Download This Paper
Preprints with The Lancet is a collaboration between The Lancet Group of journals and SSRN to facilitate the open sharing of preprints for early engagement, community comment, and collaboration. Preprints available here are not Lancet publications or necessarily under review with a Lancet journal. These preprints are early-stage research papers that have not been peer-reviewed. The usual SSRN checks and a Lancet-specific check for appropriateness and transparency have been applied. The findings should not be used for clinical or public health decision-making or presented without highlighting these facts. For more information, please see the FAQs.
The Physical Health Needs of Accompanied Asylum-Seeking and Refugee Children Living in Europe: A Systematic Review
54 Pages Posted: 10 Feb 2025
More...Abstract
Background: In European Union+ countries around 5 in 6 asylum-seeking children arrive accompanied by a responsible adult (AASC). To date, the physical health needs of AASC, have received less consideration than those of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC). This review aims to examine the physical health needs of AASC in European host countries.
Methods: This systematic review with meta-analysis was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42024552294). Web of Science, MEDLINE, Embase and the Public Health database were searched (28 May 2024). Included studies contained empirical physical health condition prevalence data (excluding vaccination coverage), in first-generation AASC, ≤ 18 years, in European host countries, published since 2015. Quality appraisal (using a modified JBI checklist for prevalence studies) and data extraction (from published reports) was conducted by two independent reviewers. Where ≥3 studies reported on the same health outcome random-effects model meta-analysis was conducted. Where heterogeneity was high (I2 >75%), pooled prevalence was reported, but range of reported prevalence was considered more informative.
Findings: 27 studies were included, covering 85191 AASC. Active tuberculosis (7 studies) prevalence ranged from 0.0%-0.8% (95% confidence intervals (CI) ranged from 0%-5%). One study found latent tuberculosis prevalence was significantly lower in AASC (4%, 95% CI 2-9%) than UASC (41%, 95% CI 25-59%), p<0.001). Hepatitis B infection pooled prevalence (4 studies) was 0.00 (95% CI 0.00-0.00, I2 0.01%). Stunting prevalence (3 studies) ranged from 7-21% (95% CI ranged from 4-31%). Visual impairment prevalence (2 studies) ranged between 9-18% (95% CI ranged from 8-22%). Untreated dental caries prevalence (3 studies) ranged from 48-79% (95% CI ranged from 42%-85%).
Interpretation: AASC have a high burden of physical health conditions including nutritional deficiencies, visual impairment, and dental health. The infectious disease burden is less significant. Such data should inform appropriate health service provision for AASC.
Keywords: Physical health, asylum-seeker, refugee, accompanied children, health, screening
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation