The health situation of children and adolescents with migration background in Germany

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Although more than one third of minors living in Germany have a migration background (MB), valid data on the health of this population are still lacking. The German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents in Germany (KiGGS wave 2, 2014-2017) provides population-based data to make reliable statements on the health of adolescents with and without MB. Methods Survey data from KiGGS wave 2 are used to describe the general health status, mental health and the prevalence of allergic diseases in 3-to 17-year-old children and adolescents (n = 13,568). To determine overweight, body height and weight are measured (n = 3,463). In addition to MB (without/one-sided/two-sided), the socio-economic status (SES) and the length of stay of the parents in Germany are taken into account. Results Children and adolescents with two-sided MB show a physician-diagnosed atopic dermatitis (3.5%vs.6.9%) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (1.5%vs.5.1%) less frequently than their peers without MB, but more often a moderate or poor general health status (6.1%vs.3.9%). Adolescents with two-sided MB are also more often affected by overweight than those without MB (22.1%vs.12.2%). If only participants with MB are considered, their health situation is often associated with the SES and partly also with the length of stay of the parents. Discussion Health differences between children and adolescents with and without MB vary by the observed indicator. The heterogeneity of children and adolescents with MB, which can be partly determined by the SES or the length of stay of the parents, should be considered in target-group-specific interventions. Main messages The vast majority of children and adolescents in Germany grow up healthy and a MB is not per se associated with a poorer health status. Our results suggest that considering MB as the sole determinant of health to reflect the impact of migration on health is insufficient. Key messages Migration background is not per se associated with a poorer health status. Socioeconomic status and parents’ length of stay are derminants associated with poorer health outcomes among children and adolescents with migration background.