BMJ Open
Volume 9, Issue 4, 2019

Asylum seekers health and wellbeing (TERTTU) survey: Study protocol for a prospective total population health examination survey on the health and service needs of newly arrived asylum seekers in Finland (Article) (Open Access)

Skogberg N.* , Koponen P. , Tiittala P. , Mustonen K.-L. , Lilja E. , Snellman O. , Castaneda A.
  • a Department of Welfare, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
  • b Public Health Solutions, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
  • c Department of Health Security, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
  • d Department of Welfare, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
  • e Department of Welfare, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
  • f Finnish Immigration Service, Helsinki, Finland
  • g Department of Welfare, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland

Abstract

Introduction Health, well-being and health service needs of asylum seekers have emerged as urgent topics following the arrival of 2.5 million asylum seekers to the European Union (EU) between 2015 and 2016. However, representative information on the health, well-being and service needs of asylum seekers is scarce. The Asylum Seekers Health and Wellbeing (TERTTU) Survey aims to: (1) gather population-based representative information; (2) identify key indicators for systematic monitoring; (3) produce the evidence base for development of systematic screening of asylum seekers' health, well-being and health service needs. Methods and analysis TERTTU Survey is a population-based prospective study with a total population sample of newly arrived asylum seekers to Finland, including adults and children. Baseline data collection is carried out in reception centres in 2018 and consists of a face-To-face interview, self-Administered questionnaire and a health examination following a standardised protocol. Altogether 1000 asylum seekers will be included into the study. Baseline data will be followed up with national electronic health record data encompassing the entire asylum process and later with national register data among persons who receive residency permits. Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval has been granted by the Coordinating Ethics Committee of the Helsinki and Uusimaa Hospital District. Participation is voluntary and based on written informed consent. Results will be widely disseminated on a national and international level to inform health and welfare policy as well as development of services for asylum seekers. Results of the study will constitute the evidence base for development and implementation of the initial health assessment for asylum seekers on a national level. © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2019. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.

Author Keywords

protocols and guidelines organization of health services asylum seeker and refugee health health policy Epidemiology

Index Keywords

prospective study Finland population health health care policy medical examination professional standard human wellbeing controlled study interview informed consent asylum seeker male female welfare questionnaire European Union electronic health record Article adult human experiment practice guideline Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85064391688&doi=10.1136%2fbmjopen-2018-027917&partnerID=40&md5=43a9a1d5c075b675240e65ff292ac3d2
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-027917
ISSN: 20446055
Original Language: English