E Kakalou1, E Riza1,2, M Chalikias1,3, N Voudouri4, A Vetsika1, C Tsiamis1,5, S Choursoglou4, A Terzidis1, E Karamagioli1, T Antypas4, E Pikoulis1. 1. Programme of Postgraduate Education, International Medicine-Health Crisis Management, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Mikras Asias 75, Athens, Greece. 2. Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Mikras Asias 75, Athens, Greece. 3. Piraeus University of Applied Science, Thebon & Petrou Ralli 250, Aigaleo, Greece. 4. PRAKSIS, Stournari 57, Athens, Greece. 5. Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Mikras Asias 75, Athens, Greece.
Abstract
Background: In 2015-2016, more than a million refugees entered Greece. Along with other organizations, PRAKSIS, a local non-governmental organization, deployed mobile medical units on three islands and in temporary settlements in Athens. Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study aimed at analysing the demographic and clinical characteristics of the population (n=6688) that received services from PRAKSIS between October 2015 and June 2016 in different locations (islands of Samos, Kos and Leros in the southeastern Aegean Sea and on the mainland at Athens-Piraeus Port Gate E) before and after the closure of European borders in March 2016. Results: The majority (88%) of the population came from Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq. Among them, 53% were women and children. Infectious diseases decreased as the population moved from the islands to the Athens-Piraeus Port, while all other disease categories increased in relative frequency, the difference being statistically significant (p<0.05). Among all consultations, dental and oral cavity health complaints also increased in the Athens-Piraeus Port, but failed to reach statistical significance (p=0.11). Referrals from the mobile health units to specialist care rose from 4.2% of all patients clinically examined on the islands to 9.9% in the Athens-Piraeus Port, and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusions: More research and systematic data collection are needed to inform appropriate policies for the humanitarian challenges posed by the recent refugee and migrant waves in Europe.
Background: In 2015-2016, more than a million refugees entered Greece. Along with other organizations, PRAKSIS, a local non-governmental organization, deployed mobile medical units on three islands and in temporary settlements in Athens. Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study aimed at analysing the demographic and clinical characteristics of the population (n=6688) that received services from PRAKSIS between October 2015 and June 2016 in different locations (islands of Samos, Kos and Leros in the southeastern Aegean Sea and on the mainland at Athens-Piraeus Port Gate E) before and after the closure of European borders in March 2016. Results: The majority (88%) of the population came from Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq. Among them, 53% were women and children. Infectious diseases decreased as the population moved from the islands to the Athens-Piraeus Port, while all other disease categories increased in relative frequency, the difference being statistically significant (p<0.05). Among all consultations, dental and oral cavity health complaints also increased in the Athens-Piraeus Port, but failed to reach statistical significance (p=0.11). Referrals from the mobile health units to specialist care rose from 4.2% of all patients clinically examined on the islands to 9.9% in the Athens-Piraeus Port, and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusions: More research and systematic data collection are needed to inform appropriate policies for the humanitarian challenges posed by the recent refugee and migrant waves in Europe.
Authors: Ourania S Kotsiou; Panagiotis Kotsios; David S Srivastava; Vaios Kotsios; Konstantinos I Gourgoulianis; Aristomenis K Exadaktylos Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2018-08-20 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Luiz Paulo de Lima Junior; Kayte Chaves Oliveira de Lima; Maria Rita Bertolozzi; Francisco Oscar de Siqueira França Journal: Rev Saude Publica Date: 2022-04-01 Impact factor: 2.106