Implementation of national recommendations for the care of Ukrainian refugee children in Switzerland
A survey of primary care pediatricians
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22076769 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Fabienne N Jaeger (0000-0002-8441-3907, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, corresponding author), Sarah Depallen (0000-0002-7074-1985, University Hospital of Lausanne), Sarah Depallens (pädiatrie schweiz, Swiss Society of Paediatrics), Marc Sidler (Historischer Verein des Kantons Schwyz), Noemie Wagner (Swiss Paediatric Oncology Group), Nicole Ritz (0000-0002-1498-1685, University of Lucerne) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 13 |
| Pages | 1666753-1666753 |
| Publication date | 2026-01-20 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Frontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565 |
| Publisher | Frontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1666753 |
| PMID | 41641051 |
| OpenAlex | W7124841474 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 22 |
Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the implementation of specific recommendations for providers caring for pediatric Ukrainian refugees new to Switzerland, including the care provided and the challenges faced. Methods: Pediatricians were invited via newsletters to participate in an online questionnaire. Results: A total of 111 primary care pediatricians (PCPs) were eligible for participation. Of these, 91% reported providing care for Ukrainian refugees. The vast majority (88.6%) were aware of the mentioned recommendations. The reported care included treating acute conditions (94.8%), ensuring vaccination coverage (89.7%), and performing new-arrival check-ups regardless of age (60.8%). The psychosocial situation of the child (67.0%) and the mental wellbeing of both the child and main caregiver (47.4%) were assessed, and preventive information (29.9%) was provided to a lesser extent. Tuberculosis risks were discussed or screened for by 73.2% of the participants, HIV by 58.3%, and Hepatitis C by 57.3%. The main challenges faced included lack of time (77.9%), language barriers (81.1%), organizing mental health care (65.5.%), different health(care) perceptions (65.6%), demanding attitudes (68.4%), and refusals of check-ups (30.8%) and vaccines (38.6%). Conclusion: Despite high levels of awareness of the recommendations, their implementation varied. Preventive care and mental health support require improvement. Care-enabling policies have been identified and are warranted
Health care · Mental health · Mental health care · Primary care · Primary health care · Refugee · Ukrainian · Education and experiences of immigrants and refugees · Interpreting and Communication in Healthcare · Migration, Health and Trauma
| Highly cited | No |
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