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Scales SE, Park JW, Nixon R, Guha-Sapir D, Horney JA. A retrospective cross-sectional study of risk factors for communicable disease diagnoses among refugees in mainland Greek camps, 2016-2017. Sci Rep 2024; 14:15164. [PMID: 38956149 PMCID: PMC11219990 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-65696-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Communicable disease risk is high in refugee camps and reception centers. To better understand the risks for communicable disease diagnoses among refugees and asylum seekers, this study assesses individual- and camp-level risk factors among individuals utilizing Médecins du Monde clinics in four large refugee camps-Elliniko, Malakasa, Koutsochero, and Raidestos-on mainland Greece between July 2016 and May 2017. Descriptive statistics are reported for the demographic characteristics of the study population and for communicable disease burdens within the four camps-Elliniko, Malakasa, Raidestos, and Koutsochero. A hierarchical generalized linear model was used to assess risk factors for communicable disease diagnoses while accounting for individual-level clustering. This study shows marginal patterns in risk factors for communicable disease. Males had marginally higher risk of communicable disease diagnosis than females (OR = 1.12; 95% CI 0.97-1.29), and increased age was more protective against communicable disease for females (OR = 0.957; 95% CI 0.953-0.961) than for males (OR = 0.963; 95% CI 0.959-0.967). Communicable disease risk was significantly different between camps, with Elliniko (OR = 1.58; 95% CI 1.40-1.79) and Malakasa (OR = 1.43; 95% CI 1.25-1.63) having higher odds of communicable disease than Raidestos. The demographic and epidemiologic profiles of displaced populations differ across settings, and epidemiologic baselines for displaced populations are fundamental to evidence-informed provision of humanitarian aid. Further, while influences and risks for negative health outcomes in complex emergencies are broadly, the causal mechanisms that underpin these relationships are not as well understood. Both practitioners and researchers should engage with further research to elucidate the mechanisms through which these risks operate among displaced populations, including multilevel analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jee Won Park
- Epidemiology Program, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA
| | - Rebecca Nixon
- Department of Geography and Spatial Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA
| | - Debarati Guha-Sapir
- Division of International Health, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Ching AH, Tay T, Brown B, Mohareb AM, Sethi A, Annamalai A. Dermatologic conditions of adult refugees following resettlement in the United States, 2015 to 2018. J Migr Health 2023; 7:100183. [PMID: 37063649 PMCID: PMC10091023 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmh.2023.100183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background There is a paucity of literature regarding dermatologic conditions in migrant and refugee populations. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study of all adult refugees resettling in a region of Connecticut, U.S. from 7 January 2015 to 20 November 2018. We conducted a manual chart review to determine dermatologic conditions diagnosed during and within one year of resettlement. We used multivariable logistic regression to determine demographic and clinical factors associated with having any dermatologic condition. Results We included 545 refugees primarily from Afghanistan (40.6%), Syria (24.6%) and Iraq (10.5%), with a median (interquartile range) age of 33 (28-40) years. Of the 545 participants, 213 (39.1%) had dermatologic conditions. Fifty-four participants (25%) had more than one dermatologic condition and 114 (53.5%) were diagnosed within the first month of resettlement. The most common categories of conditions were cutaneous infections (24.9%), inflammatory conditions (11.1%), and scar or burn (10.7%). Tobacco use was associated with having a cutaneous infection (OR 2.37, 95%CI:1.09-4.95), and younger age was associated with having a scar or burn (for each year increase in age, OR 0.95, 95%CI:0.91-0.99). Conclusion Dermatologic conditions are common among adult refugees. The majority of conditions were diagnosed in the first month following resettlement suggesting that a high number of dermatologic conditions arise or go undetected and untreated during the migration process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann Hui Ching
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Corresponding author.
| | - Tricia Tay
- Lancaster University, Royal Lancaster Infirmary, Lancaster, United Kingdoms
| | - Bryan Brown
- Yale Refugee Health Program, Yale University School of Medicine, United States
- Office of Medical Education, University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine, United States
| | - Amir M. Mohareb
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital. Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School. Boston, MA, United States
| | - Aisha Sethi
- Department of Dermatology, Yale University School of Medicine, United States
| | - Aniyizhai Annamalai
- Yale Refugee Health Program, Yale University School of Medicine, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, United States
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Mroue T, Heras B, Soriano JM, Morales-Suarez-Varela M. Prevalence of Malnutrition among Syrian Refugee Children from Lebanon. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13020453. [PMID: 36836811 PMCID: PMC9961820 DOI: 10.3390/life13020453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Today, the situation of Syrian refugees is one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. To estimate the prevalence of malnutrition among pediatric populations of Syrian refugees, 176 Syrian refugee children, with stays of more than two years at three refugee camps (Zalhé, Deddeh, and Kfar Jouz) or from the town of Yohmor, Lebanon were authorized by their parents to participate in this study. The children were anthropometrically evaluated and height-for-age Z-score (HAZ), weight-for-age Z-score (WAZ), and weight-for-height (WHZ) Z-scores were obtained and compared with WHO standards. Furthermore, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) was analyzed for screening children 6-59 months old. According to the anthropometric measures, no child met the criteria for chronic, global, acute malnutrition (CGAM), severe acute malnutrition (SAM), or moderate acute malnutrition (MAM). In the total sample, 49.4% of participants were moderately thin, with girls presenting a higher prevalence of thinness than that of boys. Thus, the absence of high rates of malnutrition was verified despite the magnitude of the Syrian refugee's problem. The data provided by this study identify the need to carry out further research to assess anthropometric growth and nutritional status among long-staying refugee children in order to prevent any health issues that may arise in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Mroue
- Observatory of Nutrition and Food Safety for Developing Countries, Food & Health Lab, Institute of Materials Science, University of Valencia, 46980 Paterna, Spain
| | - Betlem Heras
- Observatory of Nutrition and Food Safety for Developing Countries, Food & Health Lab, Institute of Materials Science, University of Valencia, 46980 Paterna, Spain
| | - Jose M. Soriano
- Observatory of Nutrition and Food Safety for Developing Countries, Food & Health Lab, Institute of Materials Science, University of Valencia, 46980 Paterna, Spain
- Joint Research Unit on Endocrinology, Nutrition and Clinical Dietetics, Health Research Institute La Fe-University of Valencia, 46026 Valencia, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-963543056
| | - María Morales-Suarez-Varela
- Unit of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Food Sciences, Toxicology and Forensic Medicine, University of Valencia, 46100 Burjassot, Spain
- CIBER in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Institute of Health Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
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Duffey MM, Patel T, Koukaz Y, Sepulveda T, Barbour K, Fredricks K, Weatherhead JE. The impact of neglected tropical diseases on women and girl refugees: A call for increased awareness and strategic intervention. FRONTIERS IN TROPICAL DISEASES 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2022.1095174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
As the number of forcibly displaced women and girls increases, it becomes ever important to recognize the negative health impacts of being displaced. Women and girl refugees are disproportionately affected by sexual and gender-based violence and mental health concerns. In addition to these health concerns in women, crowding and lack of clean water in refugee camps leads to the spread of infectious diseases in general. Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are infectious diseases of poverty found in tropical areas, and longstanding infections lead to significant morbidity. Particularly for women, these diseases can impact fertility, chronic disease in pregnancy, and social stigma. Despite being a high-risk group, there are minimal data on the impact of NTDs on the health of Women and girl refugees. Diseases such as schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminth infections, strongyloidiasis, and leishmaniasis have all been shown to affect Women and girl refugees, but the majority of these data describe NTDs in this population only after resettlement. Access to medical care with providers that are knowledgeable about NTDs while in situations of displacement as well as after third-country resettlement is crucial to their timely diagnosis and treatment to prevent longstanding sequalae. More studies in this at-risk population are needed to understand the extent of this issue and begin to work towards lasting, equitable healthcare.
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Klas J, Grzywacz A, Kulszo K, Grunwald A, Kluz N, Makaryczew M, Samardakiewicz M. Challenges in the Medical and Psychosocial Care of the Paediatric Refugee-A Systematic Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:10656. [PMID: 36078371 PMCID: PMC9517743 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191710656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 08/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND After the invasion of Ukraine, neighbouring countries were forced to find systemic solutions to provide medical care to those fleeing the war, including children, as soon as possible. In order to do this, it is necessary to know the communication problems with refugee minors and find proposals for their solutions. METHODS A systematic review of the literature from 2016 to 2022 was conducted according to PRISMA criteria. RESULTS Linguistic diversity and lack of professional readiness of teachers are the main constraints hindering the assistance of refugee children in schools. Problems during hospitalization include lack of continuity of medical care and lack of retained medical records. Solutions include the use of the 3C model (Communication, Continuity of care, Confidence) and the concept of a group psychological support program. CONCLUSIONS In order to provide effective assistance to refugee minors, it is necessary to create a multidisciplinary system of care. It is hoped that the lessons learned from previous experiences will provide a resource to help refugee host countries prepare for a situation in which they are forced to provide emergency assistance to children fleeing war.
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Shetty AK. Infectious Diseases among Refugee Children. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2019; 6:E129. [PMID: 31783605 PMCID: PMC6955676 DOI: 10.3390/children6120129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 11/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, there has been a substantial increase in refugee and asylum-seeking adults, adolescents and children to high-income countries. Infectious diseases remain the most frequently identified medical diagnosis among U.S.-bound refugee children. Medical screening and immunization are key strategies to reduce the risk of infectious diseases in refugee, internationally adopted, and immigrant children. Notable infectious diseases affecting refugee and other newly arriving migrants include latent or active tuberculosis, human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV), hepatitis B, hepatitis C, vaccine-preventable diseases, malaria, and other parasitic infections. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics have published guidelines for health assessment of newly arriving immigrant, refugee, and internationally adopted children. Although, data on the health risks and needs of refugee exists in some high-income countries, there is an urgent need to develop robust evidence-informed guidance on screening for infectious diseases and vaccination strategies on a broader scale to inform national policies. Innovative approaches to reach migrant communities in the host nations, address health and other complex barriers to improve access to high-quality integrated health services, and strong advocacy to mobilize resources to improve health, safety, and wellbeing for refugee children and their families are urgent priorities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avinash K Shetty
- Department of Pediatrics and Office of Global Health, Wake Forest School of Medicine and Brenner Children's Hospital, Medical Center Blvd, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
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Happle C, Dopfer C, Ernst D, Kleinert E, Vakilzadeh A, Hellms S, Evlampidou I, Hillermann N, Schmidt RE, Behrens GMN, Müller F, Wetzke M, Jablonka A. Pediatric Healthcare Utilization in a Large Cohort of Refugee Children Entering Western Europe During the Migrant Crisis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16224415. [PMID: 31718046 PMCID: PMC6888204 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16224415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2019] [Revised: 11/03/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
: Background: Currently, half of the population displaced worldwide is children and adolescents. Little is known on healthcare demand in underage migrants. MATERIALS AND METHODS We analyzed healthcare utilization in n = 1.411 children and adolescents living in a large German refugee reception in 2015-2016. RESULTS The mean age of all included refugees was 9 years (60.8% male). The majority came from the eastern Mediterranean region. During a mean camp inhabitance of 34 days, 57.6% needed primary healthcare, with a significant inverse correlation of healthcare seeking frequency with age and duration of camp inhabitance. Infants and unaccompanied minors displayed particular high demands for medical help. DISCUSSION Our analysis showed that pediatric primary healthcare in pediatric and adolescent refugees are most sought during the first period upon arrival with particular demand in infants, toddlers, and unaccompanied minors. Based on this data, future care taking strategies should be adapted accordingly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Happle
- Department of Pediatric Pneumology, Allergology, and Neonatology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (C.H.); (C.D.); (M.W.)
- German Center for Lung Research, Biomedical Research in End Stage and Obstructive Lung Disease/BREATH, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Christian Dopfer
- Department of Pediatric Pneumology, Allergology, and Neonatology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (C.H.); (C.D.); (M.W.)
- German Center for Lung Research, Biomedical Research in End Stage and Obstructive Lung Disease/BREATH, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Diana Ernst
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (D.E.); (R.E.S.); (G.M.N.B.)
| | - Evelyn Kleinert
- Department of General Practice, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany; (E.K.); (N.H.); (F.M.)
| | | | - Susanne Hellms
- Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany;
| | | | - Nele Hillermann
- Department of General Practice, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany; (E.K.); (N.H.); (F.M.)
| | - Reinhold E. Schmidt
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (D.E.); (R.E.S.); (G.M.N.B.)
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Hannover-Braunschweig, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Georg M. N. Behrens
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (D.E.); (R.E.S.); (G.M.N.B.)
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Hannover-Braunschweig, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Frank Müller
- Department of General Practice, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany; (E.K.); (N.H.); (F.M.)
| | - Martin Wetzke
- Department of Pediatric Pneumology, Allergology, and Neonatology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (C.H.); (C.D.); (M.W.)
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Hannover-Braunschweig, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Alexandra Jablonka
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (D.E.); (R.E.S.); (G.M.N.B.)
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Hannover-Braunschweig, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-511-532-5337; Fax: +49-511-532-5324
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