Epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 cases in non-Italian nationals notified to the Italian surveillance system.
In: European journal of public health, Jg. 31 (2021-02-01), Heft 1, S. 37-44
Online
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Zugriff:
Background: International literature suggests that disadvantaged groups are at higher risk of morbidity and mortality from SARS-CoV-2 infection due to poorer living/working conditions and barriers to healthcare access. Yet, to date, there is no evidence of this disproportionate impact on non-national individuals, including economic migrants, short-term travellers and refugees.
Methods: We analyzed data from the Italian surveillance system of all COVID-19 laboratory-confirmed cases tested positive from the beginning of the outbreak (20th of February) to the 19th of July 2020. We used multilevel negative-binomial regression models to compare the case fatality and the rate of admission to hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) between Italian and non-Italian nationals. The analysis was adjusted for differences in demographic characteristics, pre-existing comorbidities, and period of diagnosis.
Results: We analyzed 213 180 COVID-19 cases, including 15 974 (7.5%) non-Italian nationals. We found that, compared to Italian cases, non-Italian cases were diagnosed at a later date and were more likely to be hospitalized {[adjusted rate ratio (ARR)=1.39, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.33-1.44]} and admitted to ICU (ARR=1.19, 95% CI: 1.07-1.32), with differences being more pronounced in those coming from countries with lower human development index (HDI). We also observed an increased risk of death in non-Italian cases from low-HDI countries (ARR=1.32, 95% CI: 1.01-1.75).
Conclusions: A delayed diagnosis in non-Italian cases could explain their worse outcomes compared to Italian cases. Ensuring early access to diagnosis and treatment to non-Italians could facilitate the control of SARS-CoV-2 transmission and improve health outcomes in all people living in Italy, regardless of nationality.
(© The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Public Health Association.)
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Epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 cases in non-Italian nationals notified to the Italian surveillance system.
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Autor/in / Beteiligte Person: | Fabiani, M ; Mateo-Urdiales, A ; Andrianou, X ; Bella, A ; Del Manso, M ; Bellino, S ; Rota, MC ; Boros, S ; Vescio, MF ; D'Ancona, FP ; Siddu, A ; Punzo, O ; Filia, A ; Brusaferro, S ; Rezza, G ; Dente, MG ; Declich, S ; Pezzotti, P ; Riccardo, F |
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Zeitschrift: | European journal of public health, Jg. 31 (2021-02-01), Heft 1, S. 37-44 |
Veröffentlichung: | Oxford : Oxford University Press ; <i>Original Publication</i>: Stockholm, Sweden : Almqvist & Wiksell International, c1991-, 2021 |
Medientyp: | academicJournal |
ISSN: | 1464-360X (electronic) |
DOI: | 10.1093/eurpub/ckaa249 |
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