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.

Patterns of abuse amongst Sri Lankan women returning home after working as domestic maids in the Middle East: An exploratory study of medico-legal referrals
Author/s: Kolitha Wickramage, Malintha De Silva, Sharika Peiris
Abstract
Objective: Migrant worker abuse is well recognised, but poorly characterised within the scientific literature. This study aimed to explore patterns of abuse amongst Sri Lankan women returning home after working as domestic maids.
Methods: Sri Lanka has over 2 million of its citizens employed overseas as international labor migrants. A cross-sectional study was conducted on Sri Lankan female…

Is Sri Lanka prepared for yellow fever outbreaks? A case study
Author/s: Kolitha Wickramage, Suneth B Agampodi, Davide Mosca, Sharika Peiris

Health issues affecting female internal migrant workers: A systematic review
Author/s: Upul Senarath, Kolitha Wickramage, Sharika Peiris
Abstract
- Background: Economic contribution by internal migrant workers, in particular the workers in Export Processing Zones (EPZ) in Sri Lanka, is well recognized, yet the social and health consequences are unknown.
- Objective: To systematically review the health issues affecting female internal migrant workers in EPZ in Sri Lanka
- Methods: A literature review was conducted through…

IOM-MPI Issue in Brief No. 14 - Promoting the health of left-behind children of Asian labour migrants: Evidence for policy and action
Author/s: Kolitha Wickramage, Chesmal Siriwardhana, Sharika Peiris
International labor migration has become a vital component in not only driving economic development for many Asian countries, but also in transforming traditional roles of parenting and caregiving practices for millions of children of migrant workers. While remittances, consistently sent home by migrant workers, are one of the highest sources of foreign exchange earnings for many countries, labor migration can also at times create a negative influence on health, break down…
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Risk of mental health and nutritional problems for left-behind children of international labor migrants
Author/s: Kolitha Wickramage, Chesmal Siriwardhana, Puwalani Vidanapathiran, Sulochana Weerawarna, Buddhini Jayasekara, Gayani Pannala, Anushka Adikari, Kaushalya Jayaweera, Sharika Peiris, Sisira Siribaddana, Athula Sumathipala
Abstract
Background: One-in-ten Sri Lankans are employed abroad as International Labor Migrants (ILM), mainly as domestic maids or low-skilled laborers. Little is known about the impact their migration has on the health status of the children they ‘leave behind’. This national study explored associations between the health status of ‘left-behind’ children of ILM’s with those from comparative non-migrant families.

Prevalence of depression and its associated factors among patients attending primary care settings in the post-conflict Northern Province in Sri Lanka: a cross-sectional study
Author/s: Upul Senarath, Kolitha Wickramage, Sharika Peiris

High attack rate for malaria through irregular migration routes to a country on verge of elimination
Author/s: Kolitha Wickramage, Risintha Premaratne, Sharika Peiris, Davide Mosca
Abstract Irregular migration in the form of human smuggling and human trafficking is recognized as a global public health issue. Thirty-two cases of Plasmodium falciparum were detected in 534 irregular migrants returning to Sri Lanka via failed human smuggling routes from West Africa in 2012, contributing to the largest burden of imported cases in Sri Lanka as it entered elimination phase. Beyond the criminality and human rights abuse, irregular migration plays an…
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Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis in a foreign resident visa holder and implications of a growing inbound migrant flow to Sri Lanka
Author/s: Kolitha Wickramage, S Samaraweera, Sharika Peiris, J Elvitigala, ATND Patabendige
Abstract We present a case of an international labour migrant worker from India who acquired multiple-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) as a result of poor treatment compliance throughout his work and travel history. The travel to Sri Lanka was made under the resident visa scheme. Currently there are no mandatory health assessment requirements for inbound migrants such as resident visa holders to Sri Lanka. The diagnosis of MDR-TB was made at a district level chest…
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“Don’t forget the migrants”: Exploring preparedness and response strategies to combat the potential spread of MERS-CoV virus through migrant workers in Sri Lanka
Author/s: Kolitha Wickramage, Sharika Peiris, Suneth Agampodi