Artikel
Determinants of health among Ukrainian refugees in Germany: comparison with recently arrived refugees from other countries of origin
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Autoren
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Louise Biddle
- DIW Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Andrea Marchitto
- DIW Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Sabine Zinn
- DIW Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| Veröffentlicht: | 6. September 2024 |
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Gliederung
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Background: 6.5 million Ukrainian refugees have been displaced globally since 2022, with 1 million seeking asylum in Germany. Little is known about the health determinants for this group, limiting the evidence base for policy intervention.
Methods: We use a nationally representative survey of adult Ukrainian refugees in Germany (IAB-BiB/FReDA-BAMF-SOEP study; n=5943), conducted in 2023, to analyse the effect of sociodemographic, pre-migration (experienced war intensity, traumatic experiences) and post-migration factors (time since arrival, accommodation, social networks) on self-rated health using multiple logistic regression. We contrast these findings with estimates of identical models obtained from a subset of the IAB-BAMF-SOEP-sample of non-Ukrainian refugees within one year of arrival (n=1195).
Results: In the Ukrainian sample, post-migration factors are particularly critical for health, with those experiencing discrimination (OR 1.83; 95%CI: 1.51,2.21) and social isolation (OR: 2.70; 95%CI: 2.23, 3.28) affected by ill health, while those with high German proficiency (OR 0.34; 95%CI: 0.18, 0.64) and contact with Germans (OR: 0.66; 95%CI: 0.53,0.83) are protected. Pre-migration factors do not affect self-rated health. Among refugees from other countries of origin, post-migration factors are not associated with health within the first year of arrival, with exception of social isolation (OR: 2.03; 95%CI: 1.32,3.13).
Discussion: Despite the EU Temporary Protection Directive, the health of Ukrainian refugees in Germany is shaped by adverse post-migration circumstances. While other refugee groups may have had riskier escape journeys and worse arrival conditions, this is unrelated to self-rated health in the first year. This underscores the importance of considering pre-migration contexts when evaluating subjective health. Outreach services, communication campaigns and the expansion of medical interpreting services are needed to ensure access to the health system.
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
The authors declare that an ethics committee vote is not required.
