Asylum seekers’ and nurses’ representations of asylum seekers’ health in Switzerland: the importance of health’s social dimension

Author(s) : M. Laurent, M. Santiago-Delefosse

Source : https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/cky048.082

Abstract:

“The Swiss health landscape has been changing for a few decades with the arrival of asylum seekers, involving new challenges. In this context, an understanding of the differences between how asylum seekers themselves and nurses view the health of asylum seekers is necessary for optimal health care. As part of a doctoral thesis in critical and community health psychology, this poster aims to highlight and compare asylum seekers’ and nurses’ representations of asylum seekers’ health. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with thirteen asylum seekers and seven front-line nurses. Data were analysed using thematic analysis (assisted by QSR NVivo software) and textual analysis (assisted by Iramuteq software). Preliminary results show the importance of health’s social dimension for both groups. Asylum seekers constantly invoked their life context in Switzerland: the asylum procedure, work or unemployment, accommodation, relationships with local people.”