Epi Result conducts quantitative research on a divers range of topics

Refugees and Asylum seekers

High prevalence of health problems

A population-based study was conducted in the Netherlands from June 2003 to April 2004 among 178 refugees and 232 asylum seekers from Afghanistan, Iran and Somalia to estimate the prevalence rates of health problems (both physical and mental) and use of health care services, and to identify risk factors. A structured-questionnaire was used, that was translated into Dari, Pasthu, Farsi and Somali, back-translated and checked. The questionnaire was culturally validated by interviews with informants from the three countries. Respondents were interviewed by bilingual and bicultural interviewers who were specifically trained for this purpose. Both physical and mental health problems are highly prevalent among refugees and asylum seekers in the Netherlands. Among asylum seekers the prevalence rates are higher for most health outcomes, but in general their utilization of health care services is equal to that of the refugees.
The study was funded by The Netherlands Organization for Health Research and Development.

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