Screening and Primary Care Access for Newly Arrived Paediatric Refugees in Regional Australia: A 5 year Cross-sectional Analysis (2007-12).
This study aimed to determine the prevalence of health conditions in newly arrived refugee children and access to timely heath screening. Methods: Cross-sectional data from screening of refugee children in regional Australia (2007-12) were analysed for health conditions and timeliness of primary care access. The health of 376 newly arrived refugee children (0-15 years) was assessed. Refugee children came from African (45%), Southeast Asian (29%) and Eastern Mediterranean (10%) regions. Access to primary care screening was present in 367 children (97% of arrivals). Completion of all recommended screening tests was 72%. Of 188 children with arrival and screening dates recorded, 88% were screened within 1 month and 96% within 6 months of arrival. Timely access of remaining children could not be assessed. Conclusion: Primary care was highly accessible to almost all newly arrived refugee children. Health screening was timely in those children with complete medical records.
Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Sydney, New South Wales 2031, Australia.|University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia.
Karen
K
Zwi
Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Sydney, New South Wales 2031, Australia.
Nikola
N
Morton
South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, District Executive Unit, Sydney, NSW 2229, Australia.
Lisa
L
Woodland
University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia.
Kylie-Ann
KA
Mallitt
Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Sydney, New South Wales 2031, Australia.|University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia.
Pamela
P
Palasanthiran
D001315:Australia; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011634:Public Health; D012036:Refugees
child; model of care.; primary care; refugee; screening