Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Louka, Christina
• Chandler, Elizabeth
• Ranchor, Adelita V
• Broer, Hans
• Pournaras, Spyros
• Ravensbergen, Sofanne J
• Stienstra, Ymkje
• Borrow, Ray

Titel

Asylum seekers' perspectives on vaccination and screening policies after their arrival in Greece and The Netherlands

Ist Teil von

• PloS one, 2019-12, Vol.14 (12), p.e0226948-e0226948

Ort / Verlag

United States: Public Library of Science

Erscheinungsjahr

2019

Quelle

Free E-Journal (出版社公開部分のみ）

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• Europe has been dealing with an increasing number of refugees during the past 5 years. The timing of screening and vaccination of refugees is debated by many professionals, however refugees' perspectives on health issues are infrequently taken into account. In this study, we aimed to investigate asylum seekers' perspectives on infectious diseases screening and vaccination policies. Interviews were conducted in Greece and the Netherlands. Asylum seekers and recently arrived refugees were approached and informed with the help of interpreters; consent forms were acquired. The survey focused on demographic data, vaccination status, screening policies and prevention of infectious diseases. A total of 61 (43 male, 70.5%) refugees (30 Afghanis, 16 Syrian, 7 Erithrean) were interviewed. Mean age was 35.2 years (SD 13.5) and 50% had received primary or secondary education, while 24.6% received none. Median time after arrival in Greece and the Netherlands was 24 months (IQR 8.5-28). 44 out of 61 (72.1) participants were willing to be vaccinated after arrival in Europe, 26 preferred vaccination and screening to be performed at the point of entry. The need for screening and vaccination was perceived higher amongst participants in Greece (100% vs 43.3%) due to living conditions leading to increased risk of outbreaks. Participants were willing to communicate their perspectives and concerns. Screening and vaccination programs could be more effective when implemented shortly after arrival and by involving asylum seekers and refugees when developing screening and vaccination interventions.