Ugeskrift for Laeger
Volume 144, Issue 33, 1982, Pages 2435-2439

Boat refugees from Vietnam. Experience and results of health examinations after arrival in Denmark (Article)

Kjersem H. , Black F. , Bygbjerg I. , Skinhoj P.
  • a Epidemiafd. M, Rigshosp., 2100 Kobenhavn, Denmark
  • b Epidemiafd. M, Rigshosp., 2100 Kobenhavn, Denmark
  • c Epidemiafd. M, Rigshosp., 2100 Kobenhavn, Denmark
  • d Epidemiafd. M, Rigshosp., 2100 Kobenhavn, Denmark

Abstract

A total of 657 boat refugees from Vietnam who came to Denmark during a three-month period in autumn 1979 were submitted to health examination immediately on arrival. The commonest conditions were intestinal parasitosis (63%), skin infections (27%) and infections in the upper respiratory tract (14%). Approximately 11% were HB(s)Ag carriers, less than 10% had pathogenic intestinal bacteria, 1% excreted Poliovirus and 1% had open pulmonary tuberculosis. Malaria was found in 4%. But tropical diseases were rare. 36% had eosinophilia which was usually due to intestinal parasites and approximately 3% had positive serological reactions for syphilis. The smooth running of this programme of investigation demanded considerable planning and administration. When the investigation and therapeutic programme was complete, the boat refugees did not appear to constitute any epidemiological threat for the Danish population.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

Vietnam refugee human epidemiology Refugees Denmark health service health status morbidity ethnology Adolescent male preschool child Viet Nam female Child, Preschool health services Article adult migration ethnic or racial aspects Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0020332729&partnerID=40&md5=8880272357156dd92348fd7956f0008c
ISSN: 00415782
Cited by: 7
Original Language: Danish