scholarly journals Correction: Aljadeeah, S., et al. Barriers to Accessing Medicines among Syrian Asylum Seekers and Refugees in a German Federal State. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 519

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 2464
Author(s):  
Saleh Aljadeeah ◽  
Veronika J. Wirtz ◽  
Eckhard Nagel
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Asylum Seekers ◽  
Federal State ◽  
German Federal State ◽  
Asylum Seekers And Refugees

In the original article [...]

scholarly journals Einwanderung in Zeiten von Corona

2021 ◽  
Vol 77 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 657-688
Author(s):  
Daniel Sharp
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Asylum Seekers ◽  
International Mobility ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Open Borders ◽  
Entry Restrictions ◽  
Asylum Seekers And Refugees

After the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, most states enacted new measures to constrain international mobility. By May 8th, 2020, more than 93% of the world’s population lived in states with special entry bans and more than three billion lived in countries whose borders were almost completely closed to non-citizens. Can such measures be justified? If so, would this undermine the open borders view? This paper examines these questions. It argues, first, that, although short-term entry bans and other similar measures designed to protect public health can be justified, these bans need to be designed with a number of exemptions, in particular, for asylum seekers and refugees. Even in times of pandemic, completely closed borders are indefensible. It argues, second, that although extreme versions of the open borders position may have difficulty accepting this conclusion, other versions of the position can consistently justify special entry restrictions.

scholarly journals Cost-effectiveness of targeted screening for active pulmonary tuberculosis among asylum-seekers: A modelling study with screening data from a German federal state (2002-2015)

PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. e0241852
Author(s):  
Katharina Wahedi ◽  
Louise Biddle ◽  
Kayvan Bozorgmehr
Keyword(s):  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Pulmonary Tuberculosis ◽  
Incremental Cost ◽  
Asylum Seekers ◽  
Country Of Origin ◽  
Federal State ◽  
Active Pulmonary Tuberculosis ◽  
Screening Measure ◽  
Targeted Screening ◽  
German Federal State

Screening asylum-seekers for active pulmonary tuberculosis is common practice among many European countries with low incidence of tuberculosis. The reported yields vary substantially, partly due to the heterogeneous and dynamic nature of asylum-seeking populations. Rather than screening all new arrivals (indiscriminate screening), a few countries apply targeted screening based on incidence of tuberculosis in asylum-seekers’ country of origin. However, evaluations of its cost-effectiveness have been scarce. The aim of this modelling study was to assess whether the introduction of a screening threshold based on the tuberculosis incidence in the country of origin is sensible from an economic perspective. To this end, we compare the current, indiscriminate screening policy for pulmonary tuberculosis in Germany with a hypothetical targeted screening programme using several potential screening thresholds based on WHO-reported incidence of tuberculosis in countries of origin. Screening data is taken from a large German federal state over 14 years (2002–2015). Incremental cost-effectiveness is measured as cost per case found and cost per case prevented. Our analysis shows that incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) of screening asylum-seekers from countries with an incidence of 50 to 250/100,000 range between 15,000€ and 17,000€ per additional case found when compared to lower thresholds. The ICER for screening asylum-seekers from countries with an incidence <50/100,000 is 112,000€ per additional case found. Costs per case prevented show a similar increase in costs. The high cost per case found and per case prevented at the <50/100,000 threshold scenario suggests this threshold to be a sensible cut-off for targeted screening. Acknowledging that no screening measure can find all cases of tuberculosis, and that reactivation of latent infections makes up a large proportion of foreign-born cases, targeting asylum-seekers from countries with an incidence above 50/100,000 is likely to be a more reasonable screening measure for the prevention and control of tuberculosis than indiscriminate screening measures.

scholarly journals Barriers to Accessing Medicines among Syrian Asylum Seekers and Refugees in a German Federal State

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 519
Author(s):  
Saleh Aljadeeah ◽  
Veronika J. Wirtz ◽  
Eckhard Nagel
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
Asylum Seekers ◽  
Language Barriers ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Access To Medicines ◽  
Federal State ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Pork Products ◽  
Asylum Seekers And Refugees

In Germany, asylum seekers and refugees (AS&Rs) face challenges when accessing healthcare services including medicines. The aim of this study was to explore the barriers to accessing medicines among Syrian AS&Rs in the state of North Rheine-Westphalia, and to provide an understanding of their perspectives towards taking medicines that contain alcohol or pork products. This study is based on a cross-sectional survey using a combination of sampling methods. We used descriptive statistics to analyze quantitative data. Participants’ answers to an open-ended question yielded qualitative data that were categorized based on the thematic areas they discussed or addressed. Among the 1641 respondents, language barriers had more of an effect on the access to medicines than any other factor studied. The effect of language barriers on access to medicines was more pronounced for female participants, those who were older than 50 years, and participants who had chronic diseases in comparison to the other groups of participants. Male participants and those younger than 50 years of age showed more acceptance towards taking medicines that contain alcohol or pork products. Based on our results, we recommend providing more support for AS&Rs to learn the German language, particularly for female refugees, older refugees, and those with chronic diseases or disabilities. We also recommend providing translated medical leaflets for patients who wish to receive them in their native language. Healthcare providers should try to consider the special conditions of AS&Rs patients and take into account their perspectives about treatments and diseases.

scholarly journals Mental ill-health and suicidal behaviour in asylum seekers and refugees during the COVID-19 pandemic

Suicidologi ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellenor Mittendorfer-Rutz ◽  
Ridwanul Amin ◽  
Thomas Niederkrotenthaler ◽  
Emma Björkenstam ◽  
Magnus Helgesson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Suicidal Behaviour ◽  
Asylum Seekers ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
Morbidity And Mortality ◽  
Health Challenge ◽  
Key Points ◽  
Public Health Challenge ◽  
Asylum Seekers And Refugees ◽  
Scientific Reporting

WITHOUT DOUBT, THE COVID-19 PANDEMICis the greatest Public Health challenge of ourtime. Naturally, incidence rates of COVID-19-related morbidity and mortality as well asdiscussions on the most suitable strategies tolower them, have dominated media and scientific reporting. Increasingly, though, attentionhas also been given to the possible mentalhealth consequences of the pandemic. Here,asylum seekers and refugees are a particularrisk group as levels of mental ill-health havebeen already high before the COVID-19 outbreak. Specifically, there are several reasonsto expect suicide rates in asylum seekers/refugees to increase in the wake of the pandemic.Here we raise key points of concern andsuggest priorities for research and preventioninitiatives.

scholarly journals Cross-sectional survey to describe medicine use among Syrian asylum seekers and refugees in a German federal state: looking beyond infectious diseases

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. e053044
Author(s):  
Saleh Aljadeeah ◽  
Veronika J Wirtz ◽  
Eckhard Nagel
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Asylum Seekers ◽  
Federal State ◽  
Medicine Use ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Surrounding Areas ◽  
Low Prevalence ◽  
Asylum Seekers And Refugees

ObjectivesThe aim of our study was to describe medicine use and document self-reported diseases or conditions for which medicines were used among Syrian asylum seekers and refugees (AS&Rs) in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW). We examined in this study differences in the use of medicines among different age and sex groups of the study participants.SettingFifteen different refugee shared accommodation centres in the greater Cologne area, a community centre with a language school and consultation office, and other places frequented by the Syrian community.ParticipantsSyrian AS&Rs registered in NRW and residing in the city of Cologne or surrounding areas.Primary outcome measuresThe prevalence of using at least one medicine in the 7 days preceding data collection, and the use of prescribed medicines and self-medication.ResultsOf the 1641 Syrian AS&Rs who took part in our study, the overall 7-day prevalence of medicine use was 34.9%. Among adults, headache and hypertension were the most common indications that led to medicine use. By dose, hypertension (954 doses) and diabetes (595 doses) were the first and second most frequent indication. Among children, fever and cough were the most common indication; ibuprofen and hederae helicis folium preparations were the most used medicines. Low prevalence was found of medicine use for the treatment of either infectious diseases or mental disorders.ConclusionAmong the Syrian AS&Rs in NRW who participated in the study, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) were common presumed causes of use of medication among adults. We encourage future studies to pay more attention to NCDs medicine use among AS&Rs. Researchers should also consider reaching AS&Rs who live in private housing and not limit studies only to newly arrived AS&Rs who live in shared accommodation centres.

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