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Health changes of refugees from Afghanistan, Iran and Somalia: role of residence status and experienced living difficulties in the resettlement process.
Lamkaddem, M., Essink-Bot, M., Gerritsen, A.A.M., Devillé, W., Stronks, K. Health changes of refugees from Afghanistan, Iran and Somalia: role of residence status and experienced living difficulties in the resettlement process. European Journal of Public Health: 2013, 23(Suppl. 1), p. 59-60. Abstract. 6th European Public Health Conference: Health in Europe: are we there yet? Learning from the past, building the future. 13-16 November 2013, Brussel.
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Introduction: Refugees and asylum seekers are an important group of new immigrants in today’s Europe. Despite recent research efforts information on changes in health upon resettlement is scarce. We analyzed the mechanisms underlying changes in mental and physical health after arrival in The Netherlands in a longitudinal study among resettled refugees from Afghanistan, Iran and Somalia. Methods: We examined the mechanisms underlying health changes by comparing cohorts of ‘new’ and longstanding refugees (n = 172) at two time-points (2003-2011). Mental health (PTSD, anxiety/depression) and general health (number of chronic conditions, self-reported general health) were assessed by questionnaire in face-to-face interviews. Multivariate analyses were used to assess the role of living difficulties (employment, social/family support, housing, cultural issues, social position), obtaining a residence permit, and use of mental health services, in health changes. Results: Generally, mental and general health of ‘new’ refugees
improved after obtaining a permit, while the health of refugees who already had a permit remained unchanged. Mediation analyses showed that positive changes in work and social support were key to the improvements in health of new refugees upon getting a permit. Timely use of mental health care was significantly associated with a decrease of symptoms of PTSD (OR: 7.58, 95% CI: 1.01-56.86), next to improvements in living difficulties. Conclusion: The physical and social environment upon arrival are of key importance for the health developments of newly arrived refugees. Likewise, the timely use of mental health care appears to be essential for the course of PTSD symptoms in refugees.
improved after obtaining a permit, while the health of refugees who already had a permit remained unchanged. Mediation analyses showed that positive changes in work and social support were key to the improvements in health of new refugees upon getting a permit. Timely use of mental health care was significantly associated with a decrease of symptoms of PTSD (OR: 7.58, 95% CI: 1.01-56.86), next to improvements in living difficulties. Conclusion: The physical and social environment upon arrival are of key importance for the health developments of newly arrived refugees. Likewise, the timely use of mental health care appears to be essential for the course of PTSD symptoms in refugees.
Introduction: Refugees and asylum seekers are an important group of new immigrants in today’s Europe. Despite recent research efforts information on changes in health upon resettlement is scarce. We analyzed the mechanisms underlying changes in mental and physical health after arrival in The Netherlands in a longitudinal study among resettled refugees from Afghanistan, Iran and Somalia. Methods: We examined the mechanisms underlying health changes by comparing cohorts of ‘new’ and longstanding refugees (n = 172) at two time-points (2003-2011). Mental health (PTSD, anxiety/depression) and general health (number of chronic conditions, self-reported general health) were assessed by questionnaire in face-to-face interviews. Multivariate analyses were used to assess the role of living difficulties (employment, social/family support, housing, cultural issues, social position), obtaining a residence permit, and use of mental health services, in health changes. Results: Generally, mental and general health of ‘new’ refugees
improved after obtaining a permit, while the health of refugees who already had a permit remained unchanged. Mediation analyses showed that positive changes in work and social support were key to the improvements in health of new refugees upon getting a permit. Timely use of mental health care was significantly associated with a decrease of symptoms of PTSD (OR: 7.58, 95% CI: 1.01-56.86), next to improvements in living difficulties. Conclusion: The physical and social environment upon arrival are of key importance for the health developments of newly arrived refugees. Likewise, the timely use of mental health care appears to be essential for the course of PTSD symptoms in refugees.
improved after obtaining a permit, while the health of refugees who already had a permit remained unchanged. Mediation analyses showed that positive changes in work and social support were key to the improvements in health of new refugees upon getting a permit. Timely use of mental health care was significantly associated with a decrease of symptoms of PTSD (OR: 7.58, 95% CI: 1.01-56.86), next to improvements in living difficulties. Conclusion: The physical and social environment upon arrival are of key importance for the health developments of newly arrived refugees. Likewise, the timely use of mental health care appears to be essential for the course of PTSD symptoms in refugees.