Disease burden in a large cohort of asylum seekers and refugees in Germany.
Journal
Journal of global health
ISSN: 2047-2986
Titre abrégé: J Glob Health
Pays: Scotland
ID NLM: 101578780
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
30 Jan 2021
30 Jan 2021
Historique:
entrez:
1
3
2021
pubmed:
2
3
2021
medline:
19
8
2021
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
Currently, health care systems worldwide are challenged with providing care to an increasing number of migrants, refugees, and displaced persons. In this article, we report on disease burden and drug prescription patterns in a large refugee cohort in Germany. We conducted a cross-sectional study of anonymized medical records including demographic data, diagnoses, and drug prescriptions in two refugee reception centres between 2015 and 2019. Refugees and migrants received medical assistance exclusively through the on-site clinics. Thus, this study represents all medical visits of the housed residents. In total, n = 15531 diagnoses from n = 4858 patients in a cohort of n = 10431 accommodated refugees were recorded. N = 11898 medications were prescribed. Overall, 29.8% of all refugees sought medical attention. Half of the patients were female (49.6%), the average age was 23.8 years (SD [standard deviation] 17.0, min 0, max 81), and 41.5% were minors (<18 years). Most patients had Middle Eastern or Northern African origin (63.9%). The largest proportion of diagnoses belonged to the ICD (International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems) category "R" (miscellaneous, 33.5%), followed by diseases of the respiratory system (category "J", 16.5%), or the musculoskeletal system (category "M", 7.1%). Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were most frequently prescribed. This analysis in two large refugee centres in Germany shows that about one third of refugees seek medical attention upon initial arrival. Complaints are manifold, with a high prevalence of respiratory infections.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Currently, health care systems worldwide are challenged with providing care to an increasing number of migrants, refugees, and displaced persons. In this article, we report on disease burden and drug prescription patterns in a large refugee cohort in Germany.
METHODS
METHODS
We conducted a cross-sectional study of anonymized medical records including demographic data, diagnoses, and drug prescriptions in two refugee reception centres between 2015 and 2019. Refugees and migrants received medical assistance exclusively through the on-site clinics. Thus, this study represents all medical visits of the housed residents.
RESULTS
RESULTS
In total, n = 15531 diagnoses from n = 4858 patients in a cohort of n = 10431 accommodated refugees were recorded. N = 11898 medications were prescribed. Overall, 29.8% of all refugees sought medical attention. Half of the patients were female (49.6%), the average age was 23.8 years (SD [standard deviation] 17.0, min 0, max 81), and 41.5% were minors (<18 years). Most patients had Middle Eastern or Northern African origin (63.9%). The largest proportion of diagnoses belonged to the ICD (International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems) category "R" (miscellaneous, 33.5%), followed by diseases of the respiratory system (category "J", 16.5%), or the musculoskeletal system (category "M", 7.1%). Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were most frequently prescribed.
CONCLUSIONS
CONCLUSIONS
This analysis in two large refugee centres in Germany shows that about one third of refugees seek medical attention upon initial arrival. Complaints are manifold, with a high prevalence of respiratory infections.
Identifiants
pubmed: 33643633
doi: 10.7189/jogh.11.04002
pii: jogh-11-04002
pmc: PMC7897448
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
04002Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2021 by the Journal of Global Health. All rights reserved.
Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
Conflict of interest: The authors completed the ICMJE Unified Competing Interest form at (available upon request from the corresponding author), and declare no conflicts of interest.
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