This cross-sectional study describes the health problems and the health care of asylum seekers and refugees from the point of view of accident & emergency (A & E) physicians at the major hospital in St. Gallen, Switzerland. The physicians filled in a detailed questionnaire and documented all consultations of asylum seekers/refugees and of a control group of patients during eleven weeks (2 x 98 ...

BACKGROUND Schistosomiasis and strongyloidiasis cause substantial morbidity and mortality among hundreds of millions of infected persons worldwide. In the United States, these infections are most commonly found among international travelers, immigrants, and refugees from areas of endemicity. Refugees resettled to the United States since 2000 include >3800 "Lost Boys and Girls" of Sudan and 8000...

Screening of 488 Syrian unaccompanied minor refugees (< 18 years-old) in Berlin showed low prevalence of intestinal parasites (Giardia, 7%), positive schistosomiasis serology (1.4%) and absence of hepatitis B. Among 44 ill adult Syrian refugees examined at GeoSentinel clinics worldwide, cutaneous leishmaniasis affected one in three patients; other noteworthy infections were active tuberculosis ...

This study aimed to investigate changes in the notification rate of malaria in refugees over a period of national policy change on pre-departure screening. Notifying clinicians were interviewed to complete a standardised enhanced surveillance form. A decline in refugee malaria notifications occurred after implementation of a national policy to offer pre-departure malaria screening and treatment...

BACKGROUND The flight of Syrian and Palestinian families into Lebanon from Syria included a number of older refugees. This study sought to characterize the physical and emotional conditions, dietary habits, coping practices, and living conditions of this elderly population arriving in Lebanon between March 2011 and March 2013. METHODS A systematic selection of 210 older refugees from Syria wa...

Background. Eosinophilia is a major health issue concerning immigrant populations from parasite endemic regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and Asia. The presence of eosinophilia is most commonly due to parasite infections in this group. This study was undertaken to assess the prevalence of eosinophilia and the prevalence of parasitic infections in refugees being resettled in Da...

AIM The purpose of this study was to investigate continuity of care in the psychiatric healthcare system from the perspective of patients, including vulnerable groups such as immigrants and refugees. METHOD The study is based on 19 narrative interviews conducted with 15 patients with diverse migration backgrounds (immigrants, descendents, refugees, and ethnic Danes). Patients were recruited f...

BACKGROUND Over the past decade, there has been growing interest within ethnobiology in the knowledge and practices of migrating people. Within this, scholars have given relatively less attention to displaced people and refugees: to the loss, maintenance, and adaptation of refugees' ethnobiological knowledge, and to its significance for refugees' wellbeing. This study focuses on cosmetics and r...

Immigrants and refugees who enter Rhode Island (RI) bring acute needs for medical, social and legal services. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) formally processes refugees and immigrants. This process includes a medical evaluation (Health Screenings) and assistance with housing, legal status, and employment. Often the medical field is a point of entry into a set of social, health, and l...

BACKGROUND Almost two-thirds of refugees, internally displaced persons, returnees and other persons affected by humanitarian emergencies live in malaria endemic regions. Malaria remains a significant threat to the health of these populations. METHODS Data on malaria incidence and mortality were analyzed from January 2006 to December 2009 from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees ...