[Global health of unaccompanied refugee minors in Gironde (France) between 2011 and 2013]

Abstract

The lack of clinical practice recommendations for the care of the Unaccompanied Refugee Minors (URM) causes significant disparities depending on which department they arrive. By studying their global health we're willing to promote a standard of care for them.

Methods: Data descriptive study from a systematic medical procedure proposed to URM who came in Gironde between January, 2011 and December, 2013.

Results: 235 URM were included, from Africa (71%), Asia (21%) and from Eastern Europe (8%). Among them, 143 medical files were complete. The most frenquently diagnosed diseases, and/or the most serious, were digestive parasitoses (50%), schistosomiasis (7%), filariasis (6%), hepatitis B (chronic 6%, seroprevalence 28%), iron deficiency (26%, 4 % with anaemia), G6PD deficiency (8%) and tooth decays (29%). About mental disorders, 45% of the URM had a clinical presentation compatible with post-traumatic stress disorder, 4% had suicidal thoughts.

Conclusion: URM accumulate the health risks of teenagers and those of illegal immigrants. Consequently they require an oriented and particular care.

Keywords: France; Gironde; Parasitosis; Post-traumatic stress; Refugee health; Unaccompanied foreign minors; Unaccompanied minor refugees.