Contextual influences on chronic illness: A multi-level analysis in the twin cities of Ramallah and Al Bireh in the occupied Palestinian Territory

The features of the urban environment can support human health as well as harm it, but less is known about such influences in the context of middle eastern countries. The association between green space and the political classifications of the urban environment and the risk of chronic illness was investigated in a novel setting, the twin cities of Ramallah and Albireh in the occupied Palestinian territory. We used a generalised multi-level regression analysis to link the 2017 census data with Geographic Information System data. We modelled individuals at level one (n = 54693) and areas of residence at level two (n = 228), adjusting for individual demographic and socio-economic characteristics.The proportions of ‘mixed’ trees in residential areas had a significant inverse association with the risk of chronic illness. On the political dimension, only living in a refugee camp had a significant positive association with chronic illness; however, this was largely explained and rendered non-significant when green space variables were entered into the models. Our ability to differentiate between several types of green space was important, as findings demonstrated that not all types were associated with reduced risk of chronic illness. Our results from a middle eastern setting add to the largely Western existing evidence, that trees in urban settings are important and beneficial to human health. Researchers and policymakers should pay more attention to the health consequences of refugee camps but also the role of trees in benefiting individuals' health in such a disadvantaged context.     

Poliovirus immunity in newly resettled adult refugees in Idaho,United States of America

BackgroundIn the United States, vaccines have eliminated wild poliovirus (WPV) infection, though resettling refugees may lack immunity and importation of WPV remains a concern.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was performed to determine the prevalence of poliovirus immunity in adult refugees resettling in Boise, Idaho, U.S.A.; immunity was evaluated using two definitions: serotypes 1, 2 and 3 positive, or serotypes 1 and 3 positive.ResultsThis survey evaluated 795 adult refugees between August 2010 and November 2012. Poliovirus immunity in adults >18 years was 55.3% for serotypes 1, 2 and 3 combined, and 60% for serotypes 1 and 3 only.ConclusionThis study demonstrated a WPV immunity rate of <60% in a recently resettled adult refugee population in the United States, reinforcing the need to ensure poliovirus immunity in all newly arrived adult refugees, either by expanding pre-departure immunization or by screening for immunity at resettlement and vaccinating when indicated.     

Mineurs non accompagnés accueillis au centre psychiatrique d’orientation et d’accueil de l’hôpital Sainte-Anne,Paris

Since its creation, the Psychiatric Guidance and Reception Centre (CPOA) has received and cared for patients aged 16 to 18. Among them, the rate of Unaccompanied Minor Refugees (UMR) has steadily increased, from 10% in 2016 to 12% in 2018. Meeting UMR patients most often occurs at the peak of their crisis, when their personal resources are overwhelmed and when they experience a severe state of psychological suffering. Our objective was to understand who UMR are concerning the particularities and the similarities they could share at clinical and therapeutic levels with other adolescents. We conducted a retrospective and observational cohort study of the 52 UMR received at the CPOA in 2018 in order to draw a portrait of them, to identify the specificities of their care, their guidance and their access to care, and to compare them with other young non UMR patients. UMR we met at CPOA in 2018 were most often boys aged 16 to 17, with limited resources and in great psychological distress. UMR had more suicidal behaviors (19%) than other minor patients (13%), and our results showed more prolonged consultations for UMR than non UMR at the CPOA (44% versus 41%), indicating that the isolated situation of UMRs complicates their ambulatory support. This study also allowed us to question the existence of emergency care specially dedicated to UMR. Although there are few recommendations to date, it seems important to reintroduce time into their care, in order to recreate a unit, which has sufficient place and time for these young patients whose lives are marked by many breakdowns.     

Longing to belong: Social inclusion and wellbeing among youth with refugee backgrounds in the first three years in Melbourne,Australia

For young people with refugee backgrounds, establishing a sense of belonging to their family and community, and to their country of resettlement is essential for wellbeing. This paper describes the psychosocial factors associated with subjective health and wellbeing outcomes among a cohort of 97 refugee youth (aged 11–19) during their first three years in Melbourne, Australia. The findings reported here are drawn from the Good Starts Study, a longitudinal investigation of settlement and wellbeing among refugee youth conducted between 2004 and 2008. The overall aim of Good Starts was to identify the psychosocial factors that assist youth with refugee backgrounds in making a good start in their new country. A particular focus was on key transitions: from pre-arrival to Australia, from the language school to mainstream school, and from mainstream school to higher education or to the workforce. Good Starts used a mix of both method and theory from anthropology and social epidemiology. Using standardized measures of wellbeing and generalised estimating equations to model the predictors of wellbeing over time, this paper reports that key factors strongly associated with wellbeing outcomes are those that can be described as indicators of belonging – the most important being subjective social status in the broader Australian community, perceived discrimination and bullying. We argue that settlement specific policies and programs can ultimately be effective if embedded within a broader socially inclusive society – one that offers real opportunities for youth with refugee backgrounds to flourish.     

Narrative inquiry into life experiences of refugee women and men

BACKGROUND: Africa is the site of many refugee camps, and non-governmental agencies are often responsible for providing programmes and services to improve refugees' quality of life and health in temporary encampments. Rwanda hosts three refugee camps as a result of the 1994 genocide. AIM: This research examines meaningful life experiences as narrated by women and men Congolese refugees residing in a refugee camp in Rwanda. METHODS: Two in-depth interviews were conducted with 15 refugee men and 14 refugee women. Content in the research text was analysed separately by gender. FINDINGS: Women's experiences revealed themes of leaving the good life behind, worrying about their daughters, feeling ambivalent about marriage and lacking hope. Men's experiences revealed themes of leaving the good life behind, having no peace in the heart and fearing the future. CONCLUSIONS: Listening to refugee voices in narrated life experiences provides an opportunity for non-governmental organizations to create programmes and services that pertain closely to refugees' life experiences.     

The Effectiveness of Psychotherapy with Refugees and Asylum Seekers: Preliminary Results from an Austrian Study

An Austrian Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) offered psychotherapy to 37 asylum seekers and refugees (21 of them female) with a mean age of 36.1 years (s = 7.5), with the majority of them from Chechnya or Afghanistan. Comparative data between the start of therapy and the time of evaluation revealed a highly significant positive effect (d = 0.77), while most therapies were still going on. By a retrospective measure of perceived change, 85% of the participants reported significant improvements. The results show that even under difficult conditions, when working with asylum seekers and refugees, psychotherapy can be effective. Part of this article was translated from an internal annual report for 2006 on the work of ASPIS. In this report also the data published in the present article were used.     

“It is just like having a period with back pain”: exploring women’s experiences with community-based distribution of misoprostol for early abortion on the Thailand–Burma border

Introduction

The lack of economic development and longstanding conflict in Burma have led to mass population displacement. Unintended pregnancy and unsafe abortion are common and contribute to maternal death and disability. In 2011, stakeholders operating along the Thailand-Burma border established a community-based distribution program of misoprostol for early abortion, with the aim of providing safe and free abortion care in this low-resource and legally restricted setting.