Looking beyond: complex holistic care needs of Syrian and Iraqi refugee children and adolescents

Lindsay, Kristen; Hanes, Gemma; Mutch, Raewyn; McKinnon, E.; Cherian, Sarah

doi:10.1136/archdischild-2021-322718

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

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“…show that referrals with lower and upper respiratory tract infections, soft tissue infections, and gastroenteritis were significantly more frequent in local children than in refugee and asylum-seeker children. Our results show that high referrals are inconsistent with previous studies (Acoglu et al, 2020;Assi et al, 2019;Erbas ȩt al., 2020;Fahrni et al, 2021;Güngör et al, 2018;Kaya et al, 2021;Klas et al, 2022;Kroening & Dawson-Hahn, 2019;Lindsay et al, 2022;Newman et al, 2019) showing increased infections, airborne diseases and gastroenteritis in refugees and asylum seekers. Lower referral rates for refugees and asylum-seekers may be due to the limited access to health services with limited transport and facilities.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The data clearly show that poor diet leads to nutritional deficiencies such as vitamin B12 deficiency in refugee and asylum‐seeker children. Vitamin D deficiency is due to inadequate diet, limited outdoor activities and reduced exposure to sunlight (Acoglu et al, 2020; Assi et al, 2019; Erbaş et al, 2020; Fahrni et al, 2021; Kaya et al, 2021; Klas et al, 2022; Kroening & Dawson‐Hahn, 2019; Lindsay et al, 2022; Newman et al, 2019). Our findings are consistent with previous studies (Acoglu et al, 2020; Assi et al, 2019; Erbaş et al, 2020; Fahrni et al, 2021; Kaya et al, 2021; Klas et al, 2022; Kroening & Dawson‐Hahn, 2019; Lindsay et al, 2022; Newman et al, 2019) showing chronic health problems such as anaemia, malnutrition, hypovitaminosis D, vitamin B12 deficiency, hypocalcemia, and hyperphosphatemia in refugee and asylum‐seeking children.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Refugee and asylum‐seeker children and health problems in the city of Duzce, Türkiye

Cakmak,

Kocabay,

Temizkan

et al. 2024

Child

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IntroductionThis study examines the health problems and healthcare needs of refugee and asylum‐seeker children and aims to develop strategies for improvement.MethodsBased on quantitative data from 448 refugee and asylum‐seeker children and 222 non‐refugee local children, this study was conducted at Düzce University, Department of Paediatrics, between 2010 and 2021. The refugee children originated from three countries: Iraq (n = 304), Syria (n = 101) and Afghanistan (n = 43). The data were analysed using the SPSS data analysis program. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Ethics Committee of Düzce Üniversity.ResultsThe results suggest that refugee and asylum‐seeker children have significantly higher rates of acute illness or infection, malnutrition (p < 0.001) and anaemia (p < 0.001) than local children as a result of living in overcrowded families (p = 0.017) and unhealthy conditions. Adolescent pregnancy (p = 0.049) emerges as an important social problem as a result of child marriage among refugee children, mostly in the form of consanguineous marriages (p < 0.001). The rate of having at least two adolescent pregnancies (under 18) was highest among Syrian refugee girls (p = 0.01). Although refugee and asylum‐seeker children have higher rates of health insurance (between 74% and 95%), they have lower rates of insurance compared to local children. This research also compares the data from three nationalities, including Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq children; Iraqi and Afghan children under the international protection (IP) system with limited social support and rights had worse health conditions compared to other groups. Although Iraqi children had the highest rates of health insurance on admission (p < 0.001), they also had higher rates of chronic diseases (p = 0.001), infections (p = 0.004), allergic rhinitis (p = 0.001) and malnutrition (p < 0.001). The youngest age of admission (p = 0.006) and the shortest length of stay (p = 0.004) were for Afghan children who also had higher rates of upper respiratory infections (p = 0.021).ConclusionsThis study highlights the urgent need for improved screening programmes and the importance of collaborative efforts to address the specific health needs of these populations. Addressing the health status of child refugees is a complex and multifaceted task that requires the active participation of healthcare professionals, policymakers and researchers, each of whom has a crucial role to play.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Refugee and asylum‐seeker children and health problems in the city of Duzce, Türkiye

Cakmak,

Kocabay,

Temizkan

et al. 2024

Child

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Additionally, limited access to medical care, prolonged stays at home, and trauma have aggravated their health and well-being. As a result, this population’s physical and mental health problems are common, including interrupted education, developmental issues, diseases, malnutrition, and more (Lindsay et al, 2022 ). Orphans experience anxiety, hopelessness, and sadness due to losing their direct fatherly care.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Orphans in Syria and Iraq Juggling Balls: Wars, COVID-19, and the NGO’s financial crisis

Abu-Ras

AbuLaban²,

AlQaisi

et al. 2023

International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well

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The COVID-19 pandemic’s impact varies between and within nations, causing new forms of inequality. Refugee and orphan children in conflicted areas are more likely to suffer due to poverty, vulnerability, and limited access to essential services including reduction in donor funding. This qualitative study is the first to assess the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the financial crisis on Iraqi and Syrian orphaned children and their mothers. The Modified Grounded Theory was used for the preliminary analysis to expand the range of themes. This study has identified five major themes: financial crisis, low educational attainment, child labour, mental health issues, violence, and social problems. The impact of COVID-19 children and adolescents’ mental health is of great concern. These multiple crises may significantly impact orphan children and adolescents’ cognitive, mental health, and physical development. It is critical to address mental health issues during the current crisis and to plan for possible future pandemics and their intersecting outcomes. A Holistic approach requires providers to be aware of their clients’ intersecting circumstances and needs using a range of lenses, including the person in the environment, family dynamics, culture, politics, and structural challenges. Offering food, medical supplies, and housing are considered basic needs.

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Emergency paediatric medicine consultation—a practical guide to a consultation with refugee and asylum-seeking children within the paediatric emergency department

et al. 2023

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There are increasing numbers of refugee and asylum-seeking children entering the UK annually who face significant barriers to accessing healthcare services. Clinicians working in the emergency department should have an awareness of the journeys children may have taken and the barriers they face in accessing care and have a holistic approach to care provision. We conducted a narrative literature review and used experiential knowledge of paediatricians working in the Paediatric Emergency Department to formulate a step-by-step screening tool. We have formulated a step-by-step screening tool, CCHILDS (Communication, Communicable diseases, Health—physical and mental, Immunisation, Look after (safeguarding), Deficiencies, Sexual health) which can be used by healthcare professionals in the emergency department.Conclusion: Due to increasing numbers of refugee and asylum-seeking children, it is important that every point of contact with healthcare professionals is an impactful one on their health, well-being and development. Future work would include validation of our tool. What is Known: •The number of refugees globally are rapidly increasing, leading to an increase in the number of presentations to the PED. These patients are often medically complex and may have unique and sometimes unexpected presentations that could be attributed to by their past. There are a multitude of resources available outlining guidance on the assessment and management of refugee children. What is New: •This review aims to succinctly summarise the guidance surrounding the assessment of refugee children presenting to the PED and ensure that healthcare professionals are aware of the pertinent information regarding this cohort. It introduces the CCHILDS assessment tool which has been formulated through a narrative review of the literature and acts as a mnemonic to aid professionals in their assessment of refugee children in the PED.

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Looking beyond: complex holistic care needs of Syrian and Iraqi refugee children and adolescents

Cited by 5 publications

References 43 publications

Refugee and asylum‐seeker children and health problems in the city of Duzce, Türkiye

Refugee and asylum‐seeker children and health problems in the city of Duzce, Türkiye

Orphans in Syria and Iraq Juggling Balls: Wars, COVID-19, and the NGO’s financial crisis

Emergency paediatric medicine consultation—a practical guide to a consultation with refugee and asylum-seeking children within the paediatric emergency department

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