American Journal of Infection Control
Volume 45, Issue 6, 2017, Pages 673-676

Infection prevention and control and the refugee population: Experiences from the University of Louisville Global Health Center (Article)

Carrico R.M.* , Goss L. , Wiemken T.L. , Bosson R.S. , Peyrani P. , Mattingly W.A. , Pauly A. , Ford R.A. , Kotey S. , Ramirez J.A.
  • a University of Louisville Global Health Program, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, United States
  • b University of Louisville Global Health Program, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, United States
  • c University of Louisville Global Health Program, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, United States
  • d University of Louisville Global Health Program, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, United States
  • e University of Louisville Global Health Program, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, United States
  • f University of Louisville Global Health Program, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, United States
  • g Kentucky Office for Refugees, Catholic Charities of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
  • h University of Louisville Global Health Program, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, United States
  • i University of Louisville Global Health Program, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, United States
  • j University of Louisville Global Health Program, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, United States

Abstract

Background During 2016, approximately 140,000 individuals entered the United States as part of the federal government refugee resettlement program and established themselves in communities in virtually every state. No national database regarding refugee health currently exists; therefore, little is known about existing infectious diseases, conditions, and cultural practices that impact successful acculturation. The objective of this report is to identify what is currently known about refugees and circumstances important to infection prevention and control with respect to their roles as new community members, employees, and consumers of health care. Methods Using data from the University of Louisville Global Health Center's Newly Arriving Refugee Surveillance System, health issues affecting refugees from the perspective of a community member, an employee, and a patient were explored. Results Lack of immunity to vaccine-preventable diseases is the most widespread issue impacting almost every adult, adolescent, and child refugee resettled in Kentucky. Health issues of concern from an infection prevention and control perspective include latent tuberculosis infection, HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, syphilis, and parasites. Other health conditions that may also be important include anemia, obesity, oral health, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Conclusions Refugee resettlement provides motivation for collaborative work among those responsible for infection prevention and control in all settings, their public health partners, and those responsible for and interested in community workforce concerns. © 2017 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc.

Author Keywords

REDCap Refugee-centered medical home Notifiable diseases Domestic health screen

Index Keywords

Vaccines parasitosis refugee Human immunodeficiency virus infection mass screening human community Refugees Kentucky diabetes mellitus obesity chickenpox employee nonhuman procedures consumer Humans anemia cardiovascular disease Adolescent male latent tuberculosis female communicable disease control Syphilis Article health care infection control infection prevention major clinical study adult global health intestine infection preventive medicine chronic hepatitis B Child hepatitis C vaccine
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85017569663&doi=10.1016%2fj.ajic.2017.02.032&partnerID=40&md5=1fa0f40fd4e25093a5e73d0d354c48ee
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2017.02.032
ISSN: 01966553
Cited by: 5
Original Language: English