Published in:
01-04-2016 | Original Article
Differences in uptake of immunisations and health examinations among refugee children compared to Danish-born children: a cohort study
Authors:
Sanne Pagh Moller, Anders Hjern, Anne-Marie Nybo Andersen, Marie Norredam
Published in:
European Journal of Pediatrics
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Issue 4/2016
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Abstract
Refugee children and their families constitute a vulnerable group regarding health and access to care. In a register-based cohort design, we examined differences in uptake of immunisations and child health examinations between refugee children and Danish-born children, including predictors of uptake among refugee children. Refugee children (n = 16,701) who, between January 1993 and December 2010, obtained residency permits in Denmark were included and matched in a 1:6 ratio on age and sex with Danish-born children (n = 100,206). Personal identification numbers were cross-linked to the National Danish Health Service Register, identifying all contacts for immunisation and child health examinations. We estimated hazard ratios (HR) of uptake. Refugee children had a lower uptake of all immunisations compared to Danish-born children. The lowest uptake was found for immunisation against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio (HR = 0.50; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.48–0.51). Participation in child health examinations was also lower among refugee children with the lowest at the last child health examination at age 5 (HR = 0.48; 95 % CI 0.47–0.50). Adjusting the analysis for parental income increased the HRs by 10–20 %.
Conclusion: This Danish register-based study using nationwide data revealed a lower uptake of routine immunisations and child health examinations among refugee children compared to Danish-born children.
What is Known:
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•Uptake of immunisation and child health examination is associated with low household income, unemployment and low educational status among the parents.
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•Uptake may be even lower among refugee families as they constitute a vulnerable group regarding access to healthcare.
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What is New:
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•Refugee children had lower uptake of immunisations and child health examinations compared to Danish-born children.
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•Several predictors of uptake were identified including region of origin and duration of residence.
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