Health of children who experienced Australian immigration detention.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Australian immigration policy resulted in large numbers of children being held in locked detention. We examined the physical and mental health of children and families who experienced immigration detention.

Methods

Retrospective audit of medical records of children exposed to immigration detention attending the Royal Children's Hospital Immigrant Health Service, Melbourne, Australia, from January 2012 -December 2021. We extracted data on demographics, detention duration and location, symptoms, physical and mental health diagnoses and care provided.

Results

277 children had directly (n = 239) or indirectly via parents (n = 38) experienced locked detention, including 79 children in families detained on Nauru or Manus Island. Of 239 detained children, 31 were

SUBMITTER: Tosif S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9997934 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature