Published in:
Open Access
01-04-2020 | Brief Communication
Sociodemographic Characteristics Associated with Harmful Use of Alcohol Among Economically and Socially Disadvantaged Immigrant Patients in Italy
Authors:
Anteo Di Napoli, Teresa Morgillo, Alessandra Rossi, Martina Ventura, Lorenzo Nosotti, Andrea Cavani, Gianfranco Costanzo, Concetta Mirisola, Alessio Petrelli
Published in:
Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
|
Issue 2/2020
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Abstract
In many contexts, individuals with lower socioeconomic status, especially immigrants, have a higher burden of negative alcohol-related consequences and a higher probability of receiving a psychiatric diagnosis. This study aimed at exploring sociodemographic and clinical characteristics associated with harmful use of alcohol (HUA) among immigrant patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Rome (Italy) on a sample of 330 immigrant patients admitted to the gastroenterology outpatient clinic of the INMP (March 2013–October 2014). HUA was evaluated through the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) questionnaire. The presence of psychiatric disorders was diagnosed through SCID I–II interviews. The association between sociodemographic characteristics and psychiatric disorders and HUA was evaluated through a multivariate log-binomial regression model. HUA was associated with unemployment, longer stay in Italy, mood disorder and not being married, especially among African immigrants. We provide original findings about a selected, hard-to-investigate population, suggesting priorities in interventions on HUA among specific vulnerable subgroups.