Outreach information campaigns for awareness and screening of strongyloidiasis and Chagas disease among Latin American migrants: uncovering a hidden public health burden in a non-endemic country.

Background: Chagas disease and strongyloidiasis are endemic in Latin America, but both infections have become diseases of global concern due to migration flows. During the last fifteen years, these infections have become emerging infections in Italy as a consequence of the huge immigration from Latin American countries. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of Chagas disease, strongyloidiasis, and their co-infection in a cohort of Latin American migrants living in Rome. Additionally, it seeks to evaluate whether informational outreach campaigns-offered directly within communities and supported by local leaders-could represent a possible approach to reveal the hidden public health burden of these neglected infections among migrant populations.

Methods: Six community-based information campaigns on Chagas disease and strongyloidiasis were performed in Rome (Italy) in public events or in homes occupied by migrants from Latin America, inviting people to carry out screening tests at the National Institute for Health, Migration and Poverty clinic.

Results: 344 adults were tested for Chagas disease and strongyloidiasis. The overall prevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi infection was 7.8% (27/344). Of the positive results, 77.8% (21/27) were observed in persons originating from Bolivia. The prevalence of strongyloidiasis was 10.5% (36/344). Of the positive results, 69.4% (25/36)were among persons originating from Bolivia, out 27(22.2%) individuals tested positive for both Trypanosoma cruzi and Strongyloides stercoralis.

Conclusions: Our findings indicate that targeted informational outreach campaigns-particularly those embedded within cultural, recreational, and sporting events-can be an effective strategy for promoting systematic and combined screening for Chagas disease and strongyloidiasis. Such initiatives not only raise public health awareness among Latin American migrants in non-endemic settings but also help to uncover a largely overlooked public health issue.