Abstract
Abstract
Background
Forced repatriation of Afghan refugees from Pakistan constitutes a significant public health challenge, unfolding within a fragile health system. Returnees face a dual burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases, yet evidence on how health risks evolve across the migration trajectory is limited.
Methods
A cross-sectional prospective study was conducted at the Omari Camp in eastern Afghanistan. Face-to-face interviews and basic clinical assessments were conducted among 144 recently returned Afghan returnees at the Omari Camp. Data on disease prevalence and healthcare access were analyzed across three temporal phases: pre-migration, during migration, and post-migration. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and disease prevalence was summarized as proportions.
Results
The sample was predominantly female (58%), with most returns (85%) being forced. A significant proportion (39%) had resided in Pakistan for over 40 years. The pre-migration phase revealed a high burden of both communicable (e.g., tuberculosis, hepatitis B) and non-communicable diseases (e.g., diabetes, hypertension), alongside mental health disorders. Vaccination coverage in Pakistan was suboptimal, with 10% of women and 8% of men reporting no vaccinations. The migration phase was marked by acute morbidity, with participants reporting symptoms such as fatigue, cough, and diarrhea. Post-migration, environmental stressors contributed to new respiratory infections (6% males, 5% females) and diarrheal infections (4% males, 3% females), while pre-existing chronic conditions persisted.
Conclusion
The health status of Afghan returnees is characterized by cumulative risks across the migration continuum. Findings highlight the critical need for integrated, phase-specific health interventions that address chronic non-communicable diseases and mental health alongside acute infectious risks.