Publications Search
This publications portal is a repository of all IOM migration health publications from 2006 to present where IOM was a primary contributor.
Publications include peer-reviewed scientific papers, technical reports, training guides/manuals, policy briefs/discussion papers, factsheets, newsletters, research reviews, conference and poster presentations. These are categorized by topic, author, country/region covered as well as by year, language, and type of publication. The map reflects the countries covered by the publications.
To browse or search: simply use the filter options on the left-hand side. Alternatively, you can enter keyword/s in the search box. Selecting a specific publication will lead to a ‘download’ link or link to the website where the document is housed. Here is the step-by-step guide for your reference.
Is being a 'left-behind' child associated with an increased risk of self-poisoning in adulthood? Findings from a case–control study in Sri Lanka
Author/s: Duleeka Knipe, Paul Moran, Laura D Howe, Piumee Bandara, Kolitha Wickramage, David Gunnell, Thilini Rajapakse
Abstract
Purpose The long-term consequences of parental emigration on offspring self-harm risk is unknown.
Methods We investigated the association between experiencing parental emigration in childhood with hospital presentations for self-poisoning in adulthood using a hospital case–control study. Cases were adult self-poisoning patients (≥18-year-olds) admitted to the medical toxicology ward Teaching Hospital…
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Are left-behind families of migrant workers at increased risk of attempted suicide? – a cohort study of 178,000+ individuals in Sri Lanka
Author/s: Duleeka Knipe, Helen Lambert, Melissa Pearson, Michael Eddleston, Shaluka Jayamanne, Kolitha Wickramage, Keith Hawton, Flemming Konradsen, Chris Metcalfe, David Gunnell
Background: There are an estimated 258 million international migrants worldwide. In Asia low-skilled workers often emigrate on a temporary basis (2–3 years) without their families. There is significant concern over the mental health and wellbeing of left-behind families in this region. No previous study has examined whether the risk of suicidal behaviour is elevated in left-behind family members.
Methods: Cohort study using…
Research on the Health Vulnerabilities of the Cross Border Migrants from Nepal
Author/s: IOM
Reliable information on the health vulnerabilities and resilience factors of cross-border migrants and associated possible preventive measures is lacking. To remedy this gap and thereby facilitate the development of evidence-informed policy and programme development, this study was undertaken to assess the health vulnerabilities of Nepali migrants to India.
Psychological morbidity in Nepali cross-border migrants in India: a community based cross-sectional study
Author/s: Dhungana RR, Aryal N, Adhikary P, Kc RK, Regmi PR, Devkota B, Sharma GN, Wickramage K, van Teijlingen E, Simkhada P
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Since Nepali cross-border migrants can freely enter, work and stay in India, they are largely undocumented. The majority is involved in semi-skilled or unskilled jobs with limited labour rights and social security, a fact which predisposes them to psychological distress. We aimed to assess the prevalence of and factors associated with psychological morbidity among Nepali migrants upon their return from India.
METHODS: A community-based cross-…
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The need for an evidence-informed, multi-sectoral and community participatory action framework to address the practice of female genital mutilation in Sri Lanka
Author/s: Kolitha Wickramage, L. Senanayake, N. Mapitigama, J. Karunasinghe, E. Teagal
Background: Female genital mutilation or cutting comprises all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the female external genitalia and or injury to the female genital organs. The practice is most common in 30 countries in the Western, Eastern, and North-eastern regions of Africa, and in selected countries the Middle East and Asia. With increased migration from such countries, health professionals in destination countries. are confronted with the challenge of caring for women…
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Health status of returning refugees, internally displaced persons, and the host community in a post-conflict district in northern Sri Lanka: a cross-sectional survey
Author/s: Rachel Burns, Kolitha Wickramage, Anwar Musah, Chesmal Siriwardhana, Francesco Checchi
Abstract
Background Although the adverse impacts of conflict-driven displacement on health are well-documented, less is known about how health status and associated risk factors differ according to displacement experience. This study quantifies health status and quality of life among returning refugees, internally displaced persons, and the host community in a post-conflict district in Northern Sri Lanka, and explores associated risk factors.
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Reflections on migrant and refugee health in Malaysia and the ASEAN region
Author/s: Nicola Pocock, Rapeepong Suphanchaimat, Chee Khoon Chan, Erwin Martinez Faller, Nicholas Harrigan, Veena Pillai, Kolitha Wickramage
Migrants and refugees face challenges accessing both healthcare and good social determinants of health in Malaysia. Participants at the “Migrant and Refugee Health in Malaysia workshop, Kuala Lumpur, 9-10 November 2017” scoped these challenges within the regional ASEAN context, identifying gaps in knowledge and practical steps forward to improve the evidence base in the Malaysia.
Migration Health Research to advance evidence based policy and practice in Sri Lanka
Author/s: IOM
Despite the growing recognition of the importance that migration health plays in advancing global health and sustainable development goals, there is a paucity of technical guidance and “lessons learned” documents to guide Member States, international organizations, academia, civil society and other stakeholders seeking to develop effective migration health policies and interventions using evidence-based approaches. Governments today are faced with the challenge of…
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Mental distress and potentially modifiable social factors in post-conflict Sri Lanka
Author/s: Chesmal Siriwardhana, Kolitha Wickramage
The number of people affected by protracted conflicts is surging, especially in North Africa, the Middle East, and eastern Europe, leading to large-scale population displacements. Conflict-related violence and displacement have a direct association with mental health problems.For example, in Sri Lanka—a country emerging from three decades of civil conflict—populations are showing substantial negative mental health consequences of conflict, such as depression,…
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Mental health of migrants in low-skilled work and the families they leave behind
Author/s: Kolitha Wickramage, Chesmal Siriwardhana
Migration is rapidly reshaping the world. Low-skilled labour migration, in particular, is driven by disparities in income, wealth, and work opportunities. Labour migrants are increasingly flowing among low-income and middle-income nations in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.1 Migrant workers and the family members they leave behind number about 193 million,1 of whom 52–100 million people are domestic workers in low-skilled, so-called difficult, degrading, and dangerous…
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