Gesundheitswesen 2021; 83(08/09): 700
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1732117
Donnerstag 23.09.2021
Vorträge

Health-related quality of Life of asylum seekers and refugees in Germany: a cross-sectional study with data from the German Socio-Economic Panel

T Grochtdreis
1   Institut für Gesundheitsökonomie und Versorgungsforschung, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Deutschland
,
H-H König
1   Institut für Gesundheitsökonomie und Versorgungsforschung, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Deutschland
,
SG Riedel-Heller
2   Institut für Sozialmedizin, Arbeitsmedizin und Public Health (ISAP), Universität Leipzig, Leipzig, Deutschland
,
J Dams
1   Institut für Gesundheitsökonomie und Versorgungsforschung, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Deutschland
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Purpose From 2014 to 2017, the member states of the EU were experiencing an increased number of asylum applications. Before and during their flight, asylum seekers are confronted with harsh conditions implying physical and psychological stress. The purpose of this study was to estimate the health-related quality of life (HrQoL) of asylum seekers and refugees that arrived during the European migrant and refugee crisis in Germany between 2014 and 2017.

Methods The analysis was based on the 2016 and 2017 refugee samples of the German Socio-Economic Panel (n = 6821). HrQoL was measured using the SF-12v2 questionnaire and presented as physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) component summary scores. PCS and MCS scores for the total sample, males and females were calculated by sociodemographic characteristics. Associations between PCS and MCS scores and sociodemographic variables were examined by a linear regression with bootstrapped standard errors.

Results The mean PCS and MCS scores of the sample were 53.4 and 47.9, respectively. Female sex was statistically significantly associated with lower PCS and MCS scores. Employment was statistically significantly associated with higher PCS and MCS scores. Persons from Afghanistan had statistically significantly lower MCS scores than persons from Syria, whereas MCS scores were statistically significantly higher for persons from Eritrea.

Conclusions Physical and mental HrQoL of asylum seekers and refugees that arrived during the European migrant and refugee crisis in Germany between 2014 and 2017 was higher and lower than the German norm, respectively. Female sex, older age, unemployment and being separated, divorced or widowed were negatively associated with HrQoL. The three largest ethnical groups of asylum seekers and refugees, Syrians, Afghans and Eritreans, differ inherently in their HrQoL.



Publication History

Article published online:
02 September 2021

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