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.

Health system considerations related to voluntary and forced displacement in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: a critical analysis of the available literature
Author/s: Eman Sharara, Chaza Akik, Michela Martini, Jocelyn DeJong
Abstract
Background: The WHO Region for the Eastern Mediterranean has had a history of complex migration patterns, with
high levels of migration to, from, and within the Region, overlaid by massive recent forced displacement. Relatively little
is known about the health system response to this large-scale mobility.
Aims: To review the literature on the Region critically, identify gaps, and suggest areas needing research and policy attention.
…
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Migrants in the Middle East and North Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic
Author/s: Kolitha Wickramage, Chiaki Ito, Mahmoud Hilali, Sally Hargreaves, Ana Requena-Méndez, on behalf of the Migrant Health MENA working group
As COVID-19 vaccine roll-out begins in the MENA region, ensuring migrant populations have equitable access to the vaccine, designing innovative and specific mechanisms for vaccine roll-out in these areas, and monitoring vaccine uptake in migrant groups are now imminent challenges.

Understanding health inequities among transiting migrants within the Middle East and North African (MENA) region through strengthening data systems
Author/s: Ana Requena-Méndez, Kolitha Wickramage, Chiaki Ito, Bouchra Assarag, Mahmoud Hilali, Anna Deal, Sara Arias, Dominik Zenner, Wafa Chemao-Elfihri, Sally Hargreaves, the Migrant Health MENA Working Group
The editorial argues that failure to integrate migration variables within the health information systems in many countries in the MENA region means that, to date, there has been an absence of comprehensive and disaggregated epidemiological data on infectious disease prevalence (including COVID-19), outbreaks, and vaccine coverage, making it difficult to map health disparities and inform evidence-based policy and service delivery.

A rapid review of immunisation coverage, vaccine delivery and migration in North Africa amongst migrant populations (PROSPERO 2021 CRD42021256369)
Author/s: Anna Deal, Sara Arias, Sally Hargreaves, Ana Requena, Mahmoud Hilali, Wafa Chemao, Bouchra Assarag, Ouahchi Hamdouni Anissa, Habib Ghédira, Kolitha Wickramage, Kaisa Kontunen, Janice Lopez, Chiaki Ito, Jannet Bahri, Dominik Zenner
In this systematic review we are trying to answer these specific questions: What is the immunisation coverage among migrant populations in North Africa for key vaccines, and are there variations among migrant subpopulations? Where and by who are vaccines administered to migrant populations? What are the key delivery mechanisms (IOM, NGOs, government structures)? What are the barriers and facilitators to migrant populations accessing vaccines in this region? What is the quality and quantity…
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Tools to implement the WHO End TB Strategy: Addressing common challenges in high and low endemic countries
Author/s: Seif Al Abri, Thereza Kasaeva, Giovanni-Batista Migliori, Delia Goletti, Dominik Zenner, Justin Denholm, Amal Al Maani, Daniela Maria Cirillo, Thomas Schön, Troels Lillebæk, Amina Al-Jardani, Un-Yeong GO, Hannah Monica Dias, Simon Tiberi, Fatma Al Yaquobi, Faryal Ali Khamis, Padmamohan Kurup, Michael Wilson, Ziad Memish, Ali Al Maqbali, Muhammad Akhtar, Christian Wejse, Eskild Petersen
Aim
The purpose of this viewpoint is to summarize the advantages and constraints of the tools and strategies available for reducing the annual incidence of TB by implementing the WHO End TB Strategy and the linked WHO TB Elimination Framework with special reference to Oman.
Methods
The case-study was built based on the presentations and discussions at an international workshop on TB elimination in low incidence countries organized by the Ministry of…

Health profile of adult special immigrant visa holders arriving from Iraq and Afghanistan to the United States, 2009–2017: A cross-sectional analysis
Author/s: Gayathri S. Kumar, Simone S. Wien, Christina R. Phares, Walid Slim, Heather M. Burke, Emily S. Jentes
Abstract
Background
Between 2,000 and 19,000 Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders (SIVH) from Iraq and Afghanistan resettle in the United States annually. Despite the increase in SIV admissions to the US over recent years, little is known about the health conditions in SIV populations. We assessed the burden of select communicable and noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in SIV adults to guide recommendations to clinicians in the US.
Methods and…
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Health profile of pediatric Special Immigrant Visa holders arriving from Iraq and Afghanistan to the United States, 2009–2017: A cross-sectional analysis
Author/s: Simone S. Wien, Gayathri S. Kumar, Oleg O. Bilukha, Walid Slim, Heather M. Burke, Emily S. Jentes
Abstract
Background
The United States has admitted over 80,000 Special Immigrant Visa holders (SIVH), which include children. Despite the increase in the proportion of SIVH admissions to the US over recent years, little is known about health conditions in SIV children. We report the frequency of selected diseases identified overseas and assess differences in selected conditions between SIV children from Iraq and Afghanistan.
Methods and…
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An evaluation of a tuberculosis case-finding and treatment program among Syrian refugees—Jordan and Lebanon, 2013–2015
Author/s: Andrew T. Boyd, Susan T. Cookson, Ibrahim Almashayek, Hiam Yaacoub, M. Saiful Qayyum, and Aleksandar Galev
Abstract
Background: The displacement crisis in Syria poses challenges for tuberculosis (TB) control across the region. Since 2012 in Jordan and 2013 in Lebanon, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has supported the National TB Program (NTP) in detecting and treating TB among Syrian refugees. In December 2016, IOM asked US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) staff to evaluate its program of support to Jordan and Lebanon’s NTPs for TB control among…
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Nutritional profile of Syrian refugee children before resettlement
Author/s: Sweetmavourneen Pernitez-Agan, Kolitha Wickramage, Catherine Yen, Elizabeth Dawson-Hahn, Tarissa Mitchell and Dominik Zenner
Abstract
Background
The year 2015 marked the highest number of refugees globally and included record numbers of Syrians moving to neighboring countries. Half of the Syrians were children aged ≤18 years. Our study sought to examine undernutrition and overnutrition among a group of Syrian refugee children who underwent medical screening by IOM for resettlement.
Methods
This is a retrospective review of Syrian refugee children aged 6 to 59 months from January 1…

Building responsive health systems to help communities affected by migration: An International delphi consensus
Author/s: Kevin Pottie, Charles Hui, Prinon Rahman, David Ingleby, Elie Akl, Grant Russell, Li Ling, Kolitha Wickramage, Davide Mosca, Claire Brindis
Abstract:
- Persons affected by migration require health systems that are responsive and adaptable to the needs of both disadvantaged migrants and non-migrant populations.
- The objective of this study is to support health systems for populations affected by migration.
- Materials and Methods: An international Delphi consensus process was used to identify policy approaches to improve health systems for…