Abstract
AimThis study examines 3 years of child and adolescent health data from Australian onshore and offshore immigration detention centres from 2014 to 2017, quantifying the health presentation data of children and adolescents in Australian immigration detention and comparing rates between onshore and offshore detention.MethodsThis study utilised the Quarterly Immigration Detention Health Reports over a period of 3 years. To compare onshore and offshore datasets, we calculated the rate of health events per quarter against the estimated quarterly onshore and offshore detention population of children. We ran a series of two‐proportion z‐tests for each matched quarter to calculate median z and P values for all quarters. These were used as an indicator as to whether the observed differences between onshore and offshore events were statistically significant.ResultsThe estimated number of children detained per quarter onshore ranged from 700 in 2014 (quarter 3) to 13 in 2016 (quarters 3 and 4); the estimated quarterly population of children in offshore detention ranged from 186 in 2014 (quarter 3) to 42 in 2017 (quarter 2). Children offshore had significantly higher rates of consultations with a mental health nurse (z = −1.96; P = 0.002), psychologist (z = −2.32; P = 0.01) and counsellor (z = −3.41; P < 0.001). As for reasons for presentation to general practitioners and psychiatrists, complaints related to skin (z = −1.97; P = 0.05), respiratory issues (z = −1.96; P = 0.05) and urological issues (z = −2.21; P = 0.03) were significantly higher amongst children detained offshore.ConclusionsCompared to children in the Australian community, children detained both onshore and offshore had greater health needs. Children offshore also presented more frequently with a range of complaints and accessed health services at higher rates than children detained onshore; this adds to growing evidence about the harms of offshore detention and detention more generally.
Highlights
Australia has maintained a policy of mandatory immigration detention for almost three decades
Australian immigration detention has a devastating impact on the health of children who are detained
Growing evidence suggests that offshore detention has a far greater impact on health and wellbeing than onshore detention
Summary
Australia has maintained a policy of mandatory immigration detention for almost three decades. While Australia has maintained centres on the mainland[1] for over three decades, over the last eight years, concerns about the detention of children have become increasingly pressing as Australia re-opened offshore centres on Manus Island (Papua New Guinea) and Nauru. Since their opening, multiple riots, violence, sexual and physical abuse, self-harm and suicides have occurred in these centres. Multiple riots, violence, sexual and physical abuse, self-harm and suicides have occurred in these centres These traumatic events have raised concerns about the welfare of detained children and their families (1).
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