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What do hospital admission data reveal about the health needs of Ukrainian child refugees in Poland?

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background Understanding the healthcare needs of child migrants and war refugees, one of the most affected groups during armed conflicts, is essential for evidence-informed humanitarian response, planning, and preparedness. This study analyzed the evolving health needs of this vulnerable group, as reflected in their hospital care utilization in Poland, to inform future health policies, incl. healthcare organization, disease prevention, and health promotion. Material and methods We used a nationwide hospital discharge database from the National Institute of Public Health NIH-NRI to identify Ukrainian children admitted to Polish hospitals from the outbreak of the war in Ukraine (February 24, 2022) until the end of 2023. Results A total of 5,000 hospital admissions of Ukrainian children were recorded, with 45.3% occurring within the first 100 days of the war. The mean age was 6.2 years (SD = 5.2), median age was 5.0 years and 54.6% were boys. In the first 100 days of the war, the leading causes of hospital admissions were infectious diseases (ICD-10: A00-B99, 25.5%), symptoms and abnormal clinical findings (R00-R99, 15.7%), and respiratory diseases (J00-J99, 14.1%). In the subsequent period, neoplasms (C00-D48, 13.5%) were the most common cause, followed by respiratory diseases (J00-J99, 10.3%) and injuries (S00-T98, 8.8%). Vaccine-preventable diseases accounted for 685 hospitalizations (13.7%), with the most common diagnoses being rotaviral enteritis (49.1%), COVID-19 (24.2%), and influenza (14.5%). 78% of these hospitalizations occurred within the first 100 days of the war. Conclusions As a community of researchers and public health practitioners, we should build on existing networks and partnerships to leverage data collected during hospital stays, which reflect the health needs of child migrants and war refugees in the host country, and collaborate closely with public health institutions at the national, regional, and global levels to transform evidence into action. Key messages • It is essential to address the changing healthcare needs of migrants and war refugees due to the significant humanitarian and public health implications. • The data related to hospitalization can be used as a valuable indicator to assess the health status of migrant and war refugees population and their specific health needs.

Source: European Journal of Public Health

DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckaf161.350