Search Results (28)

This study investigates how differing educational frameworks across Lebanon, Turkey, and Australia influence the perceived educational performance of Syrian refugee children. The legal status granted to refugees in each country fundamentally shapes their respective education systems’ responses. In Lebanon, refugees are generally classified as temporarily displaced persons, resulting in an emergency-based approach to education for the approximately 500,000 Syrian children present. By contrast, Australia has offered permanent resettlement opportunities to selected Syrian refugees, integrating them directly into mainstream schools. Turkey, meanwhile, has progressively shifted from emergency-based measures to policies oriented toward long-term integration. This research is based on survey data from 1298 Syrian refugee children across the three contexts. Findings from ordered probit regression analyses indicate that, beyond the legal duration of residency and the prevailing educational policy model (emergency versus long-term integration), variables such as the extent of educational segregation, the availability of preparatory and language support programmes, and the socioeconomic status of families are also pivotal in shaping students’ self-perceived academic performance. Full article

War refugees are more likely to present psychological disorders, such as PTSD. Memory impairments often hinder their ability to recall and integrate traumatic events. This study investigated the memory capacity of 133 Syrian refugee children and adolescents in Lebanon and examined the moderating role of resilience in the relationship between exposure to negative events, post-traumatic stress reactions, and traumatic events recollection. Participants completed the Childhood War Trauma Questionnaire (CWTQ), Post-Traumatic Symptom Reactions Checklist for Children (PTSR-C), and Child and Youth Resilience Measure-28 (CYRM-28). They also performed a timeline exercise, part of Narrative Exposure Therapy, in which they organized and described their positive and negative life memories. Results showed that memories of traumatic events were lower than potentially traumatic events that participants had witnessed. This difference increased as post-traumatic stress increased. Moreover, potentially traumatic events experienced predicted post-traumatic stress reactions, and these predicted negative memories recalled. Participants’ resilience moderated the association between post-traumatic reactions and remembered traumatic memories showing that only for children and adolescents with higher resilience post-traumatic symptoms predicted trauma-related memories. The results highlight meaning making and sharing capacities of natural relational contexts (family, peers, etc.) as potential key processes to be promoted to overcome and process traumatic events. Full article

Background/Objectives: Refugee children are vulnerable in many respects. Determining their nutritional characteristics can guide the interventions that need to be developed. We aimed to determine the infant feeding characteristics of Syrian refugee mothers. Methods: Syrian health care workers administered a survey file to Syrian mothers (n = 210) having a child under two years of age in 39 refugee health centers from five provinces. Analysis for association was conducted using the Chi-square test and logistic regression. Results: The mean (±SD) age was 27.1 ± 6.3 years for mothers and 11.0 ± 6.2 months for infants. Thirty percent of the children had prelacteal feeding, most frequently sugary water, formula, and anise. Of all, 69% continued to be breastfed; 86% in 0–5-month-old babies and 36% in 16–23-month-old infants. Of 16–23-month-old children, 40% had not eaten any fruit and vegetables rich in vitamin A before. Multivariate analysis revealed that prelacteal feeding was associated with bottle feeding and not having lactation counseling support in the prenatal and postnatal periods (AOR: 2.61, 95% CI: 1.35–5.10; AOR: 2.79, 95% CI: 1.33–5.84). Being still-breastfed was associated with younger age (0–5 months old) and not using feeding bottles (AOR: 3.85, 95% CI: 1.47–10.10; AOR: 2.66, 95% CI: 1.35–5.21, respectively). Conclusion: Prelacteal feeding, sugary water consumption, bottle feeding, and limited dietary diversity were identified as significant nutritional issues among Syrian infants. In addition to lactation counseling, there is a need for culturally appropriate education on complementary feeding and healthy child nutrition for pregnant mothers and those with children under two years of age. Full article

Background and Objectives: Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) is a major contributor to pediatric morbidity and mortality worldwide. There is a scarcity of data on AGE in North Lebanon, a region profoundly affected by the Syrian refugee crisis and water sanitation issues. This study examines the prevalence, risk factors, and seasonal variations in adenovirus and rotavirus infections in children with AGE in North Lebanon. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2022 to August 2023 on 400 children (1 month to 5 years old) with AGE that were admitted to pediatric departments of three private hospitals in North Lebanon. Stool samples were collected and tested using chromatographic immunoassays. Comprehensive demographic and clinical data were collected and analyzed. Results: Rotavirus was the most frequent viral agent (28%), followed by adenovirus (12.3%) and mixed infections (5.5%). Rotavirus vaccination demonstrated a significant protective effect, and lower infection rates were associated with breastfeeding and consumption of bottled water (p < 0.001). Higher infection rates correlated with lower levels of maternal education and household incomes (p < 0.001). Malnutrition significantly increased susceptibility to rotavirus infections (p < 0.001). Conclusions: This study emphasized the urgent need for targeted public health interventions in North Lebanon to mitigate the burden of rotavirus and adenovirus-induced acute gastroenteritis among children. Full article

Background: Global research has reported that the number of children and adolescents suffering from mental health issues has increased over the past decades. In Jordan, there has been a growing interest in investigating mental health among these groups in the most recent decade; nevertheless, only a few studies have covered behavioral and emotional problems. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of behavioral and emotional problems among children and adolescents in Jordan and investigate their associated factors. Methods: A large-scale, national, school-based cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2022 and April 2023 on children and adolescents living in Jordan aged between 8 and 18 years. The study included public schools, private schools, UNRWAs schools, Zaatrai camp schools, and non-formal education centers. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire was used to measure behavioral and emotional problems. Results: About 13.9% of the children had abnormal difficulty scores, and they suffered the most from emotional symptoms (17.9%). Syrian children in refugee camps had the highest rate of total difficulty (19.3%). In the adolescents, 19.7% had high levels of total difficulty, where conduct problems were the most reported (17.6%), and Syrian adolescents in refugee camps were highly affected (22.2%). The number of traumatic events, physical activity, problematic internet use, and family affluence were significantly associated with an increased risk of having behavioral and emotional problems in both the children and adolescents. Conclusions: A significant proportion of children and adolescents struggle with emotional and behavioral problems in Jordan, and serious efforts are needed to enhance the status of mental health for adolescents and children. Full article

Though refugee camps are by definition “temporary”, many camps endure for decades, where individuals live full lives through childhood, marriage, children, grandchildren, and death. These settlements function no differently than cities in their social life, density, zoning, and operation, yet are “planned” through UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) templates for camps. The Zaatari camp in Jordan for Syrian asylum seekers, for example, holds a population of 80,000. Rather than viewing refugee camps as temporary human warehouses, this article demonstrates that camps are spaces where individuals build social networks and economic activities flourish. As such, the camp planning templates should include adaptive Construction 4.0 technologies for more socially flexible settlements, even if the camps are considered “temporary”. This case study research on the Zaatari camp illustrates how refugees adapt their built environment, identifying adaptation patterns that enhance both livability and sustainability. The work illustrates social and environmental changes that require adaptive housing configurations. The conclusion suggests linking modern tools in the construction industry to empirically derived planning objectives to be efficiently executed in moments of crisis. Full article

Objective: The present study explores the cross-cultural validation of neuropsychological assessments and their clinical applications in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), focusing on culturally adapted CBT (CA-CBT) across diverse populations and settings. Methods: Following the PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted in multiple academic databases, including PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science. Keywords related to cognitive behavioral therapy, cultural adaptation, and specific populations were used. The inclusion criteria encompassed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and pilot studies that assessed CA-CBT for various mental health conditions. Results: The review included studies involving Chinese Americans, Latino caregivers, Syrian refugees, Jordanian children, Malaysian Muslims, Afghan refugees, Iraqi women, Japanese children and adolescents, and Tanzanian and Kenyan children. CA-CBT demonstrated significant effectiveness in reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and psychosis. For instance, research has shown that CA-CBT is more effective than standard CBT in reducing depressive symptoms among Chinese Americans and in significantly lowering PTSD symptoms in Syrian refugee women. This method has been well-received and is feasible for use in diverse populations, such as Jordanian children and Afghan refugees. The long-term benefits are promising, with sustained improvements being reported in various studies. Additionally, digital and remote delivery methods have demonstrated potential for expanding the accessibility of CA-CBT. Conclusions: CA-CBT is a valuable and effective intervention for diverse cultural populations, significantly improving mental health outcomes. However, future research must address limitations such as small sample sizes, short follow-up periods, and variability in assessment tools. Future studies should include larger and more diverse sample sizes, longer follow-up periods, rigorous control groups, and comprehensive outcome measures to further validate and enhance the application of CA-CBT across different cultural contexts. Full article

Purpose: To identify and understand the multifaceted barriers faced by Syrian refugees when seeking vaccination services for their children. Methods: A survey questionnaire was administered through structured interviews to a sample of Syrian refugees residing inside the Al-Zaatari camp and in various urban areas across Jordanian communities. This process utilized a multi-stage sampling approach, beginning with a random selection from clusters or strata, and then employing convenience sampling within each to select participants. The survey covered demographics, barriers to vaccination, and vaccine hesitancy. Results: A total of 332 participants completed the survey with a mean age of 32.7 ± 10 years ranging from 18 to 67. More than half of the sample (59%) had an education of 11th grade or less. Sociodemographic disparities regarding barrier perception were evident among participants. Middle-aged adults (older than 32), males, and those with a monthly income less than USD 200 had scored significantly higher on barrier perceptions across all categories (p < 0.05). In-camp residents were less likely to face vaccination barriers compared to those living outside the camps (p < 0.001). Psychological antecedents of vaccine assessments showed that younger individuals had significantly higher scores in complacency, calculation, and constraints (p < 0.05). Participants with lower income had lower constraints and calculation scores (p < 0.05). In-camp residents had significantly higher scores in complacency, constraints, and calculation constructs compared outside camps counterparts (p < 0.05). Participants with no formal education had higher scores in complacency and constraints, and those with less than a 12th-grade education and higher education degrees scored significantly higher on the collective responsibility construct (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Efforts to promote vaccination among refugees should consider the specific challenges faced by this population, including financial barriers, healthcare access inequalities, and the impact of living arrangements. Public health strategies should address not only individual and psychological factors but also the physical and logistical challenges in obtaining vaccines. Full article

Owing to its strategically advantageous geographical position that connects Asia and Europe, Turkey has consistently experienced a high rate of migration throughout its history. Nevertheless, one of the most remarkable and unparalleled migration events unfolded in 2011, triggered by the internal strife in Syria resulting from the Arab Spring. This tumultuous period witnessed an enormous wave of Syrian refugees seeking refuge within Turkey’s borders. Given its contemporary relevance, this migration carries profound implications for the social sustainability of future generations. This study aims to evaluate the contribution of the Uyum Çocuk (Harmonization Child) platform, initiated by the Turkish Ministry of Interior, to promote social cohesion among both native and immigrant children to the advancement of social sustainability. The platform is assessed across various dimensions of social sustainability, including social equality and justice, cultural diversity and freedom of expression, social participation, sustainable urban development, and eco-consumption. The research findings underscore that the platform primarily focuses on enhancing social equality and justice while other dimensions receive comparatively less attention. Considering Turkey’s role as a host country for millions of migrants, this study recommends that public authorities and civil society organizations prioritize initiatives aimed at instilling the principles of social sustainability across all segments of society, with a particular emphasis on children. Full article

Numerous developing countries’ socioeconomic and political issues resulted in a significant migratory phenomenon, which poses a health burden for the nations that receive migrant populations. Often, the greatest age group of migrants is children and teens. Oral problems are one of the most common reasons that immigrants in the receiving nations visit the healthcare system. Cross-sectional research was conducted on children and teenagers housed at the Temporary Stay Center for Immigrants (CETI) of the Autonomous City of Melilla (Spain) with the aim of identifying the state of the oral cavity of these group of migrants. Information on the condition of the research group’s oral cavity was gathered using the World Health Organization’s standards. The research comprised all of the children and teenagers who were enrolled in the CETI for a defined period of time. A total of 198 children were assessed. It was determined that 86.9% of the youngsters were of Syrian descent. There were 57.6% males and a 7.7 (±4.1) average age. The average caries index for children under the age of six was dft =6.4 (±6.3), and for children aged six to eleven, it was 7.5 (±4.8), taking into account both the temporary and permanent dentition, and for children aged twelve to seventeen, it was 4.7 (±4.0). A total of 50.6% of children between the ages of 6 and 11 needed extractions, compared to 36.8% of children under the age of 6. The population under study had a significant incidence of sextants where bleeding occurred during periodontal probing (mean 3.9 (±2.5)), according to an examination of the community periodontal index (CPI). It is crucial to study the oral cavity status of refugee children when designing intervention programs to improve their oral health and provide health education activities that favour the prevention of oral diseases. Full article

A total of 82.4 million persons had emigrated from their countries by the end of 2020 because of global conflicts. A total of 3.6 million settled in Turkey, which became the most refugee-receiving country. Among those resettled in Turkey, the majority were school-aged children, and schools became an inseparable instrument in the adaptation process. Thus, schools play a vital role in creating a safe space for healing; through students, schools also contribute to building solidarity and collective responsibility for the social inclusion of refugees. Schools’ guidance services are key in working with the school’s stakeholders. This study aims to analyze the needs and issues of schools with high refugee density in different parts of Turkey from the school counselors’ perspectives. Using a semistructured interview protocol, we interviewed fifteen school counselors from seven different cities, and three main themes emerged: (a) student-related issues, (b) contextual issues, and (c) response strategies. Findings indicate that refugee-receiving schools need to attend to students and families, as well as deal with conflicts among Syrians and conflicts between Syrians and locals, with limited resources. Full article

This study examined the lived experiences of Syrian refugee child brides to understand their needs as they navigate new social roles after marriage. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Lebanon using SenseMaker^® to collect narratives from married Syrian girls age 13 and older and from their parents. Thematic analysis using inductive coding was performed. Identified themes were organized according to an adaptation of Bronfenbrenner’s socioecological theory of human development to present experiences across all levels of the girls’ interactions and potential influences. Themes at the microsystem level included overwhelming domestic expectations and worry about their own children in the girls’ roles as young mothers. Experiences of intimate partner violence and family conflict were common. At the exosystem level, participants described safety concerns and financial and legal system challenges. The macrosystem level highlighted social expectations around married girls discontinuing education and around separation or divorce. As efforts continue to prevent child marriage within the Syrian crisis and globally, understanding experiences of already married girls is critical to providing support for mitigating harm to child brides. Programs might consider safety planning, parenting supports, access to skills training and education, peer-to-peer social networking, and engaging husbands or families of child brides. Full article

Today, the situation of Syrian refugees is one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. To estimate the prevalence of malnutrition among pediatric populations of Syrian refugees, 176 Syrian refugee children, with stays of more than two years at three refugee camps (Zalhé, Deddeh, and Kfar Jouz) or from the town of Yohmor, Lebanon were authorized by their parents to participate in this study. The children were anthropometrically evaluated and height-for-age Z-score (HAZ), weight-for-age Z-score (WAZ), and weight-for-height (WHZ) Z-scores were obtained and compared with WHO standards. Furthermore, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) was analyzed for screening children 6–59 months old. According to the anthropometric measures, no child met the criteria for chronic, global, acute malnutrition (CGAM), severe acute malnutrition (SAM), or moderate acute malnutrition (MAM). In the total sample, 49.4% of participants were moderately thin, with girls presenting a higher prevalence of thinness than that of boys. Thus, the absence of high rates of malnutrition was verified despite the magnitude of the Syrian refugee’s problem. The data provided by this study identify the need to carry out further research to assess anthropometric growth and nutritional status among long-staying refugee children in order to prevent any health issues that may arise in the future. Full article

Globally, the prevalence of anemia among children during the period of complementary feeding is high. A cross-sectional, mixed-methods study was conducted to examine the main determinants of anemia among Syrian refugee children aged 6 to 23 months (n = 215) and to illuminate the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of their mothers and Lebanese healthcare staff on its causes and available treatment options. 42% of the children and 20% of their mothers were anemic. Determinants of child anemia were the mother having anemia or not knowing that fish/seafood is a source of iron; the child having been acutely ill the last two weeks or receiving cow’s milk, but not consuming iron-rich infant formula, added fats/oils, or fruits in the previous 24 hours. Several Syrian mothers knew some causes of anemia and named dizziness as a leading symptom but did not mention flesh foods as a key source of heme iron. They reported financial constraints in accessing iron-rich foods and supplements. Lebanese doctors largely gave appropriate dietary advice and prescribed iron supplements as treatment. Multisectoral interventions are needed that combine medical and financial support with nutrition counseling for mothers to reduce the high burden of anemia among young children living in a multiple crises situation. Full article

The Twenty-Fourth of February 2022 marked the beginning one of the greatest humanitarian crisis in Europe. Within the first six days of the war, the number of Ukrainian refugees exceeded 4 million, which is more than twice the total number of incomers who arrived in Europe during the Syrian migration throughout 2015. Most of them found themselves in Poland; thus, an urgent need for ad hoc humanitarian and systemic aid arose. To cope with the situation, a number of changes to the Polish law were introduced so as to provide help to the refugees (mainly women and children) from Ukraine. To systematise the changes, the authors of the study analysed the legal acts that had been created or amended for the purposes of providing aid to the refugees staying in Poland. The research study has shown that, in the first days following the war’s outbreak, the measures of key importance were the grassroot initiatives taken by Polish citizens, but as days went by, systemic aid became indispensable. Moreover, non-standard needs had to be handled due to the fact that the refugees were mainly women and children rather than entire families. In conclusion, the war in Ukraine has shown how important it is to have refugee aid procedures at hand and to have a detailed guidance prepared beforehand. Full article