Review article
Health of dispaced persons and their adaptation in the xommunity: pilot study
Zdravko Ebling
Lidija Prlić
Rudika Gmajnić
Barbara Ebling
Luka Kovačić
Abstract
Many citizens from the Osijek-Baranya county, in order to survive, left their homes during the homeland war in 1991/92, and spent between 5 and 7 years in asylum. Dispalced persons and returnees are faced now with many changes both in social and economic life, which causes very often difficult psychological and health problems and need immediate interventions. This paper is the pilot research within the project "Health of returnees and possibility of their adaptation" coordinated by the Department of Family Medicine, Primary Health Care, Health Care Organisation and Health Economics of the Faculty of Medicine in Osijek and Health Center Osijek. The aim of the study is to assess the health status (physical, mental and social) of refugee/returnee population, their use of health services and to identify the factors influencing their adaptation. Its aim is also to propose the health programs, psychological and social support which could help faster integration into the social and community life, education and employment. The study was done as a pilot study on the randomised sample of 58 respondents. As a first part of the study the method of the Croatian health survey 2003 with additional questionnaire related to the problems of returnees was used. It was found that 38% of returnees felt exhausted and 40% tyred. According to their own oppinion after return from asylum, 78% of them did not integrate into the community and social life. During asylum and after their return health status of returnees was worse than before. Serious maladaptation problems which need health, medical and social intervention were found.
Keywords
Adaptation; Community; Displaced persons; Health
Hrčak ID:
190673
URI
Publication date:
1.12.2002.
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