Pregnant women’s concern toward Covid-19 in Iraqi camps

Differences between IDPs and refugees. A cross-sectional study

Datos Bibliográficos

ID6429973
AutoresLuma H H Alhanabadi (autor de correspondencia), Stefania Moramarco (0000-0001-6192-8775), Faiq B Basa, Leonardo Pacchiarotti, Leonardo Emberti Gialloreti (0000-0002-3575-1192)
Año2025
Volumen21
Número1
Páginas161-175
Fecha de publicación2025-01-23
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaInternational Journal of Migration Health and Social Care (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 2042-8650 • E-ISSN: 1747-9894
EditorialEmerald Publishing Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1108/ijmhsc-02-2024-0023
OpenAlexW4406767029
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas1
Referencias citadas32

Purpose During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was growing concern about the health status of vulnerable groups living in camps. This study aims to investigate differences in the perception and concerns of pregnant women about the pandemic between two populations, i.e. internally displaced people (IDPs) and refugees. In fact, although the two categories are often conflated, the analysis of their respective profiles requires more careful attention. Particularly in Iraqi Kurdistan, these groups of migrants have specific characteristics that this study aims to highlight. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 4,736 pregnant women living in camps in Iraqi Kurdistan. Participants were asked questions about the pandemic and self-perceived disadvantages of COVID-19. Findings IDP women were more concerned about COVID-19 infection [odds ratio (OR) = 2.59; CI: 2.29–2.92] and more afraid to visit health centers (OR = 3.79; CI: 3.36–4.28), with a reduction of health visits (OR = 0.76; CI: 0.68–0.86). The main self-perceived disadvantages were psychological pressure and concerns about changes in the services available in the camps. On the contrary, refugee women reported the lockdown as one of the most negative effects, together with their economic situation and unemployment. Originality/value Studies investigating the health status of vulnerable groups living in camps are generally underrepresented in global research. This study shows that the needs of IDPs and refugees are different, specific and contextual, even when the two groups appear to have similar backgrounds. Tailored interventions, according to the type of migrants hosted in camps, are needed, especially during a pandemic. Community volunteers can play a paramount role in supporting the continuity of health care for these vulnerable populations

2019-20 coronavirus outbreak · Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19 · Cross-sectional study · Disease · Environmental health · Infectious disease (medical specialty · Pandemic · Pathology · Political science · Refugee · Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2 · COVID-19 Impact on Reproduction · Food Security and Health in Diverse Populations · Medicine · Migration, Health and Trauma · Virology