Since 1975 approximately 900,000 Indochinese refugees have immigrated to the US. In conducting a retrospective review of the medical records of Indochinese refugees between the ages of 11 and 21 years, this paper investigates the prevalence of health problems in adolescent Indochinese refugees studied, 85% had at least 1 medical disorder. At least 1 chronic condition associated with signifiant morbidity or functional impairment in daily life was found in 23%. 1 of the most prevalent health problems found in these adolescents was the lack of appropriate immunizations for age in 24%, despite their having been in the US for many months. There was a 15% prevalence of mental health disorders, including psychosomatic illnesses and alcohol abuse. The following suggestions should be considered when assessing the psychological status of the adolescent Indochinese refugees: 1) interpreters should be of the same gender as the patient; 2) an age-appropriate developmental assessment should be conducted; 3) delay the exploration of personal and sexual issues until the 2nd visit; 4) solicitation of the youth's experiences in leaving the home country will help the clinician and patient become better acquainted; 5) a drug history should be obtained; and 6) the clinician should develop a sense of how the adoescent's adjustment to life in the US has been.

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Youth Americas Adolescents refugee population Migrants demography social change developing country Population Dynamics mental health Developing Countries Refugees Asia health service Developed Countries health United States North America sociology Adolescent Southeast Asia Acculturation juvenile Indonesia Western Hemisphere cultural factor health services Article migration age developed country Age Factors population and population related phenomena Demographic Factors Southeastern Asia Emigration and Immigration Transients and Migrants Delivery of Health Care Northern America Population Characteristics Asia, Southeastern health care delivery