Abstract
According to the literature data, Roma health and living conditions in Central and Eastern Europe are poorer than of the rest of population. However, the more detailed information about Roma health is lacking. The aim of the study was to evaluate morbidity, health self-assessment, and prevalence of addictions among Roma children in Vilnius and Ventspils and to compare with health indicators of non-Roma children. Participants and methods. A descriptive epidemiological study was carried out, anonymously questioning all volunteer Roma children – 59 in Vilnius (Lithuania) and 31 in Ventspils (Latvia) schools. Results were compared with identical study, carried out in five Vilnius schools (reference group, 640). Results. The appliance rate of Roma children to doctor did not differ from reference group – half of all questioned children visited doctor 1–3 times during the last year. However, more Roma children (74.6% from Vilnius and 64.6% from Ventspils) considered their health as poor and very poor as compared to reference group (4.3%). The proportion of children indicating somatic symptoms often and very often did not differ statistically significantly among groups with exception of vomiting and nausea, which was most prevalent among Vilnius Roma and Ventspils Roma. The proportion of children indicating emotional symptoms often and very often differed significantly in all groups and was the biggest in Ventspils Roma group. The proportion of daily alcohol, drug users, and smokers was higher in Vilnius Roma and Ventspils Roma groups, although the differences among all three groups were not statistically significant. Conclusion. Although the morbidity of Vilnius Roma and Ventspils Roma groups did not differ from reference group, essential discrepancy was found in health self-assessment – more Roma children considered their health as poor and very poor.
Highlights
Many Roma are settled in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe
The proportion of children indicating somatic symptoms often and very often did not differ statistically significantly among groups with exception of vomiting and nausea, which was most prevalent among Vilnius Roma and Ventspils Roma
The proportion of daily alcohol, drug users, and smokers was higher in Vilnius Roma and Ventspils Roma groups, the differences among all three groups were not statistically significant
Summary
Many Roma (about 7 millions) are settled in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. Before joining European Union, previous Eastern European countries had to accept “Copenhagen criteria,” one of which was the respect and protection of minorities Those countries declared “The Decade of Roma Integration” for the period of 2005–2015 and developed an ambitious action plan how to improve Roma housing, employment, education, and access to health care [1]. Average life expectancy of Roma women and men is 10–15 years lower than the population of the country they live [2, 3]. The causes of such great differences, are unknown. Roma get sick with the illnesses, which are recessively inherited, because in this closed community, families are created between close relatives (cousins) very often [2,3,4]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
