Association Between Mental Health Screening and Healthcare Utilization Among Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Sweden

A Retrospective Cohort Study

Datos Bibliográficos

ID23312463
AutoresSara Delilovic (0000-0002-8358-1327, Karolinska Institutet, autor de correspondencia), Anna Clara Hollander (Public Health Agency of Sweden), Knut Lönnroth (0000-0001-6944-0256, Center for Global Health), Henna Hasson (0000-0002-3827-6841, Karolinska Institutet)
Año2026
Volumen14
Páginas100432
Fecha de publicación2026-07-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaJournal of Migration and Health (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 2666-6235 • E-ISSN: 2666-6235
EditorialElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.jmh.2026.100432
PMID42597717
OpenAlexW7171815788
IdiomaEN
Referencias citadas42

Background: Asylum seekers and refugees are at increased risk of mental illness. Previous research suggests underutilization and delayed access to care in this the population. This study aims to explore if screening during a health examination is associated with mental health care utilization among refugees and asylum seekers. Methods: A retrospective cohort study examined mental healthcare utilization patterns during the five months following voluntary health examinations among asylum seekers and refugees screened with the Refugee Health Screener (RHS-13). We analyzed data from 7726 individuals across five primary healthcare clinics in the Stockholm Region, Sweden, between 2019 and 2022. Outcomes included utilization of mental healthcare within primary care, with and without a recorded diagnosis, and referrals to other mental health units. Results: Individuals who were screened had a fivefold increase in mental healthcare utilization compared to those who were not screened (odds ratio (OR) 5.09, 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.69-7.04). Both individuals aged 26-39 OR 2.13, (95% CI 1.37-3.31) and 40 year and older OR 2.11, (95% CI 1.34-3.31) were significantly more likely to utilize healthcare compared to the youngest group. Refugees and asylum seekers from the Middle East and North Africa (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.38-0.90) had a lower likelihood of utilizing mental health care compared to those from Asia. Conclusion: Screening was associated with a significant increase in mental healthcare utilization. This underscores that integrating mental health screening into routine health examinations can identify mental illness earlier and create more accessible pathways to mental health services.

Association (psychology) · Asylum seeker · Cohort study · Health care · Immigration · Mental health · Refugee · Retrospective cohort study · Mental Health Treatment and Access · Migration, Health and Trauma · Suicide and Self-Harm Studies