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.

‘We have similar sad stories’: A life history analysis of left-behind children in Cambodian residential care
Author/s: Yao Fu, Lucy P. Jordan, Iris Hoiting, Thida Kim, Kolitha Wickramage
Globally, labor migration of parents has resulted in a growing number of children and adolescents being left behind in the areas from where migrants depart. In many countries a single parent or grandparents often act as children’s primary caregivers when parents migrate, while residential care has been found to an emergent caregiving arrangement for left-behind children in Cambodia. This phenomenon raises the questions: 1) how parental migration and other contextual factors contribute to…
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Migration Health Research Bulletin, Issue No. 23
Author/s: IOM
The issue of the Bulletin features studies and reports on topics relevant to migration and health such as COVID-19, tuberculosis, kidney disease, and reproductive health.
The audio podcast episode outlines the key findings on the health and social impact migration has on left-behind children and their caregivers in migrant households in Cambodia.

When husband migrate: effects of international migration of husbands on fetal outcomes, body mass index and gestational weight of female spouses that stay behind
Author/s: Renuka Jayatissa, Kolitha Wickramage, Buddhini Herath Denuwara, Himali Herath, Ranbanda Jayawardana, Amila Gayan Perera, Nawamali De Alwis
Abstract
Background
International labour migration continues to be an integral component in Sri Lanka’s economic development. Previous research indicates an adverse perinatal outcome in association with low maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (PBMI) and gestational weight gain (GWG). However, evidence of this association is limited in migrant families. This study aims to investigate the associations between PBMI, GWG among lactating mothers (LM), and fetal outcomes…

Migration Health Research Bulletin, Issue No. 20
Author/s: IOM
This issue of the Bulletin features research articles, reports, and commentary pieces on relevant migration health topics such as reproductive health, mental health, and COVID-19 in the context of mobility.
The audio podcast episode focuses on women refugees’ access to maternal health services in Kenya.

Migration Health Research Bulletin, Issue No. 19
Author/s: IOM
This issue of the Bulletin features peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, reports, and commentaries focusing on some of IOM’s migration health programmes such as mental health and psychosocial support, vaccination, tuberculosis screening, and public health emergency management.
Two interviews are included in the current episode of the audio podcast: one on the vaccination programme for US-bound refugees globally and the other on migration health governance in Africa.

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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Psychosocial and mental health impacts of migration on ‘left-behind’ children of international migrant workers. In: Dinesh Bhugra (ed) Oxford Textbook of Migrant Psychiatry
Author/s: Michaella Vanore, Kolitha Prabhash Wickramage, Delanjathan Devakumar, Lucy P. Jordan
Global migration flows include large numbers of labour migrants, many of whom are of prime child-bearing/rearing age and have children who must remain in the origin country during the migration episode. The psychosocial and mental health (PSMH) needs of children and other family members who are separated from migrant kin can be extremely complex and have been largely neglected in research and in intervention frameworks. This chapter explores the PSMH of children who remain in the origin…
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The Health of Migrant Workers and Left-Behind Families (Bosnian-Croatian-Serbian)
Author/s: IOM
This information sheet discussed the determinants of heath of migrant workers and left-behind families and IOM's approach when dealing with labour migration and health.

The Health of Migrant Workers and Left-Behind Families (Russian)
Author/s: IOM
This information sheet discussed the determinants of heath of migrant workers and left-behind families and IOM's approach when dealing with labour migration and health.

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…