Perceived discrimination and its association with self-rated health, chronic pain, mental health, and utilization of health services among Syrian refugees in Norway: a cross-sectional study
BackgroundThere is a scarcity of research on discriminatory experiences and their association with health outcomes among Syrian Refugees in Norway. Thus, this study aims to examine the relationship between perceived discrimination, self-rated health (SRH), chronic pain, poor mental health, and healt...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2024-02-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1264230/full |
| _version_ | 1797319492217339904 |
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| author | Omid Dadras Omid Dadras Esperanza Diaz |
| author_facet | Omid Dadras Omid Dadras Esperanza Diaz |
| author_sort | Omid Dadras |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BackgroundThere is a scarcity of research on discriminatory experiences and their association with health outcomes among Syrian Refugees in Norway. Thus, this study aims to examine the relationship between perceived discrimination, self-rated health (SRH), chronic pain, poor mental health, and healthcare utilization among Syrian refugees resettled in Norway.MethodsCross-sectional data from the Integration for Health project were analyzed, including 154 Syrian refugees who resettled in Norway in 2018–19. Perceived discrimination, SRH, chronic pain, psychological distress, post-traumatic stress symptoms, and healthcare visits were assessed. Statistical analyses, including Poisson regression and multinomial logistic regression, were conducted. The significant statistical level was set at 0.05.ResultsApproximately 30% of participants reported experiencing discrimination, with no significant associations between sociodemographic factors and perceived discrimination. Perceived discrimination was significantly associated with psychological distress (adjusted PR: 2.07, 95%CI: 1.21–3.55), post-traumatic stress symptoms (adjusted PR: 11.54, 95%CI: 1.25–106.16), and 4 or more psychologist visits (adjusted OR: 12.60, 95%CI: 1.72–92.16). However, no significant associations were found between perceived discrimination and SRH; pain symptoms, or general healthcare utilization.ConclusionExperienced discrimination is highly prevalent and seems to be associated with mental health outcomes, but not clearly with SRH, pain, or general healthcare visits among Syrian refugees living in Norway. Efforts should focus on reducing discrimination, promoting social inclusion, and improving access to mental health services for refugees. Public awareness campaigns, anti-discrimination policies, and cultural training for healthcare professionals are recommended to address these issues and improve the well-being of Syrian refugees in Norway. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T04:07:39Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-78fb84ec832e486c9a5e18c4fd4c8128 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2296-2565 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T04:07:39Z |
| publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-78fb84ec832e486c9a5e18c4fd4c81282024-02-09T04:25:28ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652024-02-011210.3389/fpubh.2024.12642301264230Perceived discrimination and its association with self-rated health, chronic pain, mental health, and utilization of health services among Syrian refugees in Norway: a cross-sectional studyOmid Dadras0Omid Dadras1Esperanza Diaz2Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, NorwayDepartment of Addiction Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, NorwayDepartment of Addiction Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, NorwayBackgroundThere is a scarcity of research on discriminatory experiences and their association with health outcomes among Syrian Refugees in Norway. Thus, this study aims to examine the relationship between perceived discrimination, self-rated health (SRH), chronic pain, poor mental health, and healthcare utilization among Syrian refugees resettled in Norway.MethodsCross-sectional data from the Integration for Health project were analyzed, including 154 Syrian refugees who resettled in Norway in 2018–19. Perceived discrimination, SRH, chronic pain, psychological distress, post-traumatic stress symptoms, and healthcare visits were assessed. Statistical analyses, including Poisson regression and multinomial logistic regression, were conducted. The significant statistical level was set at 0.05.ResultsApproximately 30% of participants reported experiencing discrimination, with no significant associations between sociodemographic factors and perceived discrimination. Perceived discrimination was significantly associated with psychological distress (adjusted PR: 2.07, 95%CI: 1.21–3.55), post-traumatic stress symptoms (adjusted PR: 11.54, 95%CI: 1.25–106.16), and 4 or more psychologist visits (adjusted OR: 12.60, 95%CI: 1.72–92.16). However, no significant associations were found between perceived discrimination and SRH; pain symptoms, or general healthcare utilization.ConclusionExperienced discrimination is highly prevalent and seems to be associated with mental health outcomes, but not clearly with SRH, pain, or general healthcare visits among Syrian refugees living in Norway. Efforts should focus on reducing discrimination, promoting social inclusion, and improving access to mental health services for refugees. Public awareness campaigns, anti-discrimination policies, and cultural training for healthcare professionals are recommended to address these issues and improve the well-being of Syrian refugees in Norway.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1264230/fullSyrian refugeesperceived discriminationself-rated healthpain symptomsmental healthhealthcare utilization |
| spellingShingle | Omid Dadras Omid Dadras Esperanza Diaz Perceived discrimination and its association with self-rated health, chronic pain, mental health, and utilization of health services among Syrian refugees in Norway: a cross-sectional study Frontiers in Public Health Syrian refugees perceived discrimination self-rated health pain symptoms mental health healthcare utilization |
| title | Perceived discrimination and its association with self-rated health, chronic pain, mental health, and utilization of health services among Syrian refugees in Norway: a cross-sectional study |
| title_full | Perceived discrimination and its association with self-rated health, chronic pain, mental health, and utilization of health services among Syrian refugees in Norway: a cross-sectional study |
| title_fullStr | Perceived discrimination and its association with self-rated health, chronic pain, mental health, and utilization of health services among Syrian refugees in Norway: a cross-sectional study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Perceived discrimination and its association with self-rated health, chronic pain, mental health, and utilization of health services among Syrian refugees in Norway: a cross-sectional study |
| title_short | Perceived discrimination and its association with self-rated health, chronic pain, mental health, and utilization of health services among Syrian refugees in Norway: a cross-sectional study |
| title_sort | perceived discrimination and its association with self rated health chronic pain mental health and utilization of health services among syrian refugees in norway a cross sectional study |
| topic | Syrian refugees perceived discrimination self-rated health pain symptoms mental health healthcare utilization |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1264230/full |
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