Noninfectious Disease Among the Bhutanese Refugee Population at a United States Urban Clinic

Kumar, Gayathri S.; Varma, Selina; Saenger, M.; Burleson, Molly; Kohrt, Brandon A.; Cantey, Paul T.

doi:10.1007/s10903-013-9800-1

Cited by 34 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…Most importantly, the analysis of the diagnoses revealed a higher burden of non-communicable diseases in this population, which seems to be consistent with other studies [19, 21, 31], yet at odds with others [4]. The fact that a significant portion of the patients had elevated BP readings hints at the potentially high prevalence of hypertension in this population.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

“…In terms of BMI, 50.9% (n = 262) of the SARHC patients were either overweight or obese, compared to 70.2% of US adults [18]. This is consistent with another Bhutanese population study [19] and the Iraqi refugees’ healthcare profile [20]. Additionally, the prevalence of obesity in our sample was 16.5%, which is lower than that of the general US population at 37.7% [18].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

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San Antonio refugees: Their demographics, healthcare profiles, and how to better serve them

Adel

Bernstein

Tcheyan³

et al. 2019

PLoS ONE

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Objective The recent refugee crisis has resulted in the largest burden of displacement in history, with the US being the top resettlement country since 1975. Texas welcomed the second most US-bound refugees in 2016, with a large percentage arriving in San Antonio. Yet, the composition of the San Antonio refugees has not been described and their healthcare needs remain ill-defined. Through this study, we aim at elucidating their demographics and healthcare profiles, with the goal of devising recommendations to help guide refugee program development and guide other refugee resettlement programs. Methods Data from 731 charts belonging to 448 patients at the San Antonio Refugee Health Clinic (SARHC) were extracted and analyzed. Data included age, gender, country of origin, first language, interpretation need, health insurance status, medical history, vital signs, diagnoses, and prescribed medications. Results Women constituted the majority of patients (n = 267; 56.4%), and the median age of all patients was 39 (Q1:26, Q3:52). Nepali-speaking Bhutanese patients were the most represented group (n = 107, 43.1%), followed by Iraqi (n = 35, 14.1%), Burmese (n = 30, 12.1%), and Iranian (n = 19, 7.7%) refugees. Of those who responded, 200 (86.6%) did not have any form of health insurance. Additionally, 262 (50.9%) had a body-mass index (BMI) in the overweight or obese range. Further, 61.4% (n = 337) had blood pressures in the hypertensive range, while 9.3% (n = 51) had an elevated blood pressure. On average, each patient had 1.9 complaints, with abdominal pain, headaches, and cough being the predominant complaints. Allergic rhinitis, viral upper respiratory infections, and elevated blood pressure were the most common diagnoses. However, the list of common diagnoses differed per country of origin. Conclusion The SARHC demographics were different from those of other Texas refugees. The rate of the uninsured and the burden of non-communicable diseases were high. Furthermore, each refugee subgroup had a different set of common problems. These findings reveal important considerations for refugee healthcare providers and the unique approach that may be required for different communities.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

San Antonio refugees: Their demographics, healthcare profiles, and how to better serve them

Adel

Bernstein

Tcheyan³

et al. 2019

PLoS ONE

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“…However, recent research has shown that refugee populations carry a significant burden of chronic diseases. Rates of hypertension, diabetes, and obesity, have been shown to be as high as 30%, 14%, and 64.8% respectively (Bhatta, Shakya, Assad & Zullo 2015;Kumar et al 2014;Redditt, Graziano, Janakiram & Rashid 2015). There are many factors contributing to this occurrence, including acculturation, food insecurity, poverty, and varying health beliefs.…”

Section: Chronic Diseasementioning

confidence: 99%

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

Duckles¹,

Barden-Maja²,

Caplow³

2018

rgh

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The number of forcibly displaced individuals worldwide is increasing each year, reaching 65 million persons by the end of 2015, half of which were women and children. As the population of displaced persons grows, it is every physician's responsibility to understand these patients and their health needs. Refugee patients and the providers who care for them face many barriers to effective patient care, including language barriers, cultural differences, and systematic inequalities. Female refugees commonly experience gender-based violence, repetitive trauma, stigmatized mental illness, and cultural barriers to women's healthcare. This review is intended to be a comprehensive guide for the provider caring for the recently resettled female refugee patient. It addresses general considerations for working with refugee patients, initial medical evaluation guidelines, specific women's health issues, and mental health care of female refugee patients.

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“…Factors associated with depression symptoms were not having enough income, poor health and inability to read and write. Another study by Kumar et al (2014) found nearly 59 percent of Bhutanese Nepali visiting a clinic in Atlanta had at least one chronic disease. Their analysis further found a high level of overweight, obesity and diabetes among the refugees (52 percent).…”

Section: Bhutanese Refugees In the Usmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adjusting to the New World: A Study of Bhutanese Refugees’ Adaptation in the US

Roka¹

2017

JSSW

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Refugee resettlement is a complex process that involves adjustment from both the host community and the newly arrived refugees. Failure to adjust to the new society would develop symptoms of anxiety, depression and psychological distress. This paper discusses the challenges and opportunities experienced by the Bhutanese Nepali or Lhotsampas refugees resettled in the US from 2008 onwards. It discusses the result of a qualitative study of 35 resettled Bhutanese in three US cities: Madison, WI, and Scranton and Pittsburgh, PA. Findings suggest for improvement in the resettlement process at the local and national levels.

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Noninfectious Disease Among the Bhutanese Refugee Population at a United States Urban Clinic

Cited by 34 publications

References 8 publications

San Antonio refugees: Their demographics, healthcare profiles, and how to better serve them

San Antonio refugees: Their demographics, healthcare profiles, and how to better serve them

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

Adjusting to the New World: A Study of Bhutanese Refugees’ Adaptation in the US

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