Psychotic symptoms and general health in a socially disadvantaged migrant community in Bologna

Background and aims. Several evidences showed that social exclusion and reduced access to primary care and mental health services can lead to urgent health problems among immigrants and can explain their increasing admittance to psychiatric in-patient units and high prevalence of psychotic disturbances. The present cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate general health status, distress and prevalence of psychotic symptoms among Romanian immigrants living in very poor conditions at a neglected hotel in Bologna. In Bologna as in Italy, Romanians are one of the largest immigrant communities. Methods. The Psychosis Screening Questionnaire and General Health Questionnaire-12 were administered to all Romanian immigrants residing at the hotel during two index days, with the help of a Romanian cultural mediator. Socio-demographic, migration and health characteristics were also collected. Results. 68 subjects were evaluated. More than 80% left Romania for economic reasons. 57% of immigrants surpassed the 4-point GHQ-12 threshold of potential mental disorders cases; 21% scored positively at the PSQ. The following factors were found to predict positive PSQ: being affected by chronic illness (OR=9.2, 95%CI=2.1–39.9); taking chronic drug therapy (OR=10.4; 95%CI=1.6–64.7); the development of new health problems after migrating (OR=8.8, 95%CI=2.0–38.3). Immigrants with positive PSQ showed higher mean GHQ-12 scores (5.9±3.5, vs. 3.8±2.75; p=0.02). Conclusions. This community of immigrants living in deprived conditions showed a very high prevalence of distress and psychotic symptoms, related with chronic health problems. More attention should be paid to physical and mental health of social disadvantaged immigrants.