Towards better health for refugee children and young people in Australia and New Zealand: The Royal Australasian College of Physicians perspective

Zwi, Karen; Raman, Shanti; Burgner, David; Faniran, Shola; Voss, Lesley; Blick, Bijou; Osborn, Mary; Borg, Colin; Smith, Mitchell

doi:10.1111/j.1440-1754.2007.01152.x

Cited by 19 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…The RHC assessment frequently identified comorbidities often not evident at time of referral. These data reinforce the need for an initial comprehensive multidisciplinary post‐resettlement health assessment for refugees, 6,7 including specialist services for children and adolescents, and agreed referral pathways to other specialist services 6,7 . Additional diagnoses by RHC staff determined the majority of onward referrals to colleagues and sub‐specialist paediatric services co‐located at the same hospital as the RHC, and patient attendance was facilitated by RHC liaison nursing staff.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 57%

“…Refugee children are an increasing population in Australia and often have complex health and psychosocial needs 2,5–8 . This is the first study to document prospectively the characteristics of refugee children referred to a specialist referral clinic following resettlement in a high‐income country.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This vulnerable population has complex medical, psychological and social health needs, many of which may be unfamiliar to practitioners 2,3 . The Australian Government and the Royal Australasian College of Physicians 4 support voluntarycomprehensive health assessment following resettlement to identify acute and chronic health issues that are particularly prevalent in refugees 2,5–8 …”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Tertiary paediatric refugee health clinic in Western Australia: Analysis of the first 1026 children

Mutch

Cherian

Nemba

et al. 2012

J Paediatrics Child Health

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Aim: Children account for approximately half of the humanitarian refugees currently resettled in Australia. A multidisciplinary refugee health clinic (RHC) was established at the tertiary paediatric hospital in Western Australia to address burgeoning referrals of refugee children following voluntary post‐resettlement health assessment. The aim of this study is to describe the epidemiology of common conditions in resettled paediatric refugees attending a tertiary multidisciplinary RHC. Methods: Standardised clinical and demographic data were routinely collected during first visit clinical assessment at the RHC. Descriptive analyses of the first 1026 children are presented. Results: One thousand twenty‐six refugee children from 475 families and over 30 different ethnicities were described. Nine hundred twenty‐seven (90.4%) children were referred following post‐resettlement health assessment. Median age was 7.8 years. Common reasons for referral were: vitamin D deficiency (400, 39%), iron deficiency (226, 22%), positive Helicobacter pylori serology (206, 21%), poor appetite (175, 17.1%), and schistosomiasis (170, 16.6%). Comorbidities identified by the RHC included tinea capitis and corporis (297, 28.9%), and dental disease (228, 22.2%). Two‐thirds of children (680, 66.3%) had at least one abnormal finding on clinical examination that identified pathologies that were not evident from the history. Three hundred eighty children (37%) were referred to sub‐specialty services. Conclusions: A multidisciplinary paediatric RHC facilitated and strengthened the management of refugee children with multiple and complex health needs. Evidenced–based culturally appropriate methods to identify developmental delay, psychological morbidity and quantify social needs of this vulnerable population remain uncertain. These findings are relevant to the continuing evolution of paediatric refugee health care in Australia and other high income countries.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 57%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Tertiary paediatric refugee health clinic in Western Australia: Analysis of the first 1026 children

Mutch

Cherian

Nemba

et al. 2012

J Paediatrics Child Health

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“…Refugees and people seeking asylum, particularly in Australia, are not a homogenous population, they arrive from different countries and cultures (10)(11)(12) with complex health needs, and many experience trauma before, and during their deleterious journey (11)(12)(13). Furthermore, they may face the effects of continued disadvantage, poverty and dependence in their new country, which are determinants of both poor physical and mental health.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although the majority of refugees adapt to a new life and successfully integrate into the community, many face long-term healthcare challenges due to ongoing and existing health conditions. Drastic and frequent reforms in government policies and practices, and/or variability in classification of refugees and their entitlements make access to healthcare problematic, and under certain circumstances some refugees are denied rights to both employment and welfare benefits (12,16). The international community faces numerous challenges in this regard.…”

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confidence: 99%

Refugee health and rehabilitation: Challenges and response

Khan¹,

Amatya²

2017

J Rehabil Med

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Background:The current global refugee crisis poses major challenges in providing effective healthcare to refugees, particularly for non-communicable diseases management and disability. This article provides an overview of refugee health and potential challenges from the rehabilitation perspective. Methods: A literature search (both academic and grey literature) was conducted using medical and health science electronic databases and internet search engines (2001-2016). Both authors independently selected studies. Due to heterogeneity amongst identified articles, a narrative analysis was performed for best-evidence synthesis to outline the current health and rehabilitation status of refugees and existing gaps in care. Results: Data suggest that infectious diseases requiring treatment in refugees are a minority; whilst non-communicable diseases, musculoskeletal conditions are prevalent. Many refugees arrive with complex health needs. One in 6 refugees have a physical health problem severely affecting their lives and twothirds experience mental health problems, signifying the important role of rehabilitation. Refugees face continued disadvantage, poverty and dependence due to lack of cohesive support in their new country, which are determinants of both poor physical and mental health. This is compounded by language barriers, impoverishment, and lack of familiarity with the local environment and healthcare system. In Australia, there are concerns about sexual and gender-based violence in off-shore detention camps. Targeted physical and cognitive rehabilitative strategies have much to offer these vulnerable people to allow for improved activity and participation. Conclusion: Strong leadership and effective action from national and international bodies is urgently needed to develop comprehensive rehabilitation-inclusive medical care for refugees.

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