International Health
Volume 9, Issue 6, 2017, Pages 335-342

Quantitative survey on health and violence endured by refugees during their journey and in Calais, France (Article) (Open Access)

Bouhenia M.* , Farhat J.B. , Coldiron M.E. , Abdallah S. , Visentin D. , Neuman M. , Berthelot M. , Porten K. , Cohuet S.
  • a Epicentre, 8 rue Saint-Sabin, Paris, France
  • b Epicentre, 8 rue Saint-Sabin, Paris, France
  • c Epicentre, 8 rue Saint-Sabin, Paris, France
  • d Epicentre, 8 rue Saint-Sabin, Paris, France
  • e Médecins Sans Frontières, Operational Center Paris, Paris, France
  • f Médecins Sans Frontières, Centre de Réflexion sur l'Action et les Saviors Humanitaires, Paris, France
  • g Médecins Sans Frontières, Operational Center Paris, Paris, France
  • h Epicentre, 8 rue Saint-Sabin, Paris, France
  • i Epicentre, 8 rue Saint-Sabin, Paris, France

Abstract

Background: In 2015, more than 1 million refugees arrived in Europe. During their travels, refugees often face harsh conditions, violence and torture in transit countries, but there is a lack of quantitative evidence on their experiences. We present the results of a retrospective survey among refugees in the 'Jungle' of Calais, France, to document their health problems and the violence they endured during their journeys. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional population-based survey in November and December 2015. The sample size was set at 402 individuals, and geospatial simple random sampling was used.We collected data on demographics, routes travelled, health status, violence and future plans. Results: Departures from the country of origin increased beginning in September 2015. Sixty-one percent of respondents reported having at least one health problem, especially while in Calais. Overall, 65.6% (95% CI 60.3-70.6) experienced at least one violent event en route; 81.5% of refugees wanted to go to the UK. Conclusions: This first quantitative survey conducted among refugees in Europe provides important sociodemographic data on refugees living in Calais and describes the high rate of violence they encountered during their journeys. Similar documentation should be repeated throughout Europe in order to better respond to the needs of this vulnerable population. © The Author(s) 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. All rights reserved.

Author Keywords

emigrants and immigrants Health status Europe Refugees Exposure to violence violence European Union

Index Keywords

refugee Iraqi demography Europe France mental health human Refugees Sudanese Asia Middle East violence statistics and numerical data controlled study priority journal health status Cross-Sectional Studies Surveys and Questionnaires Young Adult social status cross-sectional study Humans male female Africa questionnaire Article Retrospective Studies major clinical study adult migration health care access Iranian (citizen) United Kingdom health care system exposure to violence quantitative analysis retrospective study Afghan documentation health survey
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85040615175&doi=10.1093%2finthealth%2fihx040&partnerID=40&md5=1f74ac5d64926aa4fb73a116c428181d
DOI: 10.1093/inthealth/ihx040
ISSN: 18763413
Cited by: 2
Original Language: English