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RESEARCH PAPER
Analysis of the health needs of the paediatric immigrant population from Ukraine who received medical assistance in 2023 within the framework of the Centre for Medical Services of the Military Institute of Medicine – National Research Institute in Warsaw
 
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1
Wojskowy Instytut Medyczny – Państwowy Instytut Badawczy, Klinika Pediatrii, Nefrologii i Alergologii Dziecięcej, Polska
 
2
Wojskowy Instytut Medyczny – Państwowy Instytut Badawczy, Klinika Kardiologii i Chorób Wewnętrznych, Polska
 
3
Wydział Medyczny Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego, Polska
 
 
Submission date: 2024-04-15
 
 
Final revision date: 2024-05-10
 
 
Acceptance date: 2024-05-10
 
 
Publication date: 2024-06-28
 
 
Corresponding author
Agata Będzichowska   

Wojskowy Instytut Medyczny - Państwowy Instytut Badawczy, Klinika Pediatrii, Nefrologii i Alergologii Dziecięcej, ul. Szaserów 128, 04-141, Warszawa, Polska
 
 
LW 2024;102(2):128-133
 
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ABSTRACT
Introduction and objective: The influx of Ukrainian refugees, caused by the armed conflict in Ukraine that began in 2022, necessitated the development of new standards of medical assistance in Poland. Therefore, the Centre for Medical Services for Refugees was established on the premises of the Military Institute of Medicine – National Research Institute. Based on the analysis of collected medical data, the main goal of the article was to define the health status and the most common health problems of the Ukrainian paediatric immigrant population. Material and methods: Ukrainian children with refugee status seeking help at the Centre were included in the study. During the 56 days of the Centre’s operation, medical assistance was provided to 130 paediatric patients as part of 211 medical consultations carried out from May to July 2023. Detailed analysis of the children’s demographic data, epidemiological factors, current health issues, medical history and documentation was conducted. Results: The need for continuing the treatment for chronic diseases (30%, 64 visits) was the most common reason for appointment, while infections constituted the second most frequent reason (27%, 56 visits). Based on information collected by means of questionnaires, the majority of children (74%) were fully vaccinated, partially vaccinated and unvaccinated children accounted for 1% and 3%, respectively, whereas 22% of respondents refused to answer questions regarding vaccinations. According to the survey on infectious diseases, two cases of viral hepatitis and one case of tuberculosis were identified. There were no cases of HIV/AIDS. Conclusions: The general health status of paediatric Ukrainian refugees was good, not significantly different from the Polish population, and their health needs also did not differ from those of Polish patients. The patients did not present symptoms typical of a war migrant population. The results of the implemented programme confirm the usefulness of establishing the Centre for Medical Services for Refugees as a space for professional medical care and a great tool for public health data collection.
eISSN:1509-5754
ISSN:0024-0745
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