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BMJ 2002;325:182 ( 27 July )
 

News roundup

Asylum seekers have low rates of vaccination and screening, report shows

Roger Dobson Abergavenny

A report on the health needs of asylum seekers warns of low rates of vaccination and screening for cervical cancer, poor dental health, high rates of gastrointestinal disorders, and extensive use of drugs for central nervous system disorders.

The report, based on a sample of 397 newly-arrived asylum seekers in Sunderland and North Tyneside from 39 different countries, also found that almost 40% of them had seen a doctor and 8% had received hospital treatment since arriving in the United Kingdom.

"Two hundred and sixteen (55%) reported symptoms about which they felt it necessary to consult a doctor and 69% reported needing to consult a dentist," says the report (Public Health 2002;116:221-6).

On vaccination rates the report says, "An issue of public health concern is the overall low rate of immunisation within the asylum seeker population.

"The overall rates for common communicable diseases, in particular for mumps, measles and rubella, were low. Even for BCG the mean rate of the entire sample was below that required to provide adequate population immunity.

"Vaccination rates for the other common communicable diseases were variable. For example, diphtheria vaccination was recorded as being administered to 177 (45%) subjects, whereas those reporting vaccination to mumps measles and rubella were much lower, none of which showed an overall rate of greater than 16%."

It adds, "The effects of these low immunisation rates may be exacerbated by the policy of housing these communities in close proximity."

The report says that the relatively poor healthcare systems in the countries of origin, the turmoil caused by war or oppression, and the difficulties of travelling and arriving in a foreign environment may all contribute to individual health needs.

On cervical screening the report says, "Screening for cervical cancer and chest X-rays seem to be at a low level. Fewer than one quarter of the adult female asylum seeker population reported having had a cervical smear test."

The report says that almost 40% of the drugs used by asylum seekers were for conditions of the central nervous system, double the national prescribing rate. "The large number of reported CNS-related symptoms and the reports of feeling tense, nervous, worried and the need for help with these items seems liable to increase need for access to primary care and mental health services in the region," it says.

A large proportion of the sample, 44%, also reported the need for dental treatment, ranging from routine check ups to fillings, extractions, and repair of physically damaged teeth.
 
 

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