Determinants of Refugee and Migrant Health Status in 10 European Countries: The Mig-HealthCare Project

Elena Riza, Pania Karnaki, Alejandro Gil-Salmerón, Konstantina Zota, Maxwell Ho, Maria Petropoulou, Konstantinos Katsas, Jorge Garcés-Ferrer and Athena Linos
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Elena Riza: Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology & Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
Pania Karnaki: Institute of Preventive Medicine, Environmental and Occupational Health, Prolepsis, 15121 Marousi, Greece
Alejandro Gil-Salmerón: Polibienestar Research Institute, University of Valencia, 46022 Valencia, Spain
Konstantina Zota: Institute of Preventive Medicine, Environmental and Occupational Health, Prolepsis, 15121 Marousi, Greece
Maxwell Ho: Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Harvard College, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
Maria Petropoulou: Evidence Synthesis Methods Team, Department of Primary Education, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
Konstantinos Katsas: Institute of Preventive Medicine, Environmental and Occupational Health, Prolepsis, 15121 Marousi, Greece
Jorge Garcés-Ferrer: Polibienestar Research Institute, University of Valencia, 46022 Valencia, Spain
Athena Linos: Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology & Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 17, 1-13

Abstract: In this study, we collect and synthesize information on the health status of the refugee/migrant population in ten European countries in order to map refugee/migrant health needs. With this information, we identify areas of intervention and healthcare system strengthening to provide the basis for future health planning and effective healthcare provision to migrants, asylum-seekers and refugees in the European Union (EU). Methods: 1407 migrants in ten European Union countries (consortium members of the Mig-HealthCare project) were surveyed on general health, mental health, and specific diseases using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and multivariable linear regression analyses were conducted to investigate the risk factors on general quality of life for migrants and refugees in the EU. Results: Mean age was 31.9 (±11.05) years and 889 (63.1%) participants were males. The majority came from Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, Nigeria, and Iran. Having a mental health disorder or a chronic disease such as a heart or respiratory disease was associated with worse general health. On the other hand, having permission to stay in the country of interview and being interviewed in the country of final destination was associated with better general health. Access to health care services was fragmented or unavailable for some interviewees because of linguistic, cultural, or administrative barriers. Conclusions: The management of chronic diseases and mental health conditions in European migrants and refugees is a key priority for health service provision. Further efforts should be made to guarantee healthcare access for migrant and refugee populations.

Keywords: migrants; refugees; health needs; mental health; chronic diseases (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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