Health needs of accompanied refugee and asylum‐seeking children in a UK specialist clinic

• Published in: Acta Paediatrica 2021-08, Vol.110 (8), p.2396-2404
• Main Authors: Harkensee, Christian, Andrew, Rachel
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anemia; Body weight; Children; chronic conditions; Focus groups; health; Iron deficiency; malnutrition; Mental disorders; Mental health; Nutrient deficiency; Obesity; Overweight; refugee children; Refugees; Trauma; Vitamin A; Vitamin D
• ISSN: 0803-5253; 1651-2227
• DOI: 10.1111/apa.15861

Aim To identify health needs and healthcare access barriers of accompanied refugee and asylum‐seeking (RAS) children in the North East of England, and pilot a new service model to address these. Methods Mixed‐methods study (retrospective analysis of routinely collected service data, qualitative data from focus groups) of children who attended a hospital‐based specialist clinic. Results Over two years, 80 children were referred to this service. Most frequent diagnoses (total n = 104) were anaemia (n = 17), neurodevelopmental (n = 12), respiratory (n = 12) and mental health (n = 9) conditions. Mild–moderate stunting (23%), overweight and obesity (41%), stunting with obesity (9%) and micronutrient deficiencies (vitamin D (66%), vitamin A (40%) and manifest (14%) or latent (25%) iron deficiency anaemia) were highly prevalent. 62% of children had experienced psychological trauma, and 39% had abnormal results in psychosocial wellbeing screening. 21% of children required secondary or tertiary care, 8% mental health referrals, and 47% were followed up in this specialist clinic. Focus groups with families and the community report unaddressed health needs and substantial barriers of access to health care. Conclusion Refugee and asylum‐seeking children have substantial health needs and healthcare access barriers that are not routinely addressed. The authors propose a service model for healthcare provision.