Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “REFUGEES”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 937 records · Page 52Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Undiagnosed and potentially lethal parasite infections among immigrants and refugees in Australia.

Intestinal parasite infections are a major cause of ill health in many resource-poor countries. This study compares the types and rates of these infections and their risk factors in recently arrived and long-term immigrants in Australia. Cross-sectional surveys of 127 East African and 234 Cambodian immigrants and refugees were undertaken in 2000 and 2002, respectively, to assess the burden of intestinal parasites and collect demographic information. Serum samples were assessed for eosinophilia and Strongyloides stercoralis and Schistosoma antibodies, and feces examined for ova, cysts, and parasites. Intestinal parasites were identified in 77/117 fecal samples from East African and in 25/204 samples collected from Cambodian participants. Eleven percent (14/124) of East Africans and 42% (97/230) of Cambodians had positive or equivocal serology for S stercoralis. Schistosoma serology was positive or equivocal in 15% (19/124) of East African participants. Potentially serious intestinal parasite infections are common among recent and longer term immigrants despite multiple visits to health care providers. Immigrants and refugees from high-risk countries would benefit from comprehensive health checks soon after resettlement.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Third Class Medicine: Health Care for Refugees in Germany.

The fiftieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights provides an opportunity to scrutinize the policies of wealthier countries towards refugees and asylum seekers. Although Germany is host to two-thirds of all individuals seeking asylum in European countries, it is now taking a hard line with respect to asylum policies. This article examines the forces behind these policies which, contrary to their rationalization, do not save "tax money," but actually make life for the recipients as difficult as possible. Studies of asylum hearings show that clues indicating past trauma or torture of asylum seekers are often ignored. In addition, the administrative procedures required for the provision of health care to refugees and asylum seekers have resulted in inflated bureaucracy and excessive costs, all the while providing only third class medicine. International NGOs and human rights organizations must put pressure on governments to live up to the promises of the UDHR.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1997

The Links between Legal Status and Environmental Health: A Case Study of Mozambican Refugees and Their Hosts in the Mpumalanga (Eastern Transvaal) Lowveld, South Africa.

This article relates the legal status of Mozambicans in South Africa from 1985 onwards to key findings of a demographic census taken in 1992, an environmental health survey conducted in 1993, and in-depth fieldwork in some of the surveyed settlements in 1995. The case study area on the border with Mozambique is typical of South Africa's rural former homelands, with the exception that it has a large and long-standing refugee population. The environmental health indicators for refugees are considerably worse than for their hosts, and in-depth fieldwork suggests that this can be attributed to their legal and political vulnerability. This raises issues for South Africa's Reconstruction and Development Program, as well as conceptual challenges for promoters of human rights.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1999

Perceived racial discrimination, depression, and coping: a study of Southeast Asian refugees in Canada.

Using data obtained from personal interviews with 647 Southeast Asian refugees in Canada, this study tests hypotheses regarding both the association between perceived racial discrimination and depression, and the roles of coping and ethnic identity in conditioning the nature of the discrimination-depression relation. Refugees who reported that they had experienced racial discrimination had higher depression levels than their counterparts who reported no such experiences. Responding to discrimination through confrontation was not significantly associated with depression. Study findings support the effectiveness of forbearance in diminishing the strength of the association between discrimination and depression. The moderating effect of forbearance was conditioned by the level of ethnic identity: The beneficial effect of forbearance was significantly greater among those holding stronger ethnic identification. Cultural and situational interpretations of the findings are presented.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2002

Cultural feeding practices and child-raising philosophy contribute to iron-deficiency anemia in refugee Hmong children.

OBJECTIVE: Iron-deficiency anemia is high in refugee Hmong toddlers attending Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) sites in St. Paul, Minnesota. We investigated social and cultural reasons for feeding practices of Hmong parents that result in excessive milk and inadequate food intake among infants and toddlers contributing to iron-deficiency anemia. DESIGN: In-depth interviews with community members. Focus-group interviews with caregivers. Discussions of results with a professional healthcare group. SETTING: St. Paul, Minnesota in 1997-1998. PARTICIPANTS: Eight Hmong and 7 non-Hmong community members. Thirty-two Hmong parents in focus groups. Thirteen Hmong and 11 non-Hmong healthcare professionals. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Qualitative analysis identified themes from community and focus-group interviews. Professional group discussed meaning of results. RESULTS: To successfully adjust to American lifestyle demands, Hmong refugee families bottle-feed, rather than breast-feed, their infants. In the traditional demand pattern, bottle-feeding can cause infants to be given too much milk at the expense of solid food, and can teach them to prefer milk to food. As these infants become toddlers, caregivers have difficulty weaning them due to a child-raising philosophy of "hlu" that caters to children's desires. CONCLUSION: Hmong caregivers' child-raising philosophy of "hlu" coupled with feeding practices chosen to adjust to American society contribute to the high rate of iron-deficiency anemia in Hmong toddlers.

Acculturation↗
PubMed2002

[Many psychiatric disorders in Afghan refugees with residential status in Drenthe, especially depressive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of psychiatric disorders and help-seeking behaviour of Afghan refugees with a residence status in the province of Drenthe, the Netherlands. DESIGN: Cross-sectional prevalence study. METHOD: By means of a modified multiflex snowball sampling with 3 primary informants, 55 Afghan households in 16 towns and villages in Drenthe were selected. After informed consent had been obtained, 51 adults completed a sociodemographic questionnaire and a culturally validated shortened 'Composite international diagnostic interview' (CIDI), DSM-IV version. Help-seeking behaviour was recorded. RESULTS: Half of the sample had resided in the Netherlands for at least 3 years. There was a high level of education, an unemployment level of 88% and moderate to poor language skills in 92% of the respondents. The prevalence of psychiatric disorders was 65% (95% CI: 52-78); depressive disorder occurred in 57% and posttraumatic stress disorder in 35%. Psychopathological findings were related to poor language skills, a lower level of education and unemployment. A total of 56% received treatment from a general practitioner and 4% were under psychiatric treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of psychiatric disorders among adult Afghan refugees in Drenthe with a residence status was considerably higher than among the general population in the Netherlands.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Canada's response to refugees.

"This paper traces types and numbers of refugees to Canada since World War II. As policy and practices have evolved considerably in that period a brief review of key developments precedes the discussion of Canada's response to the current refugee situation."

Americas↗
PubMed1990

[Campaign against the vectors of onchocerciasis in the surroundings of a refugee camp located in a savanna zone of Cameroon].

In view of the risks of onchocerciasis facing Chadian refugees who have settled in a camp in a savanna hyperendemic area of northern Cameroon, the authors concluded that a vector control directed against the black fly larvae located on small seasonal tributaries of the main water course of this area should be carried out during the four to five months of the rainy season, i.e., during the whole period of transmission of this disease. The operations were undertaken during two consecutive rainy seasons. The first year consisted in developing ground-based control techniques and evaluating the larvicidal efficacy at the larval level. The second year was, particularly, devoted to the study of the impact of the vector control on the biting rate and on the transmission of onchocerciasis. Every week, three of the tributaries close to the camp were treated with an Emulsifiable Concentrate of temephos. Throughout the rainy season, the larvicide eliminated almost all the pre-adult black fly stages on these water courses. At the point in a high onchocercal endemicity area, it also reduced the biting rate by 60% and the Annual Transmission Potential by 72%, i.e., to values corresponding to the lower meso-endemicity threshold. Since these results were obtained at a very unfavourable point from the standpoint of black fly density and onchocerciasis transmission, the authors consider that vector control carried out under these conditions protects the local populations and the Chadian refugees effectively from black fly bites and a risk of severe onchocerciasis.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Markers of hepatitis B in a group of Vietnamese boat-refugees in the Netherlands.

The first 541 Vietnamese boat-refugees who arrived in the Netherlands were examined for markers of hepatitis B. Hepatitis-B surface antigen (HBs-ag) was present in 16.6% of the group (19.4% in males and 13.5% in females). This difference was significant in the 0-19 year age-group (P less than 0.05). 45.8% of the refugees demonstrated antibody against the hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs). In about 30% of the group the markers HBs-ag, anti-HBs and antibody against the core-antigen (anti-HBc) were absent. Females were without these markers of a past infection more often than males (35 against 24%; P less than 0.001). In the age-group 20-29 years these markers were absent in one out of every eight men and in one out of every four women (P less than 0.01). 27% of the group was positive for HBs-ag and or anti-HBc, making them potentially infectious (male 32.9% and female 20.1%; P less than 0.001). Among the HBs-ag-positives the e-antigen could be demonstrated in 58%. Newborns in this group are considered to be candidates for vaccination with the hepatitis-B vaccine.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

[Frequency and significance of parasitic infections in refugees from vietnam (author's transl)].

In the course of the medical care which is provided for the refugees from Southeast Asia 100 persons were tested for intestinal parasites (helminths and protozoa). In addition serum samples were obtained from 72 of these and tested in several tests (CFT, FAT, IHA and SFT) using antigens of Entamoeba histolytica, Leishmania donovani, Toxoplasma gondii, Schistosoma spp., Fasciola hepatica, Echinococcus spp., Trichinella spiralis and Litomosoides carinii. In 49 persons infections with one, two or even three species of intestinal helminths were detected (helminthic index: 63%). In detail the following infection-rates were found: Ascaris lumbricoides 41%, Trichuris trichiura 11%, Ancylostoma spp. 10% and Clonorchis sinensis 1%. Besides infections with apathogenic protozoa (Entamoeba coli, Entamoeba hartmani, Dientamoeba fragilis, Endolimax nana, Jodamoeba buetschlii and Blastocystis hominis) infections with Entamoeba histolytica were found in 3% and with Lamblia intestinalis in 4%. The results of the serological tests did not reveal any acute infection with any of the extraintestinal parasites mentioned above, although some of the low titres may reflect old infections. In particular it is surprising that none of the sera reacted against Toxoplasma gondii in dilutions higher than 1 : 16. The results are discussed with respect to risks for the health of the refugees themselves and of the indigenous population.

Austria↗
PubMed1996

Evaluation of cerebrospinal fluid in Southeast Asian refugees with reactive serologic tests for syphilis.

To determine the prevalence of cerebrospinal fluid abnormalities in Southeast Asian refugees with reactive serologic tests for syphilis, we evaluated 65 patients, 36 prospectively and 29 retrospectively, in a primary care clinic. Information was collected on history of treponemal infections, neurologic symptoms and signs, and total protein concentration, leukocyte count, and the VDRL test in the cerebrospinal fluid. Neurologic symptoms were reported by all patients for whom data were available. Abnormal neurologic signs were found or noted in medical records in 15 (42%) prospectively evaluated patients and 9 (64%) of 14 retrospectively evaluated patients for whom data were available. No patient had evidence of congenital or non-neurologic sequelae such as cutaneous or cardiovascular manifestations of syphilis. No patient had a positive cerebrospinal fluid VDRL test, 1 had more than 5 x 10(6) leukocytes per liter (5 leukocytes per mm3), and 6 (9%) had elevated total protein levels in the cerebrospinal fluid. Previous therapy for syphilis was not associated with lower serum VDRL reactions, neurologic symptoms and signs, or cerebrospinal fluid findings. In the absence of other indications, routine examination of the cerebrospinal fluid in seropositive Southeast Asian refugees who have nonspecific neurologic symptoms has a low yield, perhaps because of the high prevalence of yaws in this population, and may not be warranted.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Trained traditional birth attendants as educators of refugee mothers.

Following training courses for traditional birth attendants among refugee Afghan women in Pakistan, a survey was conducted to test the knowledge and practices of the participants and of mothers whose babies had been delivered by them, using untrained birth attendants as the basis for comparison. Marked improvements in knowledge and skills were demonstrated, and recommendations made by the trained birth attendants about breast-feeding, maternal nutrition, immunization and hygiene were generally followed by mothers before and after delivery. Furthermore, far fewer complications and deaths were associated with deliveries performed by trained birth attendants than with those conducted by their untrained colleagues. The training of traditional birth attendants was clearly an effective way to educate women about hygiene and health.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Community health for Rwandan refugees.

Health education and disease prevention programs are essential elements in every health care system. We normally envision community health programs in urban and rural settings across Canada. However, health education and disease prevention have also become a fundamental part of the health care system for refugee communities around the world.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Help for women refugees.

A course has been established in Switzerland which helps women refugees to defend the health of themselves and their families. A major effort is made to meet their linguistic needs and to achieve cultural acceptability.

Acculturation↗
PubMed1984

Pseudoabusive burns in Asian refugees.

Six Southeast Asian refugee children had cigarettelike burn scars on the lower trunk and abdomen. Questioning of the families disclosed that the burns had been the result of therapeutic burning by folk medical healers for prior illnesses. Pediatric practitioners should recognize the therapeutic intent of these injuries to avoid inappropriate accusations of child abuse. They can likewise encourage families to seek less harmful alternative treatments.

Asia, Southeastern↗
PubMed1996

The psychological and medical sequelae of war in Central American refugee mothers and children.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the physical and mainly psychological sequelae of exposure to war in Central American children and their mothers who immigrated to the United States on average 4 years before the study began. DESIGN: Interview study. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-two immigrant Central American women caretakers and 1 of their children aged 5 to 13 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Standardized and new measures were administered to assess children's physical and mental health symptoms and exposure to political violence. RESULTS: Eighteen of the 22 children had chronic health problems. Fifteen children and all of the adults had observed traumatic events, including bombings and homicides. Thirteen of the children showed mental health symptom profiles above established norms, although only 2 met the criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder according to their own reports. Many of the caretakers were unaware of their child's psychological distress. Four of the mothers exhibited posttraumatic stress disorder, and their symptoms predicted their child's mental health. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatricians are sometimes the first and only contacts these families have with health care providers. Caretakers' reports of children's mental health are often incomplete. It is therefore important for physicians to probe for "hidden" symptoms in refugee children. These family members may need referrals to social and psychological services, and pediatricians can open the gates to existing community networks of support. Because we found that maternal mental health influences the child's, the child's interests are well served when pediatricians also encourage the mother to contact services for herself if she confides that she is experiencing some of the severe psychological sequelae reported by the women in this study.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

Adaptation problems of Vietnamese refugees. II. Life changes and perception of life events.

The Vietnamese refugees have encountered a multitude of acute psychological, social, cultural, economic, and political upheavals. This study documents the Vietnamese perceptions of the life events that have swirled about them as well as the occurrences of these life events. Questionnaires were administered in 1975 and 1976 as part of an ongoing study. The expected high amount of life change in the year of the evacuation and resettlement (1975) continued into the following year (1976). Financial, life-style, work, spouse, and schooling problems continued to plague them and were increased in the second year. There was a positive correlation between life change and health status. The Vietnamese rank ordered the impact of life events in a fashion similar to the Americans, but there were differences in mean magnitude estimations. Substantial reductions in magnitude estimations at second administration of the Social Readjustment Rating Questionnaire indicated a change in the situational perception set with time.

Acculturation↗