BMC Public Health
Volume 19, Issue 1, 2019

Optimising refugee children's health/wellbeing in preparation for primary and secondary school: A qualitative inquiry (Article) (Open Access)

Baker J.R.* , Raman S. , Kohlhoff J. , George A. , Kaplun C. , Dadich A. , Best C.T. , Arora A. , Zwi K. , Schmied V. , Eapen V.
  • a University of New South Wales, Liverpool Hospital Mental Health Centre Level 1, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia
  • b South Western Sydney Local Health District, Health Services Building Level 3, Cnr Campbell and Goulburn St, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia
  • c School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Hospital Rd, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia, Karitane, 138-150 The Horsley Dr, Carramar, NSW 2163, Australia
  • d Centre for Oral Health Outcomes and Research Translation (COHORT), Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 7103, Liverpool BC, NSW 1871, Australia, South Western Sydney Local Health District, Locked Bag 7103, Liverpool BC, NSW 1871, Australia, University of Sydney, Locked Bag 7103, Liverpool BC, NSW 1871, Australia, Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Locked Bag 7103, Liverpool BC, NSW 1871, Australia
  • e Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia, Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia
  • f School of Business, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, 2751, Australia
  • g Western Sydney University, MARCS Institute, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia
  • h School of Science and Health, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia, Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia, Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia, Oral Health Service, Sydney Local Health District and Sydney Dental Hospital, NSW Health, Surry Hills, NSW 2010, Australia
  • i Sydney Children's Hospital, Corner Avoca and Barker Street, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia
  • j Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia
  • k Academic Unit of Child Psychiatry South West Sydney (AUCS), University of New South Wales and Ingham Institute, Elizabeth Street, Sydney, 2170, Australia, Liverpool Hospital, Elizabeth Street, Sydney, 2170, Australia

Abstract

Background: Children from refugee backgrounds are less likely to access appropriate health and social care than non-refugee children. Our aim was to identify refugee children's health/wellbeing strengths and needs, and the barriers and enablers to accessing services while preparing for primary and secondary school, in a low socio-economic multicultural community in Australia. Method: Ten focus groups were facilitated with Arabic-speaking refugee parents of children aged 2-5 years (n = 11) or in first year secondary school (n = 22); refugee adolescents starting high school (n = 16); and key service providers to refugee families (n = 27). Vignettes about a healthy child and a child with difficulties guided the discussions. Data was thematically analysed and feedback sought from the community via the World Café method. Results: Personal resilience and strong family systems were identified as strengths. Mental health was identified as a complex primary need; and whilst refugees were aware of available services, there were issues in knowing how to access them. Opportunities for play/socialisation were recognised as unmet adolescent needs. Adults spoke of a need to support integration of "old" and "new" cultural values. Parents identified community as facilitating health knowledge transfer for new arrivals; whilst stakeholders saw this as a barrier when systems change. Most parents had not heard of early childhood services, and reported difficulty accessing child healthcare. Preschooler parents identified the family "GP" as the main source of health support; whilst parents of adolescents valued their child's school. Health communication in written (not spoken) English was a significant roadblock. Differences in refugee family and service provider perceptions were also evident. Conclusions: Refugee families face challenges to accessing services, but also have strengths that enable them to optimise their children's wellbeing. Culturally-tailored models of care embedded within GP services and school systems may assist improved healthcare for refugee families. © 2019 The Author(s).

Author Keywords

Preschool Adolescent Refugee Health service qualitative

Index Keywords

cultural value Parents information processing Needs Assessment Cultural Diversity perception refugee Australia high school poverty mental health human wellbeing Refugees Schools statistics and numerical data qualitative research speech childhood Humans psychology Adolescent male case report female preschool child Infant Child, Preschool Child Welfare clinical article medical information school child health Article psychological resilience adult human experiment Health Services Accessibility vignette attitude to health Focus Groups child parent relation health care delivery Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85068935480&doi=10.1186%2fs12889-019-7183-5&partnerID=40&md5=80c5783a322dda003fb8f16fd49efb15
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-019-7183-5
ISSN: 14712458
Cited by: 1
Original Language: English