Journal Article > ResearchAbstract Only
J Immigr Minor Health. 2021 October 26; Volume 24 (Issue 5); 1281-1287.; DOI:10.1007/s10903-021-01298-1
Cubides JC, Peiter PC, Garone DB, Antierens A
J Immigr Minor Health. 2021 October 26; Volume 24 (Issue 5); 1281-1287.; DOI:10.1007/s10903-021-01298-1
Médecins sans Frontières (MSF) conducted a study to identify health needs and access barriers of Venezuelan migrants and refugees at La Guajira and Norte de Santander Colombian border states. The Migration History tool was used to gather information that included various health-related issues such as referred morbidity, exposure to violence, mental health, and access to health care services. A group migration profile with long-term permanence plans was identified. Was evidenced an important share of young population (50% under 20), indigenous people (20%), and returnees (11%). The respondents referred to a mixed pattern of chronic and acute diseases, for which the main difficulty was accessing diagnosis and continuous treatment. Health-seeking behavior was identified as the main barrier to access health care services. The article compiles main findings on the Venezuelan migrants and refugees' health conditions, contributing important evidence for the humanitarian responses in migration contexts.
Journal Article > ResearchFull Text
J Immigr Minor Health. 2022 October 22; Online ahead of print; DOI:10.1007/s10903-022-01408-7
Carrion-Martin AI, Alrawashdeh A, Karapanagos G, Mahmoud R, Ta’anii N, et al.
J Immigr Minor Health. 2022 October 22; Online ahead of print; DOI:10.1007/s10903-022-01408-7
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are high-prevalence health problems among Syrian refugees. In 2014, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) identified unmet NCD care needs and began providing free-of-charge services for Syrian refugees in Irbid, Jordan. This study aimed to describe current socioeconomic and medical vulnerabilities among MSF Irbid Syrian refugee patients and their households and raise awareness of their ongoing health needs that must be addressed. A cross-sectional survey among Syrian refugees attending MSF NCD services in Irbid Governorate, Jordan was conducted by telephone interviews in January 2021 to query sociodemographic characteristics, economic situation, self-reported NCD prevalence, and Ministry of Health (MoH) policy awareness. Descriptive analysis of indicators included proportions or means presented with 95% confidence intervals. The survey included 350 patient-participants in 350 households and 2157 household members. Mean age was 28.3 years. Only 13.5% of household members had paid or self-employed work; 44% of households had no working members. Mean monthly income was 258.3 JOD (95%CI: 243.5–273.1) per household. Mean expenditures were 320.0 JOD (95%CI: 305.1–334.9). Debt was reported by 93% of households. NCD prevalence among adults was 42% (95%CI: 40–45). Hypertension was most prevalent (31.1%, 95%CI: 28.7–33.7), followed by diabetes (21.8%, 95%CI: 19.7–24.1) and cardiovascular diseases (14.4%, 95%CI: 12.6–16.4). Only 23% of interviewees were aware of subsidized MoH rates for NCD care. Twenty-nine percent stated they will not seek MoH care, mainly due to the unaffordable price. Our findings highlight increased vulnerability among MSF Irbid Syrian refugee NCD patients and their households, including: an older population; a high percentage of unemployment and reliance on cash assistance; higher proportion of households in debt and a high number of households having to resort to extreme coping mechanisms when facing a health emergency; and a higher proportion of people with multiple comorbid NCDs and physical disability. Their awareness of subsidised MoH care was low. MoH care is expected to be unaffordable for many. These people are at increased risk of morbidity and mortality. It is vital that health actors providing care for Syrian refugees take action to reduce their risk, including implementing financial support mechanisms and free healthcare.
Journal Article > Short ReportAbstract Only
J Immigr Minor Health. 2010 December 29; Volume 13 (Issue 5); 970-973.; DOI:10.1007/s10903-010-9433-6
Veerman R, Reid AJ
J Immigr Minor Health. 2010 December 29; Volume 13 (Issue 5); 970-973.; DOI:10.1007/s10903-010-9433-6
The article describes barriers to health care experienced by Burmese migrants in a province of Thailand based on the experience of Medecins Sans Frontieres over the past three years. In addition to the barriers, the article makes suggestions for improving the conditions for the migrant workers.
Journal Article > ResearchFull Text
J Immigr Minor Health. 2017 September 15; Volume 20 (Issue 2); 388-398.; DOI:10.1007/s10903-017-0657-6
Yassin N, Taha AA, Ghantous Z, Atoui MM, Forgione F
J Immigr Minor Health. 2017 September 15; Volume 20 (Issue 2); 388-398.; DOI:10.1007/s10903-017-0657-6
Medecins sans Frontière, an international non-governmental organization, initiated a mental health program for Palestinian refugees living in Lebanon. To evaluate the impact of the program after its completion, focus groups were conducted with three target groups: (1) patients, (2) staff, and (3) local community stakeholders. Participants voiced overall satisfaction with the program. The program provided easy access, good quality care, decreased stigma, as perceived by participants, and revealed a sense of community contentedness. In addition, several short-term outcomes were achieved, such as increasing the numbers of patients visiting the center/ receiving mental health treatment. However, lack of planning for sustainability and proper procedures for hand-over of the program constituted a major downfall. Program discontinuation posed ethical dilemmas, common in provisional interventions in underprivileged refugee communities.