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A Mental Health Profile of 900 Newly Arrived Refugees in Denmark Using ICD-10 Diagnoses

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  • Anne Mette Fløe Hvass

    (Department of Social Medicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
    Section for Clinical Social Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
    DEFACTUM, Region Hospital West Jutland, Central Denmark Region, 7400 Herning, Denmark
    Centre for Global Health, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark)

  • Lene Nyboe

    (Clinic for PTSD and Anxiety, Aarhus University Hospital Aarhus, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark)

  • Kamilla Lanng

    (Centre for Global Health, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark)

  • Claus Vinther Nielsen

    (Section for Clinical Social Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
    DEFACTUM, Region Hospital West Jutland, Central Denmark Region, 7400 Herning, Denmark)

  • Christian Wejse

    (Centre for Global Health, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark)

Abstract

(1) Background: Recognizing mental health problems in newly arrived refugees poses a challenge. Little is known of the mental health profile of refugees currently arriving in Northern Europe. (2) Method: In total, we included 900 adult (≥18 years old) refugees arriving in Aarhus, Denmark, between 1 January 2014 and 1 January 2020. All participants accepted an offer of a voluntary systematic health assessment from the municipality in Aarhus, including a mental health screening. (3) Results: Within this cohort, 26% (237/900) of the participants were referred to the Department of Psychiatry, Aarhus University Hospital, 24% (212/900) were in contact with the department and 21% (185/900) received ≥1 psychiatric diagnosis. Within the subpopulation referred ( n = 237), 64% (152/237) were diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (DF431), 14% (34/237) with neurotic, stress-related and somatoform disorders (F40–F48) and 13% (30/237) with major mood disorders (F30–F39). Among the participants referred to the Department of Psychiatry and participants receiving a diagnosis, we found an overrepresentation of participants originating from the Southern Asian region (Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran) and with an age above 44 years. (4) Conclusion: We found a high prevalence of both referrals and psychiatric diagnoses in newly arrived refugees. Attention to psychiatric conditions in refugees and systematic health assessments during resettlement are needed.

Suggested Citation

  • Anne Mette Fløe Hvass & Lene Nyboe & Kamilla Lanng & Claus Vinther Nielsen & Christian Wejse, 2021. "A Mental Health Profile of 900 Newly Arrived Refugees in Denmark Using ICD-10 Diagnoses," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2021:i:1:p:418-:d:715413
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lindert, Jutta & Ehrenstein, Ondine S. von & Priebe, Stefan & Mielck, Andreas & Brähler, Elmar, 2009. "Depression and anxiety in labor migrants and refugees - A systematic review and meta-analysis," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 69(2), pages 246-257, July.
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