Post-migration dietary changes among african refugees in Geneva: a rapid assessment study to inform nutritional interventions.
OBJECTIVE
To conduct an assessment of perceived dietary changes and problems by African asylum seekers, in order to develop appropriate nutritional education interventions.


METHODS
A cross-sectional qualitative study among a convenience sample. Analysis compared and contrasted reported dietary changes and migration-related difficulties.


RESULTS
Nineteen interviews were analysed. After migration, main dietary changes were the decrease in different fruits and vegetables consumed weekly from 10 to 2 and 17 to 10 respectively. The number of respondents drinking sweetened beverages more than 3 times a week increased from 3 to 18. Reasons for changes were related to prices, taste, choice and accessibility.


CONCLUSIONS
These dietary changes may have serious health consequences. Future remedial interventions based on suggestions of the respondents could easily be implemented.
Kruseman
Maaike
M
Department of Community Medicine, University Hospitals of Geneva, Switzerland. Maaike.Kruseman@hcuge.ch
Barandereka
Nelly-Ange
NA
Hudelson
Patricia
P
Stalder
Hans
H
D000069:Acculturation; D000328:Adult; D002253:Carbonated Beverages; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005006:Ethnicity; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D052756:Nutritional Sciences / Q000193:education*; D012036:Refugees; D013557:Switzerland; D014675:Vegetables