Nederlands Tijdschrift voor Geneeskunde
Volume 150, Issue 36, 2006, Pages 1983-1989

Mental and physical health problems of and the use of healthcare by Afghan, Iranian and Somali asylum seekers and refugees [Psychische en lichamelijke gezondheidsproblemen van en gebruik van zorg door Afghaanse, Iraanse en Somalische asielzoekers en vluchtelingen] (Article)

Gerritsen A.A.M.* , Devillé W. , Van Der Linden F.A.H. , Bramsen I. , Van Willigen L.H.M. , Hovens J.E.J.M. , Van Der Ploeg H.M.
  • a VU Medisch Centrum, Afd. Medische Psychologie, V. der Boechorststraat 7, kamer D342, 1081 BT Amsterdam, Netherlands, Instituut Voor Extramuraal Geneeskundig Onderzoek, Netherlands, EMGO, Netherlands
  • b VU Medisch Centrum, Afd. Medische Psychologie, V. der Boechorststraat 7, kamer D342, 1081 BT Amsterdam, Netherlands, Nederlands Instituut Voor Onderzoek Van de Gezondheidszorg (NIVEL), Utrecht, Netherlands
  • c VU Medisch Centrum, Afd. Medische Psychologie, V. der Boechorststraat 7, kamer D342, 1081 BT Amsterdam, Netherlands, EMGO, Netherlands
  • d VU Medisch Centrum, Afd. Medische Psychologie, V. der Boechorststraat 7, kamer D342, 1081 BT Amsterdam, Netherlands, EMGO, Netherlands
  • e VU Medisch Centrum, Afd. Medische Psychologie, V. der Boechorststraat 7, kamer D342, 1081 BT Amsterdam, Netherlands, Consultancy Gezondheidszorg Vluchtelingen en Mensenrechten, Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • f VU Medisch Centrum, Afd. Medische Psychologie, V. der Boechorststraat 7, kamer D342, 1081 BT Amsterdam, Netherlands, DeltaBouman Psychiatrisch Ziekenhuis, Portugal
  • g VU Medisch Centrum, Afd. Medische Psychologie, V. der Boechorststraat 7, kamer D342, 1081 BT Amsterdam, Netherlands, EMGO, Netherlands

Abstract

Objective. To estimate the prevalence rates of mental and physical health problems and the use of healthcare services among adult asylum seekers and recognised refugees from Afghanistan, Iran and Somalia in the Netherlands. Design. Cross-sectional study. Method. Asylum seekers were approached in 14 reception centres and refugees were interviewed in 3 municipalities (Arnhem, Leiden and Zaanstad). Respondents were interviewed in their own language and asked questions pertaining to: general health, chronic complaints, symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), symptoms of depression/anxiety, the use of healthcare services (general practitioner, medical specialists, hospitalisation, mental-health services, medication) and background variables. Results. A total of 232 asylum seekers and 178 refugees participated (response rates of 89% and 59%, respectively). Of these, 142 (61%) and 99 (56%), respectively were males and the average age was 34.4 (SD: 11.0) and 40.3 (SD: 13.3) years, respectively. Compared to refugees, asylum seekers more often considered their health to be poor (42% and 59%, respectively), had more symptoms of depression/anxiety (39% and 68%, respectively), and had more symptoms of PTSD (11% and 28%, respectively). No differences were found between refugees and asylum seekers in the self-reported use of healthcare services. Conclusion. This study showed that asylum seekers have more health problems than refugees, but that there are no differences in the self-reported use of healthcare services. More research is needed to answer the question if asylum seekers have sufficient access to the healthcare system.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

anxiety Netherlands Afghanistan depression hospitalization refugee mental health service clinical feature mental health human Refugees Self Report health service controlled study health status general practitioner Health Surveys Mental Health Services chronic disease Iran physical disease Mental Disorders Cross-Sectional Studies mental disease interview Humans male female health services prevalence Article health care utilization major clinical study adult posttraumatic stress disorder Somalia medical specialist Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-33749244276&partnerID=40&md5=2888092c1aef394944bdfd57ff30ea97
ISSN: 00282162
Cited by: 2
Original Language: Dutch