Infectious and non-infectious diseases burden among Haitian immigrants in Chile: a cross-sectional study
Journal
Scientific Reports
ISSN
2045-2322
Date Issued
2020
Author(s)
Francisco Fuster
Felipe Peirano
José Ignacio Vargas
Francisco Xavier Zamora
Marcelo López-Lastra
Ruth Núñez
Jacinta Soza
Katherine González
Denisse Estay
Beatrice Barchiesi
Antonieta Fuster
Ignacia López
Nicolás Utrera
Jorge Landeros
Javiera Chandía
Angela Paredes
Daniela Reyes
Rodrigo Arias
Luis Padilla
Hernán Suárez
Katia Farcas
Macarena Cannistra
Geraldine Muñoz
Ignacio Rodríguez
Ivana Ormazábal
Josefina Cortés
Bárbara Cornejo
Franco Manzur
Antonia Reyes
Vicente Leiva
María Victoria Raimann
Catalina Arrau
Valentina Cox
Alejandro Soza
Type
Resource Types::text::journal::journal article
URL Institutional Repository
Abstract
<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>Chile has become a popular destination for migrants from South America and the Caribbean (low- and middle-income countries migration). Close to 200.000 Haitian migrants have arrived in Chile. Infectious and non-infectious disease burden among the Haitian adult population living in Chile is unknown. This study aimed to acquire the basic health information (selected transmissible and non-transmissible conditions) of the Haitian adult population living in Chile. A cross-sectional survey was performed, inviting Haitian-born residents in Chile older than 18 years old. Common conditions and risk factors for disease were assessed, as well as selected transmissible conditions (HIV, HBV, and HCV). 498 participants (60.4% female) from 10 communities in two regions of Chile were surveyed. Most subjects had never smoked (91.5%), and 80% drank less than one alcohol unit per month. The mean BMI was 25.6, with 45% of participants having a normal BMI (20–25). Hypertension was present in 31.5% (33% in the 25–44 age group). Prevalence of HIV was 2.4% (95 CI 1.3–4.2%), hepatitis B (HBsAg positive) was 3.4% (95 CI 2.1–5.5%), and hepatitis C was 0% (95 CI 0.0–0.9%). Quality of life showed a significant prevalence of depression and anxiety markers, particularly in those arriving in Chile less than 1 year ago. Low prevalence of obesity, diabetes, smoking, and drinking and estimated cardiovascular risk were found. Nonetheless, hypertension at a younger age, disproportionately higher prevalence of HIV and HBV infection and frequent markers of anxiety and depression were also found. Public policies for detecting and treating hypertension, HIV, and HBV screening, offering HBV vaccination, and organizing mental health programs for Haitian immigrants, are urgently needed.</jats:p>
Subjects
adolescent
;
adult
;
caribbean region
;
chile
;
female
;
global burden of disease
;
hepacivirus
;
hepatitis b
;
hepatitis b virus
;
hepatitis c
;
hiv infections
;
humans
;
infections
;
male
;
middle aged
;
noncommunicable diseases
;
quality of life
;
risk factors
;
young adult
;
adolescent
;
adult
;
caribbean
;
chile
;
enzymology
;
female
;
genetics
;
global disease burden
;
hepacivirus
;
hepatitis b
;
hepatitis b virus
;
hepatitis c
;
human
;
human immunodeficiency virus infection
;
male
;
middle aged
;
non communicable disease
;
pathogenicity
;
quality of life
;
risk factor
;
virology
;
young adult