Journal of Community Health
Volume 28, Issue 1, 2003, Pages 19-39

Human cargo: Health conditions of chinese migrants interdicted offshore by U.S. authorities (Article)

Schneider D.L.* , Steiner R. , Romaine J.
  • a Hlth. Rsrc. and Serv. Administration, Bureau of Primary Health Care, Div. of Immigration Health Services, Washington, DC, United States, U.S. Public Health Service, Div. of Immigration Health Services, 1220 L Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005, United States
  • b Hlth. Rsrc. and Serv. Administration, Bureau of Primary Health Care, Div. of Immigration Health Services, Washington, DC, United States
  • c George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States, Office of Policy and Public Liaison, Natl. Inst. Alcohol Abuse Alcoholism, Rockville, MD, United States

Abstract

During the eight month period between April and December 1999, the United States Coast Guard intercepted seven boats carrying migrants from the People's Republic of China destined for the United States. These migrants were processed by the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service in three locations: Tinian Island, Midway Island, and Guatemala. Emergency Medical Response Teams from the United States Public Health Service, Division of Immigration Health Services, were deployed to conduct initial health screenings of the 913 migrants on board these ships and provide on-going health care until the individuals were repatriated or relocated. The distributions of demographic characteristics of the population and the health conditions observed are presented. Differences in health conditions observed by temporary detention location, sex, and age group were assessed. The majority of migrants were males younger than age 30. Few serious illnesses were observed. The most prevalent conditions included skin rashes, fungal rashes, upper respiratory infections, abdominal discomfort, scabies, abrasions, skin lesions, headache, pain and/or injuries, dental problems, and ear problems. For many health conditions, statistically significant differences were observed by location. For nearly all conditions for which differences were observed by sex, these differences were accounted for by a greater proportion of females presenting with the condition.

Author Keywords

illegal migrants International health Mass influx Chinese migrants Migrant health

Index Keywords

tooth disease China immigrant Guatemala Chinese multicenter study public health service mass screening clinical trial skin abrasion abdominal pain upper respiratory tract infection human immigration sex difference middle aged statistics prisoner injury Prisoners pain health status comparative study ear disease ethnology rash statistical significance Cross-Sectional Studies skin defect United States cross-sectional study Humans Adolescent headache male female Pacific islands military medicine Article scabies adult migration government age distribution disease severity mycosis Transients and Migrants Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0038351112&doi=10.1023%2fA%3a1021329021255&partnerID=40&md5=3d80b4df879bdbfbf17c0a32bb7824ec
DOI: 10.1023/A:1021329021255
ISSN: 00945145
Cited by: 2
Original Language: English