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Health screening among children newly granted asylum in Denmark
Author(s) -
Frederiksen Nicoline Willum,
Christoffersen Nanna Marie,
Haugaard Anna Karen,
Ahmadi Afsaneh,
Poulsen Anja,
Norredam Marie,
Kruse Alexandra
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
acta paediatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/apa.15879
Subject(s) - medicine , referral , refugee , pediatrics , family medicine , cross sectional study , immigration , archaeology , pathology , history
Aim To describe the findings and recommendations of the general health assessment (GHA) of newly resettled refugee children in Denmark. Methods This cross‐sectional study included children (aged <18 years) undergoing GHA from 2017 to 2019 at a university hospital Section of Immigrant Medicine. GHA was offered to all refugees newly resettled in the Municipality of Copenhagen. It comprised of a structured questionnaire, clinical examination, blood test and recommendations. Results In the study period, 107 children were eligible, 100 children had a GHA performed and of whom all were included in the study. Trauma was reported in 61% ( n = 61/100) of children. The median duration of the asylum‐seeking process was 18 months (IQR: 8‐24), and the highest number of relocations was nine. Latent tuberculosis ( n = 2/100 [2%]) was the only infectious disease diagnosed. Specific recommendations for follow‐up were frequent and included referral to specialist departments ( n = 26/100 [26%]), suggestions for family doctor ( n = 96/100 [96%]) and for municipality ( n = 62/100 [62%]). Conclusion Self‐reported trauma was frequent among 100 newly resettled refugee children. For most children, the asylum process was protracted and included several relocations. Specific follow‐up recommendations were given to the vast majority. GHA may contribute to improving health, which could possibly support integration for the child and family.