Facing the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mixed-Method Analysis of Asylum Seekers’ Experiences and Worries in the Canton of Vaud, Switzerland

Kevin Morisod; Kevin Morisod; Tiffany Martin; Tiffany Martin; Cloé Rawlinson; Cloé Rawlinson; Véronique S. Grazioli; Véronique S. Grazioli; Christian von Plessen; Christian von Plessen; Christian von Plessen; Marie-Anne Durand; Marie-Anne Durand; Marie-Anne Durand; Kevin Selby; Marie-Annick Le Pogam; Nolwenn Bühler; Nolwenn Bühler; Nolwenn Bühler; Patrick Bodenmann; Patrick Bodenmann

doi:10.3389/ijph.2023.1606229

International Journal of Public Health (Sep 2023)

Facing the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mixed-Method Analysis of Asylum Seekers’ Experiences and Worries in the Canton of Vaud, Switzerland

Kevin Morisod,
Kevin Morisod,
Tiffany Martin,
Tiffany Martin,
Cloé Rawlinson,
Cloé Rawlinson,
Véronique S. Grazioli,
Véronique S. Grazioli,
Christian von Plessen,
Christian von Plessen,
Christian von Plessen,
Marie-Anne Durand,
Marie-Anne Durand,
Marie-Anne Durand,
Kevin Selby,
Marie-Annick Le Pogam,
Nolwenn Bühler,
Nolwenn Bühler,
Nolwenn Bühler,
Patrick Bodenmann,
Patrick Bodenmann

Affiliations

Kevin Morisod: Department of Vulnerabilities and Social Medicine, University Center of General Medicine and Public Health, Lausanne, Switzerland
Kevin Morisod: Chair of Medicine for Vulnerable Populations, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
Tiffany Martin: Department of Vulnerabilities and Social Medicine, University Center of General Medicine and Public Health, Lausanne, Switzerland
Tiffany Martin: Department of Epidemiology and Health Systems, Center for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), Lausanne, Switzerland
Cloé Rawlinson: Department of Vulnerabilities and Social Medicine, University Center of General Medicine and Public Health, Lausanne, Switzerland
Cloé Rawlinson: Department of Epidemiology and Health Systems, Center for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), Lausanne, Switzerland
Véronique S. Grazioli: Department of Vulnerabilities and Social Medicine, University Center of General Medicine and Public Health, Lausanne, Switzerland
Véronique S. Grazioli: Chair of Medicine for Vulnerable Populations, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
Christian von Plessen: Department of Ambulatory Care, Center for Primary Care and Public Health, University Center of General Medicine and Public Health, Lausanne, Switzerland
Christian von Plessen: Direction Générale de la Santé (DGS), Lausanne, Switzerland
Christian von Plessen: Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
Marie-Anne Durand: UMR1295 Centre d’Epidémiologie et de Recherche en Santé des Populations (CERPOP), Toulouse, France
Marie-Anne Durand: University Center of General Medicine and Public Health, Lausanne, Switzerland
Marie-Anne Durand: The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Dartmouth College, Lebanon, NH, United States
Kevin Selby: Department of Ambulatory Care, Center for Primary Care and Public Health, University Center of General Medicine and Public Health, Lausanne, Switzerland
Marie-Annick Le Pogam: Department of Epidemiology and Health Systems, Center for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), Lausanne, Switzerland
Nolwenn Bühler: Department of Vulnerabilities and Social Medicine, University Center of General Medicine and Public Health, Lausanne, Switzerland
Nolwenn Bühler: Department of Epidemiology and Health Systems, Center for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), Lausanne, Switzerland
Nolwenn Bühler: 0Institute of Social Sciences, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
Patrick Bodenmann: Department of Vulnerabilities and Social Medicine, University Center of General Medicine and Public Health, Lausanne, Switzerland
Patrick Bodenmann: Chair of Medicine for Vulnerable Populations, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/ijph.2023.1606229
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 68

Abstract

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Objectives: The clinical and social burden of the COVID-19 pandemic were high among asylum seekers (ASs). We aimed to understand better ASs’ experiences of the pandemic and their sources of worries.Methods: Participants (n = 203) completed a survey about their worries, sleep disorders, and fear of dying. We also conducted semi-structured interviews with ASs living in a community center (n = 15), focusing on how social and living conditions affected their experiences and worries.Results: ASs in community centers experienced more sleep disorders related to the COVID-19 pandemic than those living in private apartments (aOR 2.01, p = 0.045). Similarly, those with lower education had greater fear for their life due to the COVID-19 pandemic (aOR 2.31, p = 0.015). Qualitative findings showed that sharing living spaces was an important source of worries for ASs and that protective measures were perceived to increase social isolation.Conclusion: Our study highlighted the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic for ASs and the importance of tailoring public health measures to their needs and living conditions.

Published in International Journal of Public Health

ISSN: 1661-8556 (Print); 1661-8564 (Online)
Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Medicine: Public aspects of medicine
Website: https://www.ssph-journal.org/journals/international-journal-of-public-health

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