Archives of disease in childhood
Volume 104, Issue 9, 2019, Pages 880-883

Medical needs of adolescent refugees resettling in Western Australia (Article)

Hirani K. , Payne D.N. , Mutch R. , Cherian S.
  • a Department of Adolescent Medicine and Eating Disorders, Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, Perth, WA, Australia, Division of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
  • b Department of Adolescent Medicine and Eating Disorders, Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, Perth, WA, Australia, Division of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
  • c Department of Adolescent Medicine and Eating Disorders, Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, Perth, WA, Australia, Division of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia, Refugee Health Service, Department of General Paediatrics, Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, Perth, WA, Australia
  • d Division of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia, Refugee Health Service, Department of General Paediatrics, Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, Perth, WA, Australia

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the medical needs and socioeconomic determinants of health among adolescent refugees resettling in Western Australia. DESIGN: Comprehensive medical and socioeconomic health data of resettling adolescent refugees aged 12 years and above attending a Refugee Health Service over a 1-year period were analysed. RESULTS: Medical records of 122 adolescents, median (range) age of 14 (12-17) years, were reviewed. Socioeconomic vulnerabilities included dependence on government financial support (50%), housing issues (27%) and child protection service involvement (11%). Medical concerns included non-communicable disorders (85%), infectious diseases (81%), nutrition/growth (71%) and physical symptoms of non-organic origin (43%). One quarter (27%) of female adolescents had sexual/reproductive health issues. A median (range) of 5 (2-12) health concerns were identified for each adolescent with 49% requiring referral to subspecialty services. CONCLUSION: Resettling adolescent refugees are socioeconomically vulnerable with a range of medical issues that frequently require additional subspecialty health referrals. © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2019. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.

Author Keywords

Migration Adolescent health Refugee health Asylum seeker

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85071580388&doi=10.1136%2farchdischild-2018-315105&partnerID=40&md5=172a4c11f362a7f7ed9be210bdfce55a
DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2018-315105
ISSN: 14682044
Original Language: English