1. Nothing to Disclose: ASK, ARA, KP, MR, AP, EL, WPR
Comprehensive assessment on migrants and refugees residing in the refugee camp in the island of Samos in Greece Alexander S. Karageorgiadis MD1, Amanda R. Abou-Fadel MD2, Katerina Pappa3, Mustafa Rajab4, Alexia Papachristopoulou5, Emmanouil Logothetis MD6, Wolfgang P. Rennert MD1
1Department of Pediatrics, Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC 2 Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Children’s Hospital at Montefiore, Bronx, NY 3Medical Intervention, Samos, Greece 4Samaritan’s Purse, Samos, Greece 5European Asylum Support Office, Samos, Greece 6Hellenic Center of Disease Control and Prevention, Samos, Greece
OBJECTIVE
RESULTS
DISCUSSION
During the period of the survey there were 908 people residing in the refugee camp. From our questionnaires, we were able to obtain information about 90 subjects, of which 62.2% were males and 57.8% were below the age of 18. Average age was 17 years of age with a range of years. Majority of subjects reported their country of origin to be Syria (78.9%) followed by Iraq (17.8%) and Iran (3.3%). Primary reasons for leaving their country for most subjects were security (76.3%) followed by financial (13.2%). Regarding the comparison of their health status prior and after their arrival at the refugee camp, the majority (47.4%) reported that their health worsened versus 28.9% who responded that it was improved. 78.9% of the subjects had experience with a medical provider in Samos, of which 36.6% described as average and 26.7% as good; 16.7% reported that they had a very bad experience. 39.5% of the subjects described their living conditions as very bad, 42.1% responded that they rarely sleep well at night and 44.7% rarely have a good appetite. Most of them (52.6%) feel safe at the refugee camp. 21.1% of subjects reported they were victims of violence in the refugee camp, 75% of which involved physical abuse. 39.5% of the refugees/migrants witnessed violence in the camp, 66.7% of which was psychological abuse. Of the subjects below 18 years of age, 11.5% developed health issues since their arrival and 42.3% received medical care in Samos. 44.2% are up to date for their immunizations according to their caregivers and 36.5% have documentation of their vaccines with them. Almost half (48.1%) of the minors’ caregivers recalled the date of their children’s last check up, which was on average 137 days prior to the day of questionnaire completion. Regarding sleep hygiene, 42.3% sometimes and 32.7% rarely sleep well at night. Caregivers responded about their children’s mood prior and after their arrival at Samos which showed that 50% of them had a worse mood after their arrival. 42.1% of all subjects reported that their most important unmet need was legal assistance followed by food-related issues (34.2%). Lastly, participants were asked about their future plans and half of them reported that they would like to return to their home country when security situation gets better; 23.7% of the subjects would prefer to stay in Europe.
Main objective of our study was to assess the demographic, medical and psychosocial status of migrants and refugees residing in Samos refugee camp. We wanted to compare their health and living conditions before and after their arrival at the camp and inform ourselves of the major problems they confront daily. Our goal was to find out what they have experienced and witnessed so far and be informed of the basic goods or services they feel they are mostly deprived of.
We were able to collect important information about the health, living conditions and psychosocial status of the refugees/migrants that reside in Samos. Almost half of the subjects reported a worse health status since their arrival at the camp and there were significant differences regarding their sleep hygiene and appetite as well. Almost 1/3 of minors’ immunizations are not up to date according to their caregivers. We were informed of the types of violence they have experienced or witnessed and whether they feel safe in the camp. Their most important unmet need reported was legal assistance followed by food-related issues. The fact that the questionnaires were only available in English and Arabic language constitutes an important limitation to our study.
Nevertheless, this is the first comprehensive assessment in Samos and one of the few that have been conducted in Greek refugee camps. The subjects’ feedback is essential to the First Reception Office and to everyone who provides services to the camp. Based on that, further studies should be followed addressing the important changes that could be implemented and potentially have a positive effect on the daily life of the refugees/migrants in Samos.
METHODS
We conducted a survey via anonymous written questionnaire use which included 30 comprehensive questions, available in English and Arabic language, divided in 5 categories: i) personal information, ii) arrival and family, iii) health and psychosocial conditions, iv) unmet needs and v) future plans. All subjects had to be above 18 years of age, reside in the refugee camp and be able to communicate in English or Arabic language. Subjects who had children below 18 years of age had the opportunity to respond to questions about them as well. Questionnaires were distributed throughout the camp during a four week period. There was an introductory interview, informing the subjects of the nature of the survey and making sure they understand that it had no effect on their refugee or migration status. Informed consent was obtained prior to completion of questionnaires. Questionnaires were always completed with the presence of the principal investigator and interpreter if necessary. The questionnaire was completed voluntarily and the subjects had the option to avoid any question they preferred not to respond. Social workers and psychologists were available in the camp to intervene and provide their services in case of any emotional distress provoked during the survey. A B
Keywords: Refugee camp, health status, living conditions, psychosocial status, Samos
Nothing to Disclose: ASK, ARA, KP, MR, AP, EL, WPR
Figure A. Most important unmet needs of refugees and migrants residing in Samos refugee camp shown by percentage.
Figure B. Comparison between children’s mood status at home and at Samos refugee camp according to their caregivers, shown by percentage.