The University of Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America.
Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health, Houston, Texas, United States of America.
PLoS One. 2024 Jun 4;19(6):e0303907. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0303907. eCollection 2024.
The number of refugees globally grew to 35.3 million in 2022, and many refugees are exposed to various health risks along their migration journey. As a result, they may arrive in host communities with numerous health issues, including communicable diseases and chronic and mental health conditions. Navigating the healthcare system in a host country proves to be a significant challenge for them, leading to delayed care. This qualitative study explored the convolute healthcare needs of refugees in the United States by soliciting insights from stakeholders involved in refugee resettlement and healthcare. In-depth interviews were conducted with fifteen stakeholders who work closely with refugees, including healthcare providers, cultural/clinical health navigators supporting refugees, staff from refugee resettlement agencies and governmental entities, and researchers studying refugee health. Following informed consent, interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and imported into MAXQDA 2022 (VERBI Software) for thematic analysis. The results revealed key themes, including the heterogeneity of refugee populations, limited awareness of preventive healthcare, high prevalence and suboptimal management of chronic conditions, complexity of the healthcare system, lack of follow-up, and language barriers. Further research is warranted concerning the long-term health of refugee populations in the United States. Additionally, more tailored programs involving peer educators are recommended to support refugee communities in navigating the complex healthcare system in the host country.
2022 年，全球难民人数增至 3530 万，许多难民在迁移过程中面临各种健康风险。因此，他们可能会带着许多健康问题抵达收容社区，包括传染病以及慢性和精神健康问题。对他们来说，在东道国的医疗体系中进行导航是一个巨大的挑战，导致护理延迟。本定性研究通过从参与难民重新安置和医疗保健的利益相关者那里征求意见，探讨了美国难民复杂的医疗保健需求。对 15 名与难民密切合作的利益相关者进行了深入访谈，包括医疗保健提供者、支持难民的文化/临床健康导航员、难民重新安置机构和政府实体的工作人员以及研究难民健康的研究人员。在获得知情同意后，对访谈进行了录音、逐字记录，并输入 MAXQDA 2022（VERBI 软件）进行主题分析。结果揭示了关键主题，包括难民人口的异质性、对预防保健的认识有限、慢性疾病的高患病率和管理不善、医疗保健系统的复杂性、缺乏后续行动以及语言障碍。需要进一步研究美国难民群体的长期健康状况。此外，建议开展更多涉及同伴教育者的定制计划，以支持难民社区在东道国的复杂医疗体系中进行导航。
