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…

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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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.

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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Health for all migrants in Latin America and the Caribbean
Author/s: Cabieses B, Bernales M, van der Laat C
Latin America and the Caribbean has faced inconsistent human rights and health protection for migrants in the past, just as much as other regions. For example, in Chile, about 70% of immigrants come from other Latin America and the Caribbean countries (representing 2·7% of the total population of Chile), and a third of them are estimated to be undocumented or socioeconomically vulnerable. These migrants tend to work in informal jobs and to live in poor quality, overcrowded buildings.…
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Health of men, women, and children in post-trafficking services in Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam: an observational cross-sectional study
Author/s: Kiss L, Pocock NS, Naisanguansri V, Suos S, Dickson B, Thuy D, Koehler J, Sirisup K, Pongrungsee N, Nguyen VA, Borland R, Dhavan P, Zimmerman C
Summary
Background: Trafficking is a crime of global proportions involving extreme forms of exploitation and abuse. Yet little research has been done of the health risks and morbidity patterns for men, women, and children trafficked for various forms of forced labour.
Methods: We carried out face-to-face interviews with a consecutive sample of individuals entering 15 post-trafficking services in Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam. We asked participants about living and working…
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Common mental disorders among adult members of ‘left-behind’ international migrant worker families in Sri Lanka
Author/s: Chesmal Siriwardhana, Kolitha Wickramage, Sisira Siribaddana, Puwalani Vidanapathiran, Buddhini Jayasekara, Sulochana Weerawarna, Gayani Pannala, AnushkaAdikar, Kaushalya Jayaweera, Sharika Pieris, Athula Sumathipala
Abstract: