Purpose: Understanding the needs of migrants with HIV (MWH) is crucial for designing tailored interventions to improve health outcomes. This studyaimed to assess the self-reported wellbeing and integration levels of MWH in Italy. Method: We enrolled MWH from the ICONA cohort across 11 centers (Sept2024-Apr2025). Participants completed an anonymous questionnaire (available in Italian, English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Arabic) covering sociodemographic and migration-related data. Validated tools assessed anxiety (GAD-7), depression (PHQ-9), deprivation (DiP-CARE-Q), integration (IPL-12 QSF), HIV-related stigma (HIV Stigma Scale, short version), treatment adherence (Visual, VAS), and quality of life (WHOQOL-HIV BREF). Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with lower integration (defined as <1 st quartile of IPL-12 QSF), adjusting for age, sex at birth, and area of birth. Results: Among 120 MWH included median age was 44 years (IQR 36-51), and 37.5% were females (Table 1). MWH with lower integration scores reported higher deprivation (median 3 [IQR 2, 3] vs 2 [2, 3]; p=0.007), greater negative self-image stigma (median 8 [6,9] vs 6 [4,8]; p=0.005), and lower physical (median 14 [11, 16] vs 16 [13, 18]; p=0.007) and psychological (median 12 [11, 13] vs 13[12, 14]; p=0.002) QoL compared to those with higher integration scores (Table 2) for confounding, lower integration was associated with lower education (adjusted OR 3.83 [95% CI 1.48-9.94]), deprivation (per 1 point increase, AOR2.24 [95% CI 1.19-4.21]), stigma (per 1 point increase: negative self-image AOR 1.34 [95% CI 1.09-1.66], disclosure concern AOR 1.34 [95% CI1.04-1.73] and concern with public attitudes AOR 1.31 [95% CI 1.02-1.68]), poorer physical (per 1 point decrease, AOR 1.20 [95% CI 1.04-1.39]) andpsychological health (per 1 point decrease, AOR 1.31 [95% CI 1.06-1.61]). Conclusions: Lower level of integration among MWH in Italy is associated with stigma, deprivation, and poorer health and quality of life.
Self-reported wellbeing and integration levels of migrants with HIV in Italy: a cross-sectional analysis fromthe ICONA cohort / Giacomelli, A; Tavelli, A; Cingolani, A; De Benedittis, S; Testa, J; Marelli, M; Pozza, G; Santoro, A; Costantini, A; Checchi, D; Gianserra, L; Fabbiani, M; Cozzi-Lepri, A; Saracino, A; D'Arminio Monforte, A. - In: HIV MEDICINE. - ISSN 1468-1293. - STAMPA. - 26 (Suppl. 4):(2025), pp. PS12.3.60-PS12.3.63.
Self-reported wellbeing and integration levels of migrants with HIV in Italy: a cross-sectional analysis fromthe ICONA cohort
Costantini A;
2025-01-01
Abstract
Purpose: Understanding the needs of migrants with HIV (MWH) is crucial for designing tailored interventions to improve health outcomes. This studyaimed to assess the self-reported wellbeing and integration levels of MWH in Italy. Method: We enrolled MWH from the ICONA cohort across 11 centers (Sept2024-Apr2025). Participants completed an anonymous questionnaire (available in Italian, English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Arabic) covering sociodemographic and migration-related data. Validated tools assessed anxiety (GAD-7), depression (PHQ-9), deprivation (DiP-CARE-Q), integration (IPL-12 QSF), HIV-related stigma (HIV Stigma Scale, short version), treatment adherence (Visual, VAS), and quality of life (WHOQOL-HIV BREF). Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with lower integration (defined as <1 st quartile of IPL-12 QSF), adjusting for age, sex at birth, and area of birth. Results: Among 120 MWH included median age was 44 years (IQR 36-51), and 37.5% were females (Table 1). MWH with lower integration scores reported higher deprivation (median 3 [IQR 2, 3] vs 2 [2, 3]; p=0.007), greater negative self-image stigma (median 8 [6,9] vs 6 [4,8]; p=0.005), and lower physical (median 14 [11, 16] vs 16 [13, 18]; p=0.007) and psychological (median 12 [11, 13] vs 13[12, 14]; p=0.002) QoL compared to those with higher integration scores (Table 2) for confounding, lower integration was associated with lower education (adjusted OR 3.83 [95% CI 1.48-9.94]), deprivation (per 1 point increase, AOR2.24 [95% CI 1.19-4.21]), stigma (per 1 point increase: negative self-image AOR 1.34 [95% CI 1.09-1.66], disclosure concern AOR 1.34 [95% CI1.04-1.73] and concern with public attitudes AOR 1.31 [95% CI 1.02-1.68]), poorer physical (per 1 point decrease, AOR 1.20 [95% CI 1.04-1.39]) andpsychological health (per 1 point decrease, AOR 1.31 [95% CI 1.06-1.61]). Conclusions: Lower level of integration among MWH in Italy is associated with stigma, deprivation, and poorer health and quality of life.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
