Artikel
SAVE–KID: Cross-sectional survey of professionals delivering care for migrant children and adolescents
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Autoren
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Anna Jael Esser
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Rheumatology, Center for Pediatrics, University Medical Center Freiburg, Germany
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Jana Willems
- Section of Health Care Research and Rehabilitation Research, Institute of Medical Biometry and Statistics, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Germany
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Markus Hufnagel
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Rheumatology, Center for Pediatrics, University Medical Center Freiburg, Germany
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Thorsten Langer
- Department of Neuropediatrics and Muscle Disorders, Center for Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine - University of Freiburg, Germany
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Benedikt D. Spielberger
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Rheumatology, Center for Pediatrics, University Medical Center Freiburg, Germany
| Veröffentlicht: | 4. November 2024 |
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Gliederung
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Project description: In 2022, almost 1.5 million individuals came to Germany as refugees; ~30% of them were children and adolescents. The main countries of origin were Ukraine, Syria, Afghanistan, and Turkey. The German Pediatric Infectious Disease Society (DGPI) and the Robert Koch-Institute (RKI) have developed screening guidelines focusing on infectious diseases. It is unclear whether these recommendations can be implemented in practice. In addition, guidance on how to address mental health issues is limited.
Methods: We used the online platform REDCap to conduct a cross-sectional survey with professionals involved in the care of refugee minors (responses mainly Likert scaled). Respondents were recruited through Infectious Diseases Societies (DGPI, DGI), Tropical Medicine Societies (GTP, DTG), Pediatric Societies (DGKJ, BVKJ) and via multipliers (e.g., Caritas, DRK, PriCareNet research network). The survey contains two major areas: Infectious disease screening and experiences with mental health issues in minors who arrived in Germany over the last two years as refugees.
Research question on mental health: What is the estimated burden of mental health problems among minor refugees? Is it possible to provide appropriate (follow-up) mental health care?
Results: The survey is still open for participation. So far, 134 participants completed the survey (mean age 45.1 yrs.; 72% female). The largest groups were doctors (50%) and social workers (34%).
Over 2/3 of respondents stated that systematic screening of minors for mental health problems in their workplace is rarely conducted at best. The most frequently reported problems were sadness, restlessness, and fatigue. On average, each respondent identified 16 young people with at least one mental health problem over the last three months but was only able to refer seven (44%) for further psychological/psychiatric assessment. Over 50% clearly stated that they were only rarely or not at all able to meet the needs of affected minors. Over 65% of participants have no adequate professional training in mental health; over 2/3 reported at least occasional excessive demands. Over 60% of respondents indicated that sufficient follow-up care resources are rarely available at best. 60% rated this resource accessibility as significantly more limited compared to minors growing up in Germany.
Discussion: SAVE-KID reveals severe structural problems in the care of refugee minors with mental health problems. Comprehensive, systematic detection of mental health problems seems to be difficult due to communication problems and lack of specialized staff/diagnostic tools. Furthermore, care structures and services are lacking for adequate follow-up care.
Conclusion: From the professionals’ perspective, refugee minors do not appear to receive adequate mental health support. This may contribute to devastating individual life stories and cause long-term socio-political problems. There is an urgent need for more research and action.
