title: Demographics and utilisation of health services by paediatric refugees from East Africa: implications for service planning and provision.
abstract: Little is known of difficulties in accessing health care for recently arrived paediatric refugees in Australia. We reviewed routinely collected data for all 199 East African children attending a hospital Immigrant Health Clinic for the first time over a 16 month period. Although 63% of parents reported medical consultations since arrival, 77% of this group reported outstanding, unaddressed health problems. Availability of interpreters and information on health services were the main factors hindering access to care. These data have informed future service planning at the Clinic. Ongoing data collection is key to maintaining a responsive, targeted service for a continually changing population.
authors.affiliation: Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Regina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cooke
authors.forename: Sally
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Carapetis
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rice
authors.forename: Nigisti
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mulholland
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Skull
mesh_terms: D000351:Africa, Eastern; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D002648:Child; D003710:Demography; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D012036:Refugees