Recently arrived migrants’ health status in the region of Scania, Sweden

• Background Knowledge of health and health related issues in recently arrived migrants (i.e. refugees) to Sweden is limited, although studies indicate that health status of migrants in general is worse than people born in Sweden and that it deteriorates over time. Regular public health surveys have difficulty reaching new migrants, partly due to language barriers. In order to address health and health related issues a study was initiated in Scania targeting recently arrived migrants. A grant for the study was received by the European refugee fund. Methods Data was collected within the framework of the public system for supporting migrants’ establishment to society and labour market, which ensures coverage. The inclusion criteria were all adult recently arrived migrants to Scania, 18 to 64 years taking part in the public support system between February 13, 2015 and February 12, 2016. Questionnaires in Arabic, Dari, Pashto and Somali were used for data collection. Health issues covered diabetes, asthma, war injuries, dental, mental, and selfreported health among others. Health related issues address health-literacy, smoking, drug use, physical activity, and health system use as well as education and social relations mentioning few. The further aims of the study are to identify evidence for introducing need-specific strategies and to enhance the possibility for evaluating the adequacy of present practices. Results The study reveals necessary knowledge about health and health related needs in this group of new residents of Scania. Results will be available after the summer 2016 also including methodological concerns. Conclusions The study adds knowledge on health and health related needs in recently arrived residents and serves as a complement to the regular public health survey in Scania. It also addresses a number of methodological questions. Key messages: - Unique health and health related knowledge will be revealed in recently arrived immigrants of Scania - The study will reveal evidence for need-specific health strategies and for evaluating the adequacy of present practices

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MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Folkhälsovetenskap, global hälsa, socialmedicin och epidemiologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Public Health, Global Health, Social Medicine and Epidemiology (hsv//eng)

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