TY - JOUR

T1 - The health status of newly arrived asylum-seeking minors in Denmark

T2 - a nationwide register-based study

AU - Eiset, Andreas Halgreen

AU - Loua, Arendse Sander

AU - Kruse, Alexandra

AU - Nørredam, Marie

PY - 2020

Y1 - 2020

N2 - Objectives Asylum-seeking minors are known to be at increased risk of physical and mental diseases compared to both native children and adult asylum seekers. We present a nationwide register-based study based on the health assessment of 7210 newly arrived minors in Danish asylum centres from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2015.Methods We describe socio-demographic characteristics, trauma history and symptoms of physical and mental health. To associate the reporting of traumatic events and signs of anxiety or depression, we performed logistic regression analysis.Results We found a high, albeit varying, prevalence of traumatic experiences, sleeping and eating problems, and head- and toothache. In the subgroup that was assessed for need of urgent support, more than two of every five minor scored above the threshold. In the subgroup examined by a doctor, one of every four had at least one abnormal finding.Conclusions The prevalence of trauma and mental health symptoms and the association of the two were striking. Our findings underline that timely recognition and appropriate treatment of childhood traumas should be given high priority in the receiving communities.

AB - Objectives Asylum-seeking minors are known to be at increased risk of physical and mental diseases compared to both native children and adult asylum seekers. We present a nationwide register-based study based on the health assessment of 7210 newly arrived minors in Danish asylum centres from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2015.Methods We describe socio-demographic characteristics, trauma history and symptoms of physical and mental health. To associate the reporting of traumatic events and signs of anxiety or depression, we performed logistic regression analysis.Results We found a high, albeit varying, prevalence of traumatic experiences, sleeping and eating problems, and head- and toothache. In the subgroup that was assessed for need of urgent support, more than two of every five minor scored above the threshold. In the subgroup examined by a doctor, one of every four had at least one abnormal finding.Conclusions The prevalence of trauma and mental health symptoms and the association of the two were striking. Our findings underline that timely recognition and appropriate treatment of childhood traumas should be given high priority in the receiving communities.

KW - Refugee health

KW - Asylum seeker

KW - Minor

KW - Children

KW - Screening

KW - MENTAL-HEALTH

KW - REFUGEE CHILDREN

KW - ILL HEALTH

KW - EUROPE

KW - COUNTRIES

KW - ANXIETY

KW - SEEKERS

KW - TRAUMA

KW - INTERVENTIONS

KW - MIGRANTS

U2 - 10.1007/s00038-020-01501-4

DO - 10.1007/s00038-020-01501-4

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 33084920

VL - 65

SP - 1763

EP - 1772

JO - International Journal of Public Health (Print Edition)

JF - International Journal of Public Health (Print Edition)

SN - 1661-8556

ER -