Disease burden in a large cohort of asylum seekers and refugees in Germany

Bibliographic Data

ID19550293
AuthorsFrank Müller (0000-0001-8955-5317, University of Göttingen), Evelyn Kleinert (0000-0002-8951-9874, University of Göttingen), Nele Hillermann (University of Göttingen), Anne Simmenroth (0000-0002-3521-1225, University of Göttingen), Eva Hummers (0000-0003-2707-6067, University of Göttingen), Anna Zychlinsky Scharff (0000-0003-3210-7163, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover), Christian Dopfer (0000-0002-8932-513X, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover), Christine Happle (0000-0003-0096-3272, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover), Alexandra Dopfer‐Jablonka (0000-0001-7129-100X, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover), Alexandra Jablonka
Year2021
Volume11
Pages04002-04002
Publication date2021-01-16
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Global Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2047-2978 • E-ISSN: 2047-2986
PublisherInternational Global Health Society (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.7189/jogh.11.04002
PMID33643633
OpenAlexW3126554824
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited44

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: 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: 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: 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

Cohort · Cohort study · Family medicine · Geography · Medical diagnosis · Medical prescription · Refugee · Education and experiences of immigrants and refugees · Medicine · Migration, Health and Trauma · Travel-related health issues · Internal Medicine · Pediatrics

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access