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.

Airport Entry and Exit Screening during the Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak in Sierra Leone, 2014 to 2016
Author/s: Kolitha Wickramage
We present entry and exit screening outcomes on all persons passing through Freetown International Airport (FNA) in Sierra Leone during the period 1st September 2014 to 4th February 2016. A total of 166,242 persons underwent screening for Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) at FNA. Five persons were denied air travel from Sierra Leone after secondary screening. Laboratory testing revealed none were positive for EVD. No cases were identified through entry screening route. The public health value of…
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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…

World Migration Report 2020: Chapter 7 - Migration and Health: Current Issues, Governance and Knowledge Gaps
Author/s: Jo Vearey, Charles Hui, Kolitha Wickramage
There is a dynamic and complex relationship between migration and health. Migration can lead to greater exposure to health risks, such as those migrant workers working in conditions of precarious employment with limited access to affordable health care. Migration can also be linked to improved health – for instance, after moving from a context of persecution and fear of violence to a safe environment. This chapter examines the four key aspects of migration and health: (a) the health of…
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Children and adolescents on the move: what does the Global Compact for Migration mean for their health?
Author/s: Delan Devakumar, Neal Russell, Lisa Murphy, Kolitha Wickramage, Susan Sawyer, Ibrahim Abubakar

Improving the health of migrants
Author/s: Kolitha Wickramage, Paul J Simpson, Kamran Abbasi
The editorial piece tackles how anti-migrant rhetoric among politicians and media as well as the lack of or weak policy frameworks focusing on the healthcare access and coverage of labour migrants, internally displaced populations, and internal migrants contribute to the gaps in addressing the health needs of migrants and migrant populations. It notes that addressing these gaps remain to be a challenge among policymakers, practitioners, civil society, and researchers to ensure that migration…
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The Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration: adoption and implementation (in Health Diplomacy: Spotlight on refugees and migrants)
Author/s: Dominik Zenner, Poonam Dhavan, Kolitha Wickramage, Eliana Barragan, Jacqueline Weekers
The Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) has been adopted by the majority of UN Member States in 2018. This book chapter outlines the elements that were proposed by IOM, WHO, other UN agencies, and Member States for inclusion in the GCM to ensure that migration health is addressed. The inclusion of these commitments is a significant step forward to promote migrant health, with health-related commitments and actions featured throughout the GCM.

World Migration Report 2020: Chapter 7 Migration and Health: Current Issues, Governance and Knowledge Gaps (Spanish)
Author/s: Jo Vearey, Charles Hui, Kolitha Wickramage
There is a dynamic and complex relationship between migration and health. Migration can lead to greater exposure to health risks, such as those migrant workers working in conditions of precarious employment with limited access to affordable health care. Migration can also be linked to improved health – for instance, after moving from a context of persecution and fear of violence to a safe environment. This chapter examines the four key aspects of migration and health: (a) the health of…
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Migration, Displacement and Health. In: Carrie D. Llewellyn et al. (eds.) Cambridge Handbook of Psychology, Health and Medicine (Third Edition)
Author/s: Chesmal Siriwardhana, Kolitha Wickramage
The article describes the diverse and complex health needs of displaced populations which require contextually and culturally adaptable management strategies. Provision of health services for these populations should be firmly considered as an essential human rights issue and require strategic alliances with existing public health systems where possible.

Addressing female genital mutilation in the Asia Pacific: the neglected sustainable development target
Author/s: Angela Dawson, Abdul Rashid, Rashidah Shuib, Kolitha Wickramage, Meiwita Budiharsana, Irwan Martua Hidayana, Gabriele Marranci
While much work has focused on advocacy and prevention efforts in countries of high prevalence in Africa and diaspora in Europe, there has been a paucity of discussion on FGM in the Asia‐Pacific region. FGM is practised in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, the Philippines and Indonesia; however, none of these countries are supported by the UNFPA‐UNICEF Joint Programme on the Abandonment of FGM. Australia and New Zealand are also…
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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…