Aims: To determine the health needs of refugees in the Porirua region. To develop options for health promotion for refugees in the Porirua region.
Methods: Twelve families were interviewed (eight Cambodian and four Vietnamese) representing 68 individuals. Questions were asked of health and other needs, health service utilisation and barriers to health care, particularly language. Additionally, eight key informant interviews were conducted.
Results: Families reported 26 out of 68 individuals (38%) as suffering from poor health; asthma, hepatitis B and treated tuberculosis being the three most common conditions. Open questions elicited many vague somatic complaints that may overlay psychiatric morbidity or stress. Health service utilisation was as high, or higher, than a comparable needs assessment in the Porirua region of a population based random household sample in 1993/4. Only six of the 27 refugees (22%) aged 16 or over, by their judgement, considered themselves competent enough in English to communicate independently with a general practitioner or other service provider. This is despite a mean length of residence in New Zealand of four years. Key informant interviews suggested undiagnosed psychiatric morbidity and problems accessing interpreting services, particularly in primary care.
Conclusions: The major unmet health need for this group of refugees is interpreting services. Mental health needs are strongly suspected. The health promotion priority is provision of adequate interpreting services. The new Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers' Rights legally enforces the right to a competent interpreter.