Health of Special Immigrant Visa holders from Iraq and Afghanistan after arrival into the United States using Domestic Medical Examination data, 2014–2016: A cross-sectional analysis

Kumar, Gayathri S.; Pezzi, Clelia; Wien, Simone; Mamo, Blain; Scott, Kevin; Payton, Colleen; Urban, Kailey; Hughes, Stephen; Kennedy, Lori; Cabanting, Nuny; Montour, Jessica; Titus, Melissa; Aguirre, Jenny; Kawasaki, Breanna; Ford, Rebecca; Jentes, Emily S.

doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1003083

Cited by 10 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…A combined hepatitis B vaccine given at 6, 10, and 14 weeks of age as part of National Immunization Schedule were introduced in Nepal, Senegal, Malawi, Afghanistan, and Haiti in 2002 [31,32], 2002 [33], 2004 [34], 2006 [35], and 2012 [36,37] respectively. However, the birth dose was introduced only in 2014 in Afghanistan [35], while Senegal introduced the monovalent birth-dose vaccine in 2016 [34]. Yet, the Senegalese government lacks vaccination programme for high risk population such as HCWs [31,32].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence and geo-clinicodemographic factors associated with hepatitis B vaccination among healthcare workers in five developing countries

Duodu

Darkwah

Agbadi³

et al. 2022

BMC Infect Dis

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Background There is a four-fold risk for hepatitis B infection among healthcare workers compared to the general population. Due to limited access to diagnosis and treatment of hepatitis B in many resource-constrained settings, there is a real risk that only few healthcare workers with viral hepatitis may get screened or diagnosed and treated. Studies on hepatitis B vaccination among healthcare workers in developing countries are sparse and this bodes ill for intervention and support. The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence and explored the associated factors that predicted the uptake of the required, full dosage of hepatitis B vaccination among healthcare workers (HCWs) in five developing countries using nationally representative data. Methods We used recent datasets from the Demographic and Health Surveys Program’s Service Provision Assessment Survey. Descriptive summary statistics and logistic regressions were used to produce the results. Statistical significance was pegged at p < 0.05. Results The proportion of HCWs who received the required doses of hepatitis B vaccine in Afghanistan, Haiti, Malawi, Nepal, and Senegal were 69.1%, 11.3%, 15.4%, 46.5%, and 17.6%, respectively. Gender, occupational qualification, and years of education were significant correlates of receiving the required doses of hepatitis B among HCWs. Conclusions Given the increased risk of hepatitis B infection among healthcare workers, policymakers in developing countries should intensify education campaigns among HCWs and, perhaps, must take it a step further by making hepatitis B vaccination compulsory and a key requirement for employment, especially among those workers who regularly encounter bodily fluids of patients.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence and geo-clinicodemographic factors associated with hepatitis B vaccination among healthcare workers in five developing countries

Duodu

Darkwah

Agbadi³

et al. 2022

BMC Infect Dis

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“…Elevated BLLs in Afghan children were also noted in a multistate study of Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders from Iraq and Afghanistan after arrival in the U.S. In 2014-2016, 47.8% of children from Afghanistan had BLLs of 5-9 μg/dL; 10.9% had BLLs of 10-19 μg/dL [13]. In an earlier study of resettled refugees who arrived in the U.S. between 2010 and 2014, children from Afghanistan had the highest prevalence of BLLs ≥ 10 μg/dL (16.7%) of children from any other country of origin [14].…”

Section: Afghan Refugee Children-a Population At Riskmentioning

confidence: 89%

Investigating aluminum cookpots as a source of lead exposure in Afghan refugee children resettled in the United States

Fellows

Samy

Rodriguez

et al. 2022

J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol

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Background Afghan refugee children resettled in Washington State have the highest prevalence of elevated blood lead levels (BLLs) of any other refugee or immigrant population. Resettled families brought several lead-containing items with them from Afghanistan, including aluminum cookpots. Objectives To evaluate the potential contribution of lead-containing cookpots to elevated BLLs in Afghan children and determine whether safer alternative cookware is available. Methods We screened 40 aluminum cookpots for lead content using an X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzer and used a leachate method to estimate the amount of lead that migrates into food. We also tested five stainless steel cookpots to determine whether they would be safer alternatives. Results Many aluminum cookpots contained lead in excess of 100 parts per million (ppm), with a highest detected concentration of 66,374 ppm. Many also leached sufficient lead under simulated cooking and storage conditions to exceed recommended dietary limits. One pressure cooker leached sufficient lead to exceed the childhood limit by 650-fold. In contrast, stainless steel cookpots leached much lower levels of lead. Significance Aluminum cookpots used by refugee families are likely associated with elevated BLLs in local Afghan children. However, this investigation revealed that other U.S. residents, including adults and children, are also at risk of poisoning by lead and other toxic metals from some imported aluminum cookpots. Impact Statement Some aluminum cookware brought from Afghanistan by resettled families as well as cookpots available for purchase in the United States represent a previously unrecognized source of lead exposure.

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“…Furthermore, malnutrition is higher among refugees living in poor socioeconomic conditions and is associated with TB prevalence and its reactivation [ 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 ]. In a recent study, Kumar et al (2020) found that the prevalence of latent TB infection among newly arriving refugees into the United States was significant high in Afghan population [ 29 ]. Hence, awareness for TB, strength of the surveillance strategies, compliance with measures to limit transmission and training of healthcare workers should be optimised.…”

Section: Infectious Diseasesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Haq et al studied the prevalence of Giardia intestinalis and Hymenoleps in a cross-sectional analysis of Special Immigrant Visa holders from Afghanistan into the United States and found high prevalence (30.7%) of at least one intestinal parasite. The most commonly detected parasites were Blastocystis, Giardia, and Dientamoeba [ 29 ]. Given that parasitic diseases may cause severe and lethal diseases [ 47 ], prompt prevention and eradication therapies should be established, especially for this vulnerable population.…”

Section: Infectious Diseasesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Health Status of Afghan Refugees in Europe: Policy and Practice Implications for an Optimised Healthcare

Matsangos¹,

Ziaka

Exadaktylos

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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Four decades of civil war, violence, and destabilisation have forced millions of Afghans to flee their homes and to move to other countries worldwide. This increasing phenomenon may challenge physicians unfamiliar with the health status of this population, which may be markedly different from that of the host country. Moreover, several factors during their migration, such as transport in closed containers, accidental injuries, malnutrition, and accommodation in detention centres and refugee camps have a major influence on the health of refugees. By taking into account the variety of the specific diseases among migrant groups, the diversity of the origins of refugees and asylum seekers, and the increasing numbers of Afghan refugees, in this review we focus on the population of Afghans and describe their health status with the aim of optimising our medical approach and management. Our literature review shows that the most prevalent reported infections are tuberculosis and other respiratory tract infections and parasitic diseases, for example leishmaniasis, malaria, and intestinal parasitic infections. Anaemia, hyperlipidaemia, arterial hypertension, diabetes, smoking, overweight, malnutrition, low socioeconomic status, and poor access to healthcare facilities are additional risk factors for non-communicable diseases among Afghan refugees. With regards mental health issues, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are the most common diagnoses and culture shock and the feeling of being uprooted modulate their persistence. Further research is needed in order to provide us with extensive, high-quality data about the health status of Afghan refugees. The main objective of this review is to identify protective factors which could ensure key health concepts and good clinical practice.

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Health of Special Immigrant Visa holders from Iraq and Afghanistan after arrival into the United States using Domestic Medical Examination data, 2014–2016: A cross-sectional analysis

Cited by 10 publications

References 22 publications

Prevalence and geo-clinicodemographic factors associated with hepatitis B vaccination among healthcare workers in five developing countries

Prevalence and geo-clinicodemographic factors associated with hepatitis B vaccination among healthcare workers in five developing countries

Investigating aluminum cookpots as a source of lead exposure in Afghan refugee children resettled in the United States

Health Status of Afghan Refugees in Europe: Policy and Practice Implications for an Optimised Healthcare

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