Discrimination and health: A cross-sectional study comparing Muslims with other-religious.

AIMS: The aim of this study is to report perceived discrimination among Muslims living in Norway and to address and compare associations between perceived discrimination and health among Muslims with an immigrant background and other-religious with an immigrant background. METHOD: A representative sample of individuals with an immigrant background in Norway was used in a cross-sectional study design that included 5484 respondents aged 16 to 74 years. The respondents were sub-grouped after religious affiliation, and as immigrants and Norwegian-born. This sample is from 'The Survey on living conditions among persons with an immigrant background 2016', conducted by Statistics Norway. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to investigate the relationship between perceived discrimination and self-rated health and between perceived discrimination and mental health problems. RESULTS: Our findings show that Muslims with an immigrant background are more likely to report perceived discrimination than non-Muslims with an immigrant background. Perceived discrimination was associated with poor self-rated health and mental health problems among immigrant Muslims and Norwegian-born Muslims. Among other-religious with an immigrant background, perceived discrimination had an inverse relationship with mental health problems among immigrants, while an association between perceived discrimination and poor self-rated health was found among Norwegian-born. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that perceived discrimination does play a role in health among minorities with an immigrant background in Norway, regardless of religion. However, the association between perceived discrimination and poor health seems to be stronger among Muslims, especially Norwegian-born Muslims.

Dietary guidance from GPs - what do patients report? / Kostholdsveiledning hos fastlegen ­ hva rapporterer pasientene?

Background: Diet can have a major impact on health. In this study, we surveyed the extent to which the subject of diet was raised by patients in general practice and which patients desired such discussions. Material and method: We conducted a questionnaire-based cross-sectional study of patients ≥ 18 years of age at GP practices in Western Norway in 2022. The questionnaire consisted of nine questions about dietary knowledge, the desire to receive dietary guidance and lose weight, and medication use. Logistic regression was used to identify groups more likely to report a desire to receive guidance on how diet affects health. Results: A total of 2105 of the 2531 (83 %) invited patients ≥ 18 years of age completed the questionnaire, and 2075 of these were included in the analysis. One in three had raised the subject of diet with their GP. A total of 96 % reported having the knowledge they needed about diet, 56 % wanted advice or guidance on how diet affects health, 62 % wanted to lose weight and 40 % reported being confused by diet/dietary advice. Younger patients, men, patients with lower levels of education, patients who wanted to lose weight and patients taking medication for chronic conditions more frequently wanted advice/guidance on how diet affects health. Interpretation: Over half of the patients in the GP practices wanted advice/guidance on how diet affects health. Knowing who is more likely to want guidance can be useful for prioritising which consultations are appropriate for providing guidance on diet and health impacts.

Perceived discrimination and its association with self-rated health, chronic pain, mental health, and utilization of health services among Syrian refugees in Norway: a cross-sectional study.

Background: There is a scarcity of research on discriminatory experiences and their association with health outcomes among Syrian Refugees in Norway. Thus, this study aims to examine the relationship between perceived discrimination, self-rated health (SRH), chronic pain, poor mental health, and healthcare utilization among Syrian refugees resettled in Norway. Methods: Cross-sectional data from the Integration for Health project were analyzed, including 154 Syrian refugees who resettled in Norway in 2018-19. Perceived discrimination, SRH, chronic pain, psychological distress, post-traumatic stress symptoms, and healthcare visits were assessed. Statistical analyses, including Poisson regression and multinomial logistic regression, were conducted. The significant statistical level was set at 0.05. Results: Approximately 30% of participants reported experiencing discrimination, with no significant associations between sociodemographic factors and perceived discrimination. Perceived discrimination was significantly associated with psychological distress (adjusted PR: 2.07, 95%CI: 1.21-3.55), post-traumatic stress symptoms (adjusted PR: 11.54, 95%CI: 1.25-106.16), and 4 or more psychologist visits (adjusted OR: 12.60, 95%CI: 1.72-92.16). However, no significant associations were found between perceived discrimination and SRH; pain symptoms, or general healthcare utilization. Conclusion: Experienced discrimination is highly prevalent and seems to be associated with mental health outcomes, but not clearly with SRH, pain, or general healthcare visits among Syrian refugees living in Norway. Efforts should focus on reducing discrimination, promoting social inclusion, and improving access to mental health services for refugees. Public awareness campaigns, anti-discrimination policies, and cultural training for healthcare professionals are recommended to address these issues and improve the well-being of Syrian refugees in Norway.

Primary care indicators for disease burden, monitoring and surveillance of COVID-19 in 31 European countries: Eurodata Study.

BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the majority of patients received ambulatory treatment, highlighting the importance of primary health care (PHC). However, there is limited knowledge regarding PHC workload in Europe during this period. The utilization of COVID-19 PHC indicators could facilitate the efficient monitoring and coordination of the pandemic response. The objective of this study is to describe PHC indicators for disease surveillance and monitoring of COVID-19's impact in Europe. METHODS: Descriptive, cross-sectional study employing data obtained through a semi-structured ad hoc questionnaire, which was collectively agreed upon by all participants. The study encompasses PHC settings in 31 European countries from March 2020 to August 2021. Key-informants from each country answered the questionnaire. Main outcome: the identification of any indicator used to describe PHC COVID-19 activity. RESULTS: Out of the 31 countries surveyed, data on PHC information were obtained from 14. The principal indicators were: total number of cases within PHC (Belarus, Cyprus, Italy, Romania and Spain), number of follow-up cases (Croatia, Cyprus, Finland, Spain and Turkey), GP's COVID-19 tests referrals (Poland), proportion of COVID-19 cases among respiratory illnesses consultations (Norway and France), sick leaves issued by GPs (Romania and Spain) and examination and complementary tests (Cyprus). All COVID-19 cases were attended in PHC in Belarus and Italy. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic exposes a crucial deficiency in preparedness for infectious diseases in European health systems highlighting the inconsistent recording of indicators within PHC organizations. PHC standardized indicators and public data accessibility are urgently needed, conforming the foundation for an effective European-level health services response framework against future pandemics.

Norwegian "dugnad" as a rhetorical device in public health communication during the COVID-19 pandemic. A qualitative study from immigrant's perspectives.

BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Norwegian government appealed to the term "national dugnad" in the communication of containment measures as a call for collective action to fight the spread of infection. "Dugnad" is traditionally associated with solidarity, social responsibility, and a communal spirit in the form of volunteer work carried out by a local community. Although the word "dugnad" is difficult to translate to other languages, it was used as a rhetorical device by the government to communicate health-related information during the pandemic. This study aims to explore how immigrants understood and related to the term "dugnad" as used in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in Norway. METHODS: We conducted 55 semi-structured interviews in 2020 with immigrants from Poland (10), Syria (15), Somalia (10), Sri Lanka (10), and Chile (10). Interviews were conducted in participants' mother-tongues. We used systematic text condensation following Malterud's four steps to analyze the data. RESULTS: The results are organized into three themes corresponding to: (1) meaning making of the term "dugnad"; (2) attitudes towards the term "dugnad"; and (3) reactions to the use of "dugnad" in a public health context. Overall, participants were familiar with the term "dugnad" and positively associated it with volunteering, unity, and a sense of community. However, we found a variety of reactions towards using this term in a public health context, ranging from agreement to disagreement and irritation. CONCLUSION: Health communication during pandemics is crucial for maximizing compliance and gaining control of disease spread. In multicultural societies, governments and authorities should be aware of the linguistic and cultural barriers to public health communication if they are to effectively reach the entire population. The use of culturally specific concepts in this context, specially as rhetorical devices, may hinder effective health communication and increase health inequalities.

Trends in cervical cancer screening in Norway 2012-2017: a comparison study of non-immigrant and immigrant women.

AIMS: Immigrant women in Norway have lower cervical cancer screening participation than non-immigrant women. Our aim in this study was to assess whether the observed increase in screening participation during 2012-2017 was different between Norwegian-born women and immigrant women. METHODS: Data were collected from three national registries. The study included 1,409,561 women, categorized according to country of birth and immigrant background: (i) Norway, Norwegian parents; (ii) Norway, immigrant parent(s); (iii) Europe, excluding Norway; (iv) Africa; (v) Asia, including Turkey; and (vi) other countries. Trends and differences between groups were analyzed using Poisson regression analyses with adjustments for variables other studies have found to influence screening participation. Trends were assessed by including half-years as a continuous variable in the models and reported as prevalence ratios with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Screening participation increased in all groups, but was not statistically significant among women from Africa in the adjusted model. The highest increase was among Norwegian women, with a 2.2% increase per year. Interaction tests showed significantly smaller increases in screening among women born in Europe (p interaction < 0.0001), Africa (p interaction < 0.0001), Asia (p interaction < 0.0001), and countries in the "Other" category (p interaction = 0.004). There was also a smaller increase among Norwegian-born women with one or more immigrant parent(s), but this was not significant (p interaction = 0.178). CONCLUSIONS: The gap in screening participation and the increasing differences in trends suggest that healthcare services do not reach all women in Norway to the same extent. One should attempt to improve this while working toward further increasing screening participation for all.

Efectos de un programa de ejercicio físico con enfoque sanológico en universitarios / Effects of a physical exercise program with a sanological approach in university students / Efeitos de um programa de exercícios físicos com abordagem saudável em estudantes universitários

Objetivo: identificar el efecto del programa de ejercicio físico del proyecto institucionalUSCO saludable con enfoque sanológico en 40 jóvenes universitarios con sobrepeso. Metodología: se plantea un estudio mixto el cual utiliza metodología cuantitativa y cualitativa. En específico, se desarrolló un estudio cuasiexperimental de un solo grupo con valoración antes y después, los datos se tomaron de la revisión de historias clínicosanológicas del programa de ejercicio físico, de la dimensión actividad física. Del proyecto USCO Saludable, se seleccionaron 40 estudiantes con un índice de masa muscular (IMC) entre los rangos de 25 a 30 kg/m2. Se utilizó un instrumento denominado historia clínico-sanológica, esta fue diseñada, ajustada y estandarizada por los investigadores Pedro Reyes Gaspar y Dolly Arias Torres. Los datos se trabajaron a través de entrevista semiestructurada, mediante la creación de códigos y categorías con el programa ATLAS. ti 6.0. Para la comparación del IMC se empleó la prueba de Wilcoxon y el tamaño del efecto por medio de la g de Hedges en el programa SPSS versión 24. Resultados: después de la intervención, en el grupo de estudiantes universitarios con sobrepeso se observaron cambios importantes en la comprensión del concepto de salud, salud actual y del ejercicio físico como herramienta de cuidado de la salud y la vejez. Además, se identificó un cambio significativo en el IMC de la población. Conclusiones: la estrategia de ejercicio físico desde un enfoque sanológico es factible y eficaz, debido a los cambios significativos en el pensamiento y comportamiento en la salud de estudiantes universitarios con sobrepeso.

Objective: to identify the effect of the physical exercise program, of the healthy USCO institutional project with a sanological approach, on 40 overweight university students. Methodolgy: a mixed study is proposed using quantitative and qualitative methodology. Specifically, a quasiexperimental study of a single group was developed with evaluation before and after, the data was taken from the review of clinical-sanological histories of the physical exercise program, of the physical activity dimension, of the Healthy USCO project, 40 students with BMI (body mass index) between the ranges of 25 to 30 kg/ m2 were selected. An instrument called clinical-sanological history was used, it was designed, adjusted, and standardized by researchers Pedro Reyes Gaspar and Dolly Arias Torres. The data was processed through a semi-structured interview through the creation of codes, and categories with the ATLAS.ti 6.0 software, for the comparison of the BMI the Wilcoxon test was used and the effect size through Hedges' G in the SPSS program version 24. Results: after the intervention, important changes were observed in the understanding of the concept of health, current health, and physical exercise as a tool for health care and old age in a group of overweight university students. Furthermore, a significant change in the BMI of the population was identified. Conclusions: the strategy of physical exercise from a sanological approach is feasible and effective due to the significant changes in the thinking and behavior in the health of overweight university students.

Objetivo: identificar o efeito do programa de exercícios físicos do projeto institucional USCO saudável com enfoque saudável em 40 universitários com excesso de peso. Metodologia: propõe-se um estudo misto que utiliza metodologia quantitativa e qualitativa. Especificamente, foi desenvolvido um estudo quase-experimental de grupo único com avaliação antes e depois, os dados foram retirados da revisão dos registros clínico-saúde do programa de exercício físico, da dimensão atividade física. Do projeto USCO Healthy, foram selecionados 40 alunos com índice de massa muscular (IMC) entre 25 e 30 kg/m2. Foi utilizado um instrumento denominado histórico clínico-saúde, desenhado, ajustado e padronizado pelos pesquisadores Pedro Reyes Gaspar e Dolly Arias Torres. Os dados foram trabalhados por meio de entrevista semiestruturada, mediante criação de códigos e categorias com o programa ATLAS.ti 6.0. Para a comparação do IMC foi utilizado o teste de Wilcoxon e o tamanho do efeito por meio do g de Hedges no programa SPSS versão 24. Resultados: após a intervenção, no grupo de universitários com excesso de peso, foram observadas mudanças importantes na compreensão do conceito de saúde, saúde atual e exercício físico como ferramenta de cuidado à saúde e à velhice. Além disso, foi identificada uma alteração significativa no IMC da população. Conclusões: a estratégia de exercício físico sob uma abordagem de saúde é viável e eficaz, devido às mudanças significativas no pensamento e no comportamento de saúde de estudantes universitários com excesso de peso

Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease: Treatment Guidelines and Recommendations for Referral and Multidisciplinary Continuity of Care.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) constitutes a major public health problem, and it is anticipated that its prevalence will continue to increase in the future. Its progressive nature requires a continuous and well-coordinated care approach. The follow-up for COPD should primarily focus on disease screening and control, which includes monitoring of pulmonary function, prevention of exacerbations, identification of aggravating factors and comorbidities, as well as ensuring treatment adequacy and adherence. However, existing clinical practice guidelines and consensus documents offer limited recommendations for the follow-up. In this context, we undertake a review of COPD treatment and the continuity of care recommendations endorsed by several scientific societies. Moreover, we underscore the importance of the involvement of nursing and community pharmacy in this process, as well as the utilization of quality indicators in the provision of care for the disease.

Mental Health of Immigrant Children and Adolescents (6-17 Years) in Canada: Evidence from the Canadian Health Measures Survey.

BACKGROUND: Studies indicate a higher prevalence of mental health problems among immigrants, but findings on immigrant children and adolescents are mixed. We sought to understand the magnitude of differences in mental health indicators between immigrant and non-immigrant children and adolescents in Canada and the influence of age, sex, household income, and household education. METHODS: We completed a secondary analysis of data from the Canadian Health Measures Survey, using a pooled estimate method to combine data from four survey cycles. A weighted logistic regression was used to estimate the unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: We found an association between the mental health of immigrant versus non-immigrant children and adolescents (6-17 years) as it relates to emotional problems and hyperactivity. Immigrant children and adolescents had better outcomes with respect to emotional problems and hyperactivity/inattention compared to non-immigrant children and adolescents. Lower household socioeconomic status was associated with poorer mental health in children and adolescents. CONCLUSION: No significant differences in overall mental health status were evident between immigrant and non-immigrant children and adolescents in Canada but differences exist in emotional problems and hyperactivity. Sex has an influence on immigrant child mental health that varies depending on the specific mental health indicator.

suPAR and WT1 modify the adhesion of podocytes and are related to proteinuria in class IV lupus nephritis.

Introduction: Lupus nephritis (LN) affects up to 60 % of the patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and renal damage progression is associated with proteinuria, caused in part by the integrity of the glomerular basement membrane (GBM) and by podocyte injury. The soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) and Wilms Tumor 1 (WT1) have been related to podocyte effacement and consequently with proteinuria which raises questions about its pathogenic role in LN. Objective: Define whether suPAR levels and WT1 expression influence in podocyte anchorage destabilization in LN class IV. Materials and methods: This is a cross-sectional study of cases and controls. We studied patients with SLE without renal involvement (n = 12), SLE and LN class IV with proteinuria ≤0.5 g/24 h (n = 12), LN class IV with proteinuria ≥0.5 g/24 h (n = 12) and compared them with renal tissue control (CR) (n = 12) and control sera (CS) (n = 12). The CR was integrated by cadaveric samples without SLE or renal involvement and the CS was integrated by healthy participants. The expression and cellular localization of WT1, urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR), ac-α-tubulin, vimentin, and ß3-integrin was assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The concentration of suPAR in serum was analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: In patients with LN, the activation of anchoring proteins was increased, such as podocyte ß3-integrin, as well as the acetylation of alpha-acetyl-tubulin and uPAR, in contrast to the decrease in vimentin; interestingly, the cellular localization of WT1 was cytoplasmic and the number of podocytes per glomerulus decreased. The concentrations of suPAR was increased in patients with LN. Conclusion: The destabilization of podocyte anchorage modulated by ß3-integrin activation, and tubulin acetylation, associated with decreased WT1 cytoplasmic expression, and increased suPAR levels could be involved in kidney damage in patients with LN class IV.

Occupation-related factors affecting the health of migrants working during the COVID-19 pandemic - a qualitative study in Norway.

BACKGROUND: The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic were more pronounced among migrants than in the majority population and went beyond those directly caused by the virus. Evidence suggests that this overburden is due to complex interactions between individual and structural factors. Some groups of working migrants were in vulnerable positions, overrepresented in essential jobs, under precarious work conditions, and ineligible for social benefits or special COVID-19 economic assistance. This study aimed to explore the experience of migrants working in Norway during the COVID-19 pandemic to gather an in-depth understanding of the pandemic´s impact on their health and well-being, focusing on occupation-related factors. METHODS: In-depth personal interviews with 20 working migrants from different job sectors in Bergen and Oslo were conducted. Recruitment was performed using a purposive sampling method. Thematic analysis was used. RESULTS: At the workplace level, factors such as pressure to be vaccinated, increased in occupational hazards, and increased structural discrimination negatively impacted migrants' health. Other factors at the host country context, such as changes in social networks in and out of the workplace and changes in the labour market, also had a negative effect. However, the good Norwegian welfare system positively impacted migrants' well-being, as they felt financially protected by the system. Increased structural discrimination was the only factor clearly identified as migrant-specific by the participants, but according to them, other factors, such as changes in social networks in and out of the workplace and social benefits in Norway, seemed to have a differential impact on migrants. CONCLUSIONS: Occupational-related factors affected the health and well-being of working migrants during the pandemic. The pressure to get vaccinated and increased structural discrimination in the workplace need to be addressed by Norwegian authorities as it could have legal implications. Further research using intersectional approaches will help identify which factors, besides discrimination, had a differential impact on migrants. This knowledge is crucial to designing policies towards zero discrimination at workplaces and opening dialogue arenas for acknowledging diversity at work.

Agreement between Five Experts and the Laguna ONhE Automatic Colourimetric Application Interpreting the Glaucomatous Aspect of the Optic Nerve.

BACKGROUND: Optic nerve head (ONH) interpretation is a glaucoma screening method which may be influenced by criteria variability. Laguna ONhE software is a low-cost and non-invasive method of ONH analysis. METHODS: We analysed the results of the Laguna ONhE application, interpreting 552 ONH images from the ACRIMA database, publicly available on the Internet, and compared them with the opinion of five experts. Diagnostic agreement was investigated using Cohen's kappa (κ) with 95% confidence. RESULTS: The kappa concordance index obtained with Laguna ONhE and the majority of the experts' criterion (0.77) was significantly higher compared to that obtained with ACRIMA and the majority of the experts' criterion (0.61). In 44.7% of the cases there was absolute agreement among the 5 experts and the Laguna ONhE program. Removing borderline cases from the analysis yielded increased diagnostic agreement (0.81). The area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) of the Laguna ONhE program (0.953, p < 0.001) was not significantly different than AUROC of the majority of the experts' criterion (0.925, p < 0.001), p = 0.052. Individually obtained expert's AUROCs were significantly lower (0.636 to 0.913; p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Laguna ONhE's agreement with the experts is high, particularly where the diagnosis may be more obvious by the appearance of the ONH.

A Culturally Adapted Diet and Physical Activity Text Message Intervention to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus for Women of Pakistani Origin Living in Scotland: Formative Study.

BACKGROUND: Individuals of South Asian origin are at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) compared with other ethnic minority groups. Therefore, there is a need to develop interventions to address, and reduce, this heightened risk. OBJECTIVE: We undertook formative work to develop a culturally adapted diet and physical activity text message intervention to prevent T2DM for women of Pakistani origin living in Scotland. METHODS: We used a stepwise approach that was informed by the Six Steps in Quality Intervention Development framework, which consisted of gathering evidence through literature review and focus groups (step 1), developing a program theory for the intervention (step 2), and finally developing the content of the text messages and an accompanying delivery plan (step 3). RESULTS: In step 1, we reviewed 12 articles and identified 3 key themes describing factors impacting on diet and physical activity in the context of T2DM prevention: knowledge on ways to prevent T2DM through diet and physical activity; cultural, social, and gender norms; and perceived level of control and sense of inevitability over developing T2DM. The key themes that emerged from the 3 focus groups with a total of 25 women were the need for interventions to provide "friendly encouragement," "companionship," and a "focus on the individual" and also for the text messages to "set achievable goals" and include "information on cooking healthy meals." We combined the findings of the focus groups and literature review to create 13 guiding principles for culturally adapting the text messages. In step 2, we developed a program theory, which specified the main determinants of change that our text messages should aim to enhance: knowledge and skills, sense of control, goal setting and planning behavior, peer support, and norms and beliefs guiding behavior. In step 3, we used both the intervention program theory and guiding principles to develop a set of 73 text messages aimed at supporting a healthy diet and 65 text messages supporting increasing physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: We present a theory-based approach to develop a culturally adapted diet and physical activity text message intervention to prevent T2DM for women of Pakistani origin living in Scotland. This study outlines an approach that may also be applicable to the development of interventions for other ethnic minority populations in diverse settings. There is now a need to build on this formative work and undertake a feasibility trial of a text message-based diet and physical activity intervention to prevent T2DM for women of Pakistani origin living in Scotland.

Cytocompatible and biodegradable poly(d,l-lactide-coglycolide)/reduced graphene oxide scaffolds.

Applications of graphene in regenerative medicine have attracted the increasing attention of numerous research groups due to the specific properties that confers on biomaterials. In this paper, the degradation behavior of poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide (PLGA)/reduced graphene oxide (rGO) scaffolds obtained by thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) and lyophilization was studied in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) solution, at 37 °C during eight weeks. Additionally, the cytotoxicity of the different samples through the metabolic activity of L929 fibroblast cells was also addressed. Scanning electron microscopy tests show that the addition of rGO particles increases the pore size from 60 to 100 µm as well as their morphological definition. Scaffolds with 0.6 and 1% rGO concentrations lost more mass than those with lower filler content, that is, they degraded more quickly. The results obtained by differential scanning calorimetry indicate that the rGO particles restrict the movement of the macromolecular chain segments due to the formation of hydrogen bonds and electrostatic attraction. The electrical conductivity tests show that the addition of rGO leads to a rapid transition from insulating to conductive scaffolds with a percolation value of ≈ 0.5 w/w. All the different PLGA samples with different rGO content up to 1% present no cytotoxic behaviour for L929 fibroblast cells, being therefor suitable for biomedical applications.

Food Insecurity among International Migrants during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review.

The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus and the measures imposed to control it have impacted food security globally, particularly among vulnerable populations. Food insecurity, in turn, has repercussions on health, exacerbating pre-existing inequalities. This scoping review maps the literature describing associations between the COVID-19 pandemic and food insecurity among migrants, with a particular view toward health. A total of 909 papers were extracted through four electronic databases, and 46 studies were included. The migrant populations described originated mainly from Latin America (11/46) and were located in North America (21/46). Most studies included refugees and asylum seekers (20/46). The main challenges described were financial hardship (28/46), the effect of migrants' documentation status on using public food aid (13/46), and the suspension of or reduction in humanitarian assistance due to the economic recession (7/46). The impact of food insecurity on migrants' mental and physical health was described in 26 of the 46 studies. Authorities in all destination countries should focus their attention and efforts into ensuring nutrition security for migrants in a holistic way, including their economic and legal integration, to be better prepared for health crises in the future.

Food insecurity and its association with mental health among Syrian refugees resettled in Norway: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Refugees are at a higher risk of food insecurity than the general population in high-income resettling countries. Simultaneously, the prevalence rates of mental ill health among refugees surpasses the general population in receiving countries both in high- and low-income settings. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of food insecurity and to study the association between food insecurity and mental health among Syrian refugees resettled in Norway. Methods: As part of the CHART study (Changing Health and health care needs Along the Syrian Refugees' Trajectories to Norway), 353 Syrian refugees resettled in Norway for approximately one year participated in a structured telephone survey. We assessed food insecurity with the Household Food Security Survey Module (HFSSM) and mental health (symptoms of anxiety and depression) with the Hopkins Symptom Checklist (HSCL-10). We used descriptive statistics to estimate food insecurity overall, and among women, men, and children separately. The association between food insecurity and mental health symptoms was studied using logistic regression. Results: One year after resettlement in Norway food insecurity was reported among 22% of adult Syrian refugees and 24% of their children. The most frequently reported problems were that food did not last or that they skipped meals often or sometimes (approximately 15% for each parameter). Respondents also worried that food would run out before they got money to buy more (15%), had not been eating balanced food in the past 12 months (9%), and had been eating less than before (7%). A few participants reported that they had not been eating for a whole day (5%), had been hungry (4%), or had lost weight during the last year (3%). Most of the women did not report any food insecurity among children in their households (76%), some reported that their children were moderate food insecure (13%), and a few that their children were severely food insecure (10%). Among adults, mental ill health was significantly associated with severe food insecurity (odds ratio (OR) 6.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.1-20.5) but not with moderate food insecurity (OR 1.5, 95% CI 0.4-5.8). Conclusion: Food insecurity among refugees and their children after resettlement to high-income countries should be acknowledged and systematically targeted. The association with mental health reinforces the need to consider food insecurity in public health strategies towards refugees.

Health status of Syrian refugees in Ireland - research and routine data informing service provision.

INTRODUCTION: The Irish government agreed to accept up to 4000 Syrian refugees for resettlement in Ireland in 2016. Prior to their arrival in Ireland, health screening was carried out by the International Organisation for Migration. GP assessments to address immediate health needs and facilitate integration into local primary care were conducted on arrival. METHODS: Cross-sectional data from a self-completed questionnaire among Syrian Refugees aged 16 years and older resident in emergency reception centres (EROCs) are reported along with data from GP assessments. The questionnaire, comprising validated instruments, was developed for a similar study in Norway. RESULTS: From the research questionnaires, two-thirds of the respondents reported their overall health status to be good or very good. The most common health condition was headache and the most common medications used were painkillers. Those experiencing chronic pain were three times less likely to rate their general health as good compared with those without pain. From the GP assessment data, we identified that 28% had high blood pressure, 61% were assessed to be in need of dental care and 32% of refugees were found to have an issue with their vision. DISCUSSION: Our findings were communicated to the Health Service Executive via the Partnership for Health Equity and informed a change in service provision in relation to dental services in EROCs. In terms of further action, we conclude that pain is an important symptom to consider in terms of diagnosis and treatment, and impact on health status.