American Journal of Human Biology
Volume 30, Issue 1, 2018

Positive effects of refugee presence on host community nutritional status in Turkana County, Kenya (Article)

Gengo R.G.* , Oka R.C. , Vemuru V. , Golitko M. , Gettler L.T.
  • a Department of Anthropology, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, United States, Kellogg Institute for International Studies, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, United States, Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, United States
  • b Department of Anthropology, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, United States, Kellogg Institute for International Studies, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, United States, Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, United States, Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, United States
  • c The World Bank, Washington, DC 20433, United States
  • d Department of Anthropology, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, United States
  • e Department of Anthropology, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, United States, Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, United States

Abstract

Objectives: Refugee camps are often assumed to negatively impact local host communities through resource competition and conflict. We ask instead whether economic resources and trade networks associated with refugees have benefits for host community health and nutrition. To address this question we assess the impacts of Kakuma Refugee Camp in northwest Kenya, comparing anthropometric indicators of nutritional status between Turkana communities in the region. Methods: Participants were recruited at four sites in Turkana County (N = 586): Kakuma Town, adjacent to Kakuma Refugee Camp; Lorugum, an area with sustained economic development; Lokichoggio, formerly host to international NGOs, and now underdeveloped; and Lorengo, an undeveloped, rural community. We evaluated nutritional status using summed skinfold thickness and body mass index (BMI). Structured interviews provided contextual data. Results: Age-controlled multiple regression models reveal two distinct skinfold thickness profiles for both sexes: comparatively elevated values in Kakuma and Lorugum, and significantly lower values in Lorengo and Lokichoggio. BMI did not vary significantly by location. Despite better nutritional status, a large proportion of Kakuma residents still report worries about basic needs, including hunger, health, and economic security. Conclusions: Kakuma Refugee Camp is associated with better host community energetic status indicators, compared to other relevant, regional sites varying in development and resources. Based on global nutritional standards, observed differences likely represent meaningful disparities in overall health. We suggest that access to cereals via refugee trade networks and employment might mediate this relationship. However, perceptions of refugees as illegitimate interlopers maintain a high psychological burden. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

refugee regression analysis human Refugees middle aged Aged Kenya Young Adult Humans psychology male female Aged, 80 and over very elderly skinfold thickness adult body mass nutritional status Body Mass Index
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85040964074&doi=10.1002%2fajhb.23060&partnerID=40&md5=0765c1fd9ca96f7278e3b07810e2989e
DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.23060
ISSN: 10420533
Original Language: English