[Results of the application of a health test in a population of immigrants].

OBJECTIVE

To describe the demographic characteristics and the results of a healthcare exam of immigrants.

DESIGN

A retrospective descriptive study.

SETTING

Rural doctor office of Villafranca del Castillo. Madrid.

PATIENTS: All immigrants (n = 76) that came for care between May of 1996 and May of 1998.

INTERVENTIONS: History, physical exam and basic laboratory tests.

RESULTS

Demographic data: 82% are women with a medium age of 33 years (SD 8.49). Their places of origin are Central America: 70%, Philippines: 20%, Africa: 5% and South America: 3%. 97% of them work as household employees or gardeners. They have been living in Spain for an average time of 56 months. Health data: 21.1% are smokers and 17.1% low risk drinkers. 64.5% lack tetanus vaccine and 11.8% lack both tetanus and rubeola vaccines. Serologic test for HBV are negative in 68.4%. 14.5% have past infection and there are no cases of chronic or active infection. PPD is over 10 mm in 35.5%, and between 5 and 10 mm in 7.9%. Prevalence of active TBC is 0%. Stool culture is positive in 6.5%. Salmonella tiphy is identified in one case. Stool examination for ova and parasites is positive in 42.1% of the patients. Protozoos (88%) are more common than helminths (12%).

CONCLUSIONS

This study reveals a selective young and healthy immigrant group. The low presence of hepatitis B and tuberculosis infections are notable. The majority present parasites in stool samples.