The health status of newly arrived asylum-seeking minors in Denmark: a nationwide register-based study

OBJECTIVES: Asylum-seeking minors are known to be at increased risk of physical and mental diseases compared to both native children and adult asylum seekers. We present a nationwide register-based study based on the health assessment of 7210 newly arrived minors in Danish asylum centres from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2015.

METHODS: We describe socio-demographic characteristics, trauma history and symptoms of physical and mental health. To associate the reporting of traumatic events and signs of anxiety or depression, we performed logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS: We found a high, albeit varying, prevalence of traumatic experiences, sleeping and eating problems, and head- and toothache. In the subgroup that was assessed for need of urgent support, more than two of every five minor scored above the threshold. In the subgroup examined by a doctor, one of every four had at least one abnormal finding.

CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of trauma and mental health symptoms and the association of the two were striking. Our findings underline that timely recognition and appropriate treatment of childhood traumas should be given high priority in the receiving communities.