Systematic review of prevention and management strategies for the consequences of gender-based violence in refugee settings

Abstract

Uncertainties continue regarding effective strategies to prevent and address the consequences of gender-based violence (GBV) among refugees. The databases of PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Anthropology Plus, EMBASE, DARE, Google Scholar, MSF Field Research, UNHCR and the regional and global indices of the WHO Global Health Library were searched twice within a 6-month period (April and September 2011) for English-language clinical, public health, basic and social science studies evaluating strategies to prevent and manage health sequelae of GBV among refugees before September 2011. Studies not primarily about prevention and treatment, and not describing population, health outcome and interventions, were excluded. The literature search for the prevention and management arms produced 1212 and 1106 results, respectively. After reviewing the titles and abstracts, 29 and 27 articles were selected for review in their entirety, none of which met the inclusion criteria. Multiple panels of expert recommendations and guidelines were not supported by primary data on actual displaced populations. There is a dire need for research that evaluates the efficacy and effectiveness of various responses to GBV to ultimately allow a transition from largely theoretical and expertise driven to a more evidence-based field. We recommend strategies to improve data collection and to overcome barriers in primary data driven research.

The Medical Evaluation of the Newly Resettled Female Refugee: A Narrative Review

“…For female refugees, the impact of trauma may be amplified through gender-specific violence. Sexual and domestic violence increase during periods of instability and displacement (Asgary, Emery & Wong, 2013). The consequences of gender-based violence are broad, leading not only to psychological distress, but also physical, medical, and social problems for female refugees.…”

Forced migration: Health and human rights issues among refugee populations

“…They are at risk of abuse by those they are fleeing as well as those in the country of refuge. A number of studies have documented the prevalence of gender based violence (GBV) among refugee populations (Asgary, Emery & Wong, 2013; Whelan & Blogg, 2007; Zraly, Rubin-Smith & Betancourt, 2011). All investigators conclude that GBV is a significant and tragic problem worldwide.…”

“…Yet in a systematic review of the literature on prevention and management strategies for consequences of GBV in refugee settings, Asgary et al (2013) did not find a single article evaluating the prevention or treatment of GBV nor the resulting health sequelae. This review attempted to evaluate strategies and approaches for refugee or displaced populations that could prevent and/or manage GBV and its subsequent impact on health.…”

“…Better data collection and health surveillance is needed to impact the health and safety concerns of refugees, as this data is often underreported and of poor quality (Heise, Pitanguy & Germain, 1994). Improved quantity and quality of research on GBV prevention and management approaches is needed to improved delivery of health services and inform policy strategies (Asgary, Emory & Wong, 2013). Nurses, often frontline workers in refugee situations, are well positioned to lead these efforts.…”

Programme potential for the prevention of and response to sexual violence among female refugees: a literature review

“…[28][29][30] Despite these guidelines, there is a gap in understanding how to implement SV prevention and response programmes across diverse humanitarian settings and in particular within transit or in temporary refugee settlements. 33 This review addresses this "know-do" gap, synthesising published literature on the effectiveness of interventions to prevent and respond to SV against female refugees. The review focuses on promising approaches aligned with UNHCR guidelines that have evidence of impact on SV prevalence in humanitarian settings with limited resources, as the majority of refugees are hosted by LMICs.…”