Injuries of adult asylum seekers in Finland: results of the 2018 TERTTU-health and well-being survey

Abstract Background Injuries in refugees and asylum seekers result of accidents, violence or most extremely torture. Research in Finland has shown that many refugees experienced major traumatic events in their former home country, incl. permanent injuries. Our study provides new evidence on asylum seekers, a scarcely studied group. Methods Data was collected by structured face-to-face interviews. Healthcare staff asked adult participants if they had a bodily injury or scar. If yes, they pointed the location on a pictogram. Interviewers inquired if the injury was accidental or result of violence and if it happened before or during the fleeing trip. Injuries were classified as head (incl. brain) injuries, injuries of torso/extremities or other body areas. Results About half (47, 2 %) of 779 adults reported injuries, men more often than women (55,1 % vs. 35,3 %). Frequency was highest in 18-29-year olds. Close to all respondents (94 %) sustained injuries prior to their journey. Over one in five attributed injuries to accident (men 27 %, women 16 %). 16,6 % reported the torso/extremities as injury location, while 9,4 % had head injuries. Violence was cause of injury in over one fourth of cases (28 %). Every third male and every fifth female were violence victims, with no significant age difference. In both genders odds of violence exposure was highest in asylum seekers from sub-Saharan Africa - over 50 % attributed injury to violence. Violence victims had injuries of torso/extremities in 20,5%, and of the head in 15,3%. Head injuries were more frequent in > 40 year-old violence victims of both genders. Conclusions Injuries are common among adult asylum seekers in Finland. Prevalence of violence induced injury, especially in sub-Saharan Africans, is alarming. Training in violence victims’ management is required for professionals receiving asylum seekers. Information on injury severity and functional ability is needed for full impact assessment and service planning (incl. rehabilitation). Key messages Injuries are common among adult asylum seekers and often a result of violence, thus requiring of receiving services’ professionals skills and knowledge in violence victims’ management. Health examination protocols of asylum seekers should include injury severity assessment and impact on functional ability.