Citation

Anacleta V, Santos C, Luís C, Nunes P, Brito MJ. Acta Med. Port. 2009; 22(6): 743-748.

Vernacular Title

A crianca imigrante num servicode pediatria: que problemas sociais?

Affiliation

Departamento de Pediatria. Hospital Fernando Fonseca. Amadora.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Centro Editor Livreiro da Ordem dos Medicos)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

20350456

Abstract

Background: Hospital Fernando Fonseca is located in a suburban area that houses a great number of immigrants from developing countries. Aims: To characterize and compare the immigrant and portuguese pediatric populations which have been admitted and referred to Social Service department. Material and Methods: Prospective study, from November 2004 to March 2005; demographic and socioeconomic data, diagnosis and social problems were analysed. Results: A total of 35 children were observed, 22 (62,8%) immigrants, 42,9% of them less than 12-months old, with a predominance of female (54,5%), african origin (81,8%) and poor social-economical status (72,3%). The majority of parents (72,7%) came from a Portuguese Speaking African Country and 58,3% were illegal in our country. Most had a family doctor assigned (81,3%). Nineteen (87,5%) were admitted for organic disease and the social problem was detected later: poverty (9), negligence (7), physical aggression (3), abandon (2), psychological abuse (1), sexual abuse (1). Children were referred to Child Protection Committee (5) and Court (1); 6 children received economical support and 5 needed social support. When compared to the Portuguese population, social problems are more frequent in immigrant children (20% vs.7,5%; p =0,001), especially in African origin (81,8% vs.15,4%; p=0,00); low economic status (72,3% vs.55,6%; p =0,423 ), poverty (37,5% vs. 26,6%; p=0,313) and physical aggression (13% vs. 8,3%; p =0,313) were more frequent in the immigrant and negligence being the most frequent social problem in the Portuguese population (33,3% vs. 29%; p =0,313). Discussion: The growing number of immigrants and their social deficiencies raises important questions related to health care and social support for these families, to facilitate their social integration.

Language: pt