Undocumented migrants have diverse health problems
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Undocumented migrants have diverse health problems. / Ehmsen, Boje Kvorning; Biswas, Dan; Jensen, Natasja Koitszch; Krasnik, Allan; Nørredam, Marie Louise.
In: Danish Medical Journal, Vol. 61, No. 9, A4897, 09.2014, p. 1-4.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Undocumented migrants have diverse health problems
AU - Ehmsen, Boje Kvorning
AU - Biswas, Dan
AU - Jensen, Natasja Koitszch
AU - Krasnik, Allan
AU - Nørredam, Marie Louise
PY - 2014/9
Y1 - 2014/9
N2 - INTRODUCTION: In 2008, 1.9-3.8 million undocumented migrants lived in Europe. We aimed to strengthen the evidence base on undocumented migrants' health problems by describing characteristics of undocumented migrant patients in a Danish non-governmental organisation (NGO) health clinic.MATERIAL AND METHODS: All patient files from the period from 24 August 2011 to 28 January 2013 were included in the study. Patient contacts were systematically analysed for age, sex, country of origin, medical referrals, symptoms and diagnoses. Contacts were classified by patient complaints or symptoms based on the International Classification of Primary Care, 2nd Edition (ICPC-2).RESULTS: A total of 830 patients (39.75% women and 60.25% men) visited the clinic, which led to a total of 2,088 visits and 1,384 ICPC-2 classifications. The patients seen had 94 different nationalities. The most common reasons for medical contact correspond well with the pattern seen in general practice and several chronic and severe cases were observed in the NGO clinic. Furthermore, a larger share of pregnant women presented (11.6%) compared with a Danish general practice (5.1%), and these were seen first in a late gestational age on average (16+ weeks).CONCLUSION: Undocumented migrants presented with diverse health problems. Some patients presented with critical disease, and an alarming number of pregnant women did not seek medical care until a late stage, and they did not return for infant care after giving birth.FUNDING: The study was funded by the Institute of Public Health, University of Copenhagen.TRIAL REGISTRATION: not relevant.
AB - INTRODUCTION: In 2008, 1.9-3.8 million undocumented migrants lived in Europe. We aimed to strengthen the evidence base on undocumented migrants' health problems by describing characteristics of undocumented migrant patients in a Danish non-governmental organisation (NGO) health clinic.MATERIAL AND METHODS: All patient files from the period from 24 August 2011 to 28 January 2013 were included in the study. Patient contacts were systematically analysed for age, sex, country of origin, medical referrals, symptoms and diagnoses. Contacts were classified by patient complaints or symptoms based on the International Classification of Primary Care, 2nd Edition (ICPC-2).RESULTS: A total of 830 patients (39.75% women and 60.25% men) visited the clinic, which led to a total of 2,088 visits and 1,384 ICPC-2 classifications. The patients seen had 94 different nationalities. The most common reasons for medical contact correspond well with the pattern seen in general practice and several chronic and severe cases were observed in the NGO clinic. Furthermore, a larger share of pregnant women presented (11.6%) compared with a Danish general practice (5.1%), and these were seen first in a late gestational age on average (16+ weeks).CONCLUSION: Undocumented migrants presented with diverse health problems. Some patients presented with critical disease, and an alarming number of pregnant women did not seek medical care until a late stage, and they did not return for infant care after giving birth.FUNDING: The study was funded by the Institute of Public Health, University of Copenhagen.TRIAL REGISTRATION: not relevant.
KW - Adolescent
KW - Adult
KW - Aged
KW - Aged, 80 and over
KW - Child
KW - Child, Preschool
KW - Denmark
KW - Dental Health Services
KW - Female
KW - Health Status
KW - Humans
KW - Infant
KW - Infant, Newborn
KW - Male
KW - Middle Aged
KW - Minority Health
KW - Needs Assessment
KW - Organizations
KW - Patient Acceptance of Health Care
KW - Pregnancy
KW - Prenatal Care
KW - Primary Health Care
KW - Transients and Migrants
KW - Young Adult
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 25186539
VL - 61
SP - 1
EP - 4
JO - Danish Medical Journal
JF - Danish Medical Journal
SN - 2245-1919
IS - 9
M1 - A4897
ER -
ID: 138816788