Magzoub Toar|Kirsty K O'Brien|Tom Fahey
Comparison of self-reported health &amp; healthcare utilisation between asylum seekers and refugees: an observational study
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland|Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland|Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
adult refugees asylum seekers living western countries experience high prevalence mental health problems especially post traumatic stress disorder ptsd depression anxiety study compares contrasts prevalence health problems potential risk factors well utilisation health services asylum seekers refugees irish contextcross sectional study using validated self reported health status questionnaires adult asylum seekers n 60 refugees n 28 30 countries living ireland outcome measures included general health status sf36 presence ptsd symptoms anxietydepression symptoms data chronic conditions pre post migration stressors also reported two groups compared utilisation health care system use counter medicationsasylum seekers significantly likely refugees report symptoms ptsd 63 95 ci 22179 depressionanxiety 58 95 ci 22154 significant difference found selfreported general health adjusted multivariable regression presence one chronic disease 40 95ci 13127 34 95 ci 12101 high levels pre migration stressors 36 95 ci 11119 33 95 ci 10104 post migration stressors 173 95 ci 49608 39 95 ci 12123 independent predictors self reported ptsd depressionanxiety symptoms respectively however residence status longer significantly associated ptsd depressionanxiety residence status may act marker explanatory variables results show strong relationship post migration stressors chi2 1974 df 1 p 0001in terms health care utilisation asylum seekers use gp services often refugees significant difference found groups use dentists medication hospitalisation mental health servicesasylum seekers higher level self reported ptsd depressionanxiety symptoms compared refugees however residence status appears act marker post migration stressors compared refugees asylum seekers utilise gp services often mental health services