Hygiene + Medizin
Volume 41, Issue 11, 2016, Pages D152-D159

Unaccompanied minor asylum seekers (UMA) in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, from 2006 to 2015: General health, prevalence of tuberculosis, parasites and multi-drug resistant pathogens [Unbegleitete minderjährige Asylsuchende (UMA)1 in Frankfurt am Main 2006-2015: Allgemeiner Gesundheitszustand, Prävalenz von Tuberkulose, Parasiten und multiresistenten Erregern] (Article)

Karathana M. , Krackhardt B. , Huber M. , Raupp P. , Götsch U. , Heudorf U.*
  • a Gesundheitsamt Frankfurt, Abtlg. Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Breite Gasse 28, Frankfurt, 60313, Germany
  • b Gesundheitsamt Frankfurt, Abtlg. Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Breite Gasse 28, Frankfurt, 60313, Germany
  • c Gesundheitsamt Frankfurt, Abtlg. Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Breite Gasse 28, Frankfurt, 60313, Germany
  • d Gesundheitsamt Frankfurt, Abtlg. Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Breite Gasse 28, Frankfurt, 60313, Germany
  • e Gesundheitsamt Frankfurt, Abtlg. Infektiologie und Hygiene, Breite Gasse 28, Frankfurt, 60313, Germany
  • f Gesundheitsamt Frankfurt, Abtlg. Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Breite Gasse 28, Frankfurt, 60313, Germany, Gesundheitsamt Frankfurt, Abtlg. Infektiologie und Hygiene, Breite Gasse 28, Frankfurt, 60313, Germany

Abstract

Background: In recent years, an increasing number of asylum seekers came to Germany, including many unaccompanied minor asylum seekers (UMA). Only scarce data about the health situation of UMA in Germany is available. Therefore, health data of the UMA, obtained by standardized medical checks by the Public Health Depar tment Frankfur t Main is repor ted. Methods: The examination includes medical history, tests for vision and hearing, a physical exam, the investigation of tuberculosis (Xray or IGRA test) and a stool examination for pathogenic germs, parasites and worms. In 119 UMA the stool sample was also tested for multidrug-resistant Gram-negative pathogens. Results: From 2006-2015 3,675 UMA were examined. About half of them showed no symptoms or signs of illness. 1 6 % of them suffered from skin findings, mostly scabies or mycoses. In 12 % of the UMA, psychiatric problems were found, part of them with need for further clarification and/or treatment. In 0.9 % of UMA tuberculosis and in 21 % latent tuberculosis were found, with large differences depending on country of origin. Among Somalians rates of tuberculosis (3.4 %) and latent tuberculosis (41.2 %) were highest. In 18 % of stool specimens parasites or worms were found, in more than half of them giardia lamblia antigen. In 35 % of 119 UMA examined for multidrug-resistant pathogens ESBL/MRGN were detectable in the stool. Discussion and Conclusions: Our results on health and especially prevalence of parasites are consistent with the few other studies available. Severe medical conditions were rarely found. Parasites can be treated effectively. Since no multi-drug resistant mycobacteria had been found, this also applies to tuberculosis. However, the many latent tuberculoses are of concern, as they are not yet treated preventively for lack of compliance. High prevalence of ESBL/MRGN underlines the need for good hygiene in accomodation centers for refugee.

Author Keywords

tuberculosis Health condition Parasites Multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) Unaccompagnied minor asylum seekers (UMA)

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85028808405&partnerID=40&md5=04d4efa8404572b07aaf77623de59bb8
ISSN: 01723790
Cited by: 3
Original Language: German