tonegutti, Mrs Natalia Moraru, | ||||
| Aim: The data on epidemiologic surveillance of the Italian High Institute of Health show that many foreign citizens living in Italy received the diagnosis of HIV seropositivity almost at the same time of the diagnosis of AIDS, (the 70% of new registered cases of AIDS with HIV seropositivity diagnosis < 6 months it is made by migrants ). This means that there is a huge amount of non-documented HIV infection among foreign citizens, which it is difficult to quantify and estimate. This initiavies aimed at increase information and awareness on HIV amongst Moldavians in Italy. | ||||
| Method / Issue: Issue. HIV./AIDS information material was distributed in Italy amongst Moldavians migrants. This project funded by Soros foundation was implemented by IOM, Rome in Italy, is part of a wider project realized in Moldavia, Italy was selected in order to reach Moldavians in receiving country. In order to better approach the target, an observational period was carried out which identified relevant cities and meeting points of Moldavians in Italy. During this period, several meetings were organized with Italian municipalities officers, NGOs, associations and health delivery services. A clear panorama of the presence of legal and illegal Moldavians in Italy was obtained. | ||||
| Results / Comments: Comments: Period of implementation: July December 2006.Geographical coverage: Centre, North, South Italy. Target group: Moldovan migrants in Italy. About 25.000 HIV prevention booklets on HIV/AIDS prevention was distributed in Centre, North, South Italy amongst Moldavians. According to outcomes from the observational period, Moldavians were reached in the most relevant cities hosting Moldavians: Bologna, Milan, Naples, Trieste, Turin, Padua, Roma, Venice and meeting points were in all the cities represented by parking where Moldavians go to send/receive post and packages to/from Moldova. Around 65% of migrants were young women (16- 40 years old). Access to health services. Young women generally reported to have a reduced and late access to Italian health services including during pregnancy. Men reported too a low access to Italian health services and only for pulmonary disease as well as occupational injuries, this is due to their unsafe working condition (as self-reported). The main problem that impact access to health services was reported to be the lack of information in mother language, in addition some people contacted didnt know the Latin alphabetic used in Italy. Very widespread the attitude of Moldavians to ask family/friends in Moldavia to delivery medicines when they needed it, rather then approaching Italian health services.. HIV/AIDS information and risk perception. In relation to HI/AIDS people interviewed showed and evident low awareness and information in safe behaviours and the risk to be infected by HIV. Furthermore a difference perception on HIV/AIDS was identified : the majorities of women over 50 years had no interest as well as a very low perception of the risk and refused the information material because they said not to have sexual intercourses. On the contrary young women were very interested and accepted the leaflet asking several questions on prevention and care of HIV/AIDS. Men at all ages accepted the leaflet and especially young men paid a lot of attention not only to HIV/AIDS but also to STD. Few cases only amongst men refused the material because they declared to be faithful to the partner. | ||||
| Discussion: HIV prevention material was very well accepted by the majority of Moldavians which showed a high interest on this issue. Material should be produced in mother language in order to be better accepted by the target. This project was the first initiative of HIV prevention target to Moldavians in Italy, taking into consideration the low awareness, the lack of information on HIV of the target, more interventions to improve information and promote safe behaviour is needed and should be recommended for migrants in receiving countries. | ||||
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