Roma Settlements Research Articles

Comparison of perinatal hospital services of women living in Roma settlements in Slovenia

Abstract Background Women living in Roma settlements in Slovenia had worse perinatal health indicators comparing with women from the rest of population. They gave more births in younger age and used fewer preventive services and later in pregnancy. Roma children had higher chances to be born earlier and with lower birth weight. We explored the differences in provided hospital services between pregnant Roma and the rest of female population in Slovenia. Methods We identified the female inhabitants of Roma settlements from the national registry of population and separated from the rest of the population data. Health indicators were provided from the national health register - Perinatal Information System for the years from 2018 to 2022. The frequency statistics, ANOVA and comparison of column proportion tests were used (p-value<0.005, 95% CI) to compare the differences in categories of services in those two groups. Results Statistically significant differences were found in several hospital services comparing treatments of pregnant females from Roma settlements comparing to the rest of female population. Women from Roma settlements had higher ratio of gynecologic history without remarks, fewer treatments and less prevention investigations in prenatal period and higher ratio of natural start of delivery. In addition, by Roma females was used less medication during delivery, less episiotomies and fewer caesarean section were performed. Conclusions There are significant differences in provision of hospital services between female inhabitants of Roma settlements and the rest of population. Some of them could be explained by younger average age of delivery in Roma, but additional research would bring more light in possible impact of socio-economic and cultural determinants on both the use and provision of health services. Key messages • There are differences in provided health services between Roma women and the rest of female population. In depth research of prenatal and hospital services would bring additional explanations. • Considering the health inequalities which start by birth, targeted and tailored actions to improve health of Roma women and their new-borns are appropriate and necessary.

Comparison of hospital treatments of the Roma settlements’ inhabitants in Slovenia

Abstract Background Roma ethnic minority in Slovenia was recognized as a vulnerable group with worse health indicators and significantly shorter life expectancy. The vast majority of Roma population in Slovenia have health insurance. We were investigating the use of hospital services in Roma population according to their age and comparing it with the rest of the population. Methods We determined the inhabitants of Roma settlements from the Slovenian register on residents. The data on hospital treatments used were from Slovenian national register on hospital treatments for the period 2018 to 2022. We compared different ratios according to certain hospital treatments within age categories of patients and co-pared those two groups. The frequency statistics, ANOVA and comparison of column proportion tests were used (p-value<0.005, 95% CI). Results Inhabitants of Roma settlements were more often treating in hospitals that rest of population. If comparing the frequency of hospital treatments between age groups only in Roma population, the percentage of hospital treatments steeply declines with age as well as the number of persons in age groups. The highest percentages and numbers of services are in the youngest age group of 0-15 years, and the lowest in the oldest group (75+). Therefore, significantly higher ratios of hospital treatments were detected in younger then in older age groups. Conclusions Roma children and youngsters (0-15 years old) had the highest rate of hospital treatments and it declined with the age. It was consistent with age pyramid of Roma as young population as well as emphasized care for children in culture. The steady decline rate of hospital treatments with age could be explain with delayed seeking of health care services in adult age and higher premature mortality that leads to smaller adult population. Additional and in-depth research is necessary to explain the root causes of higher premature mortality and use of primary and preventive health services. Key messages • Higher use of hospital treatments was caused by higher morbidity. It is necessary to explore the leading causes of hospital treatments and premature mortality. • It is necessary to explore the use of primary health care service, preventive service and level of health literacy of inhabitants of Roma settlements.

Effects of sanitation on child growth in Serbian Roma communities

Abstract Poor sanitation may be associated with growth faltering, but empirical evidence on the association between household sanitation infrastructure and child nutrition has been mixed. This article assessed whether sanitation infrastructure is associated with growth penalties for Roma children. Design This is a Roma nationally representative population-based study. Proxies of child nutritional outcomes included children’s height-for-age Z scores below two standard deviations from the median of WHO’s reference population. Multiple and logistic regressions estimated the association between the type of toilet usage, outcomes, and sociodemographic determinants. Setting Data were from UNICEF’s fifth and sixth Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys for Serbian Roma settlements. Subjects Children aged 0–24 (n = 1,150) and 25–59 (n = 2,024) months born to women aged 15–48 years were included in this study. Results About 16% of children resided in households with no toilet service, and 23% of children were stunted. Roma children aged 25–59 months in households with no toilet service and in rural areas were more likely to be stunted and of significantly shorter stature than their counterparts. Children up to 24 months of age were not affected by the type of toilet, likely due to protective effects of breastfeeding. Child’s age, number of siblings, and birth spacing negatively influenced growth outcomes, while maternal age, birthweight above 2.5 kg, and being a female mitigated against poor growth outcomes. Conclusions The relationship between the type of toilet and growth outcomes among Roma children varied with age and area: having no toilet and living in rural areas were associated with compromised child growth for children aged 25–59 months. Maternal and child characteristics additionally accounted for children’s growth.

Association of socioeconomic disadvantage and ethnicity with perinatal neonatal, and infant mortality in Slovakia

BackgroundInfant mortality rates are reliable indices of the child and general population health status and health care delivery. The most critical factors affecting infant mortality are socioeconomic status and ethnicity. The aim of this study was to assess the association between socioeconomic disadvantage, ethnicity, and perinatal, neonatal, and infant mortality in Slovakia before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsThe associations between socioeconomic disadvantage (educational level, long-term unemployment rate), ethnicity (the proportion of the Roma population) and mortality (perinatal, neonatal, and infant) in the period 2017–2022 were explored, using linear regression models.ResultsThe higher proportion of people with only elementary education and long-term unemployed, as well as the higher proportion of the Roma population, increases mortality rates. The proportion of the Roma population had the most significant impact on mortality in the selected period between 2017 and 2022, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020–2022).ConclusionsLife in segregated Roma settlements is connected with the accumulation of socioeconomic disadvantage. Persistent inequities between Roma and the majority population in Slovakia exposed by mortality rates in children point to the vulnerabilities and exposures which should be adequately addressed by health and social policies.

Unveiling Health Inequalities: Exploring Metabolic Dysfunction in Rural Roma Communities.

Europe's largest ethnic minority, the Roma, are often confronted with substantial obstacles that result in health disparities. Research indicates that there are elevated rates of both communicable and non-communicable diseases, such as metabolic syndrome (MetS), among Roma communities, often linked to living conditions, limited education, or poverty. This study centers on remote rural Roma settlements in Romania, evaluating the prevalence of metabolic dysfunction, obesity, and liver steatosis while considering socio-economic and lifestyle factors. Over a period of 36 months, local visits to a total of 25 rural Roma communities were conducted, where a medical team gathered information through a standardized questionnaire and conducted a physical exam on every participant. Liver steatosis was also recorded with the help of a portable wireless ultrasound device. Our study included 343 participants, with a predominance of female subjects, representing 72.5% (n = 249) of the patients. The prevalence of obesity, defined by a body mass index (BMI) above 30 kg/m2, was 32.2% (n = 111). Arterial hypertension was found to have a prevalence of 54.1% (n = 185), with de novo hypertension being observed in 19.2% patients (n = 66). Type 2 diabetes mellitus was found in 28.9% patients (n = 99), with 19.5% being de novo cases. The prevalence of hepatic steatosis was 57.2% (n = 111/194). A positive association between metabolic features and at-risk behaviors was found. This study underscores the transition from infectious to metabolic diseases in vulnerable communities and highlights the urgency of targeted public health strategies tailored to the unique needs of rural Roma populations, aiming to mitigate health disparities and promote equitable healthcare access.

Exploring Spatial Proximity and Social Exclusion through Two Case Studies of Roma Settlements in Greece

Roma groups in Greece are a long-standing socially deprived population that faces extreme social exclusion and segregation. Their marginalization includes limited access to education, employment, and housing. This paper explores their spatial position and social exclusion, comparing the social profile and life conditions in two case studies of Roma settlements with those of the municipal and regional units to which they belong. Methodologically, we analyze quantitative data from the 2011 Population Census to measure life conditions at three levels (settlement, municipal unit, regional unit), and we also use qualitative data from interviews with representatives of local agencies and residents of the two settlements to document our hypotheses on the causal relations between the spatial position and the social exclusion of Roma groups. The comparison shows that the two Roma settlements are clearly different from their entourage, assembling the lowest positions in the labor market, the weakest performances in education, the largest households, and the worst housing conditions. This case of extreme social exclusion in ghettoized spatial proximity raises the question about the significance of micro-segregation and the way it works in different contexts, as well as the need for further research for a more comprehensive understanding of the relation between social inequality and spatial distance.

RomaniLanguage, LinguisticRightsand«Antigypsyism»

The article analyses the forms of «antigypsyism»towards the use of Romani language, education of Roma children in their mother tongue and the linguistic human rights of Roma. After defining the «hate speech» and «antigypsyism», «antiziganism», «online hate» given by different authors, research with some Roma communities in Slovakia is presented. The «antigypsysim» is expressed directly or online towards Roma. The forms of personal/individual, institutionalized antigypsyism,institutionalized personal antigypsyismare discussed. Romani is in daily use mainly in the segregated Roma settlements. However, neither in the segregated nor in the special schools are the children offered lessons to build formal literacy in their mother tongue. The attitudes of the teachers towards the use of the Romani language at school are often not positive and they do not have any activities supporting the use and development of Romani. They do not recognize that such children have a right to acquire literacy in their home language. It is not viewed as an asset but precisely the opposite: the teachers think that they do not need their mother tongue and that the official school language is more important. The official languages used by the children are also an object of hate speech in social media and society, because often they use a variety of the official language called «ethnolect», and not the official language. Applying the insights of Auduc (2006), Iconcluded that the discrimination against young Roma is even stronger when they are highly qualified. The antigypsyism is much greater towards educated Roma who are fighting for their language and identity rights. That is because in their countries of origin this category of human capital, e.g. educated Roma, cannot be integrated, and most of them emigrate to West European countries to find their professional realization. Keywords: Roma, linguistic human rights, education, antigypsyism

Internal migration from and to municipalities in Slovakia with the highest proportion of people living in Roma settlements

The municipalities in Slovakia in which the majority of people live in Roma settlements are characterised by several specific features. However, only limited attention has been paid to the process of migration and especially internal migration. The main goal of this article is the analysis of internal migration in selected municipalities with the highest proportion (more than 80%) of people living in Roma settlements. We tried to identify both the total volume and intensity of internal migration from and to the analysed municipalities, along with the available structural characteristics of the persons who changed their permanent residence. The results we obtained confirmed lower migration dynamics in these municipalities. We also found that economic factors do not play a significant role in migration within Slovakia. The most important reasons for migration were housing, for younger people following a family member who migrated, and, in older age groups, health reasons, especially in the case of emigrants. Factors behind the younger age of migrants from and to these municipalities include the fact that these migrants tend to complete education and begin some family transitions (childbearing, marriage) earlier than the majority population. Higher chances of migration were confirmed for more educated persons and, except among younger people, for people who not married. The results also confirmed the relatively narrow geographical area in which migration occurs, with most moves taking place over a short distance.

Measles in vulnerable populations: An outbreak in Roma settlements of Loire-Atlantique, France, 2019.

In May 2019, a measles outbreak occurred in the French subregion of Loire-Atlantique, particularly affecting Roma settlements. Various obstacles hindered the implementation of postexposure measures among Roma population, resulting in the spread of the cases to other settlements. Suspected cases of measles were immediately investigated and concerned settlements were visited for measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination. From July 1 to September 3, 2019, a first and then a second Health Reserve team helped for vaccination on the affected and then also the measles-free settlements. Vaccination uptake was monitored with the use of the department's vaccination center immunization registry. Genotyping of selected samples was performed for comparison with viruses circulating at the same time in France and Romania. As of September 16 2019, 109 cases of measles were confirmed among Roma population, including 99 (91%) children under 15 years. Of the 85 people eligible for vaccination, 60 (71%) had not been vaccinated and 23 (27%) had an unknown vaccination status. Sequence comparison revealed that 28/29 sequenced D8 strains were 100% identical to the strain responsible for a large number of cases throughout France in 2019, and to two sequences reported in Romania among sporadic cases. The vaccination campaign resulted in 1136 people on 35 settlements receiving at least one dose of MMR vaccine and in the increase of one-dose MMR vaccine coverage at 24 months from 43% (23/53) to 91% (48/53). With measles transmission continuing in Europe, efforts must be made to meet immunization coverage targets, particularly in hard-to-reach communities where outbreaks may be difficult to control.

Teachers’ Attitudes towards Roma Pupils from the Perspective of Roma Pupils and Their Mothers

Abstract In this article, we will discuss the case of fair and inclusive schools that are considerate of the specific and unique needs of their pupils and offer quality education for all. We will highlight the most important indicators of inclusive education and focus on research that confirms the importance of the teachers’ willingness to establish good interpersonal relationships with their pupils. In the empirical section, we will introduce the results of our qualitative study. Based on interviews conducted with 20 mothers and 20 primary school pupils in two Slovene Roma settlements, we explored how pupils and their mothers perceive teachers’ attitudes towards Roma children. Our findings were very promising, for they showed that the interviewed pupils and their mothers had a positive experience with the teachers and their pedagogical work with Roma children. However, we should not ignore the few cases that pointed to ethnic discrimination towards Roma pupils.

Life next to a landfill: urban marginality, environmental injustice and the Roma

The site known as Lipnica is a segregated Roma settlement built on the edge of a municipal landfill in the district town of Turčany, central Slovakia (fictitious names have been used for the site and the town). The settlement emerged as a result of processes rooted in neoliberal economic restructuring, accompanied by a sharp rise in unemployment in the 1990s. The settlement was originally built to provide temporary housing for those who were in arrears for rent in municipal flats, and originally consisted of one apartment building and several modular cabins. In the following years it expanded, and today it is an ethnic quasi-ghetto for approximately 400 Roma inhabitants. From a theoretical perspective, an analysis of the Lipnica settlement is situated at the intersection of critical race theory and environmental justice theory. In this article, we describe the trajectory leading to the formation of the settlement and analyse how the impoverishment of the Roma, coupled with the construction of the community as ‘maladjusted’ anti-social others, facilitated their spatial exclusion. We conclude that the case demythologises culturising explanations for the emergence of Roma settlements, by using empirical data to show how Lipnica developed as a result of intentional discriminatory policies of the local ruling class used against an ethnic minority.

The inhumanity of people living in Slovak Roma settlements: on the creation of the focal images

Abstract This text deals with convergence and divergence in relation to the formation of images of inhumanity in Slovak Roma settlements. Slovak media, social networks, and television reports often contain negative images emphasizing the Roma’s backwardness, irrationality, superstition, and cruelty, and aiming to highlight their inhumanity. This approach has become prevalent even among official state authorities such as the police of the Slovak Republic, shaping the perception of the Roma as monsters. It represents a mobilization strategy that connects and disconnects various disciplinary apparatuses, forming concrete images of monsters. By examining moments of convergence and divergence, which mainly focus on the killing and consumption of canines, the text clarifies the social and material ordering that contributes to the particular arrangement of significance used by the Slovak media and other officials.

Legal Framework for Social Infrastructure for Social Integration of the Roma and Their Preferences: Case of Slovenia

The EU and its Member States share responsibility for improving the living conditions and integration of the Roma into society. When developing systemic solutions to address the challenges of the Roma population, the first thing to do is to provide them with a suitable living environment. A suitable living environment for vulnerable social groups includes social housing adapted to their needs and preferences as part of the social infrastructure. In the first, theoretical part, this paper explores the existing international, EU, and Slovenian legal framework for addressing the housing needs of the Roma community. In the second, empirical part, the preferences of the members of the Roma Community regarding the type and architecture of housing, and their financial capacity regarding the type and location of accommodation are examined through a survey that was conducted in the Roma settlement “Kerinov Grm”. The research paper gives answers to the following research questions: (1) what are the preferences of the inhabitants of Roma settlements regarding the type of housing and architecture? (2) how to provide adequate housing for members of the Roma community? and (3) do the Roma take advantage of the available free non-profit housing, and if not, why? The survey shows a very low level of satisfaction with living in Roma settlements, which, in combination with the growing population, limited possibilities for settlement expansion, and specific housing preferences, poses a unique challenge to the state and local communities.

PREVALENCIJA RAZLIČITIH OBLIKA NASILJA NAD ROMKINJAMA U ROMSKIM OBITELJIMA U IZOLIRANIM ROMSKIM NASELJIMA NA PODRUČJU MEĐIMURSKE ŽUPANIJE

PREVALENCE OF DIFFERENT FORMS OF VIOLENCE AGAINST ROMA WOMEN IN ROMA FAMILIES IN ISOLATED ROMA SETTLEMENTS ON THE TERRITORY OF MEĐIMURJE COUNTY ABSTRACT The subject of the research was the prevalence of various forms of violence against Roma women living in isolated Roma settlements in Međimurje County. The research was conducted by one-time research on the type of so-called draft »cross-section« at one point in time (spring 2020.) by survey method and on a random, proportional, stratified sample of 350 Roma women from 12 isolated Roma settlements in Međimurje County. There was a very high prevalence of exposure to all forms of domestic violence against women among Romani women, with 69,1% of Romani women surveyed saying they had experienced at least one form of violence (physical, psychological, sexual, and/or economic) at least once in their lives. By analyzing the collected responses on exposure to certain forms from each of the four groups of violence, new variables were formed by isolating all those Roma women who at least once or more often over time, and at least once experienced at least one form from each violence group. 61.,7% of Romani women have been exposed to some form of psychological violence at least once in their lives, 50.,3% of Romani women have been exposed to some form of physical violence at least once in their lives, 22.,3% of Romani women have been exposed to some form of economic violence at least once in their lives and to some form of sexual violence have been exposed 17.,1% of Roma women have been exposed to some form of sexual violence. The results showed that Romani women are extremely vulnerable due to the presence of several risk factors that go far beyond belonging to an ethnic minority or any other minority group. Key words: Roma women; Međimurje; gender violence; violence against women.

Public transport accessibility and spatial exclusion in Roma settlements: A case study of three regions in Eastern Slovakia

Abstract Spatial isolation and social exclusion of some of the Roma communities have been a long-term issue in specific Slovakia regions. Along with some other factors, these may contribute to poor access to labour markets for Roma residents of such communities. As public transport acts as an important means of mobility of socially excluded residents, we consider the quality and accessibility of the public transport network as an important element that can impact on the spatially isolated Roma’s ability to reach labour markets, as well as services, education, etc. Based on our empirical evidence, this paper aims to provide a better understanding and analysis of the social exclusion of segregated Roma neighbourhoods in the context of spatial exclusion and transport disadvantage related to public transportation accessibility. We tried to focus on physical accessibility of public transport points for the communities, as well as on the quality and frequency of public transport services available at these points for residents of Roma communities. Our research covered three different regions of Eastern Slovakia, where the concentration of Roma communities is high compared to the rest of the country.

Health and health status of children in Serbia and the desired Millennium Development Goals

Aim: Children represent the future, and ensuring their healthy growth and development should be a prime concern of all societies. Better health for all childrenis one of the leading objectives of the National Plan of Action for Children and a keyelement of the tailored Millennium Development Goals for Serbia. Methods: Our analysis was based on relevant literature and available information from the primary and secondary sources and databases. We analyzed health status of children that can be illustrated by indicators of child and infant mortality, morbidity,and nutritional status. Results: There has been a significant reduction in the mortality rates at the nationallevel, particularly with regard to infants and children under five years of age. However, the current mortality rate of Roma children is still three times as high as the Millennium Goal set at the national level for Serbia. Most deaths of children under theage of five are due to preterm birth complications, congenital anomalies, birthasphyxia and trauma, pneumonia and sepsis. The rate of malnourished childrenamong the poor and in Roma settlements is twice as high as in the general population of Serbian children. A growing number of obese children was also noted in the Roma population. Conclusion: Political awareness, commitment and leadership are required to ensurethat child health receives receive the attention and the resources needed to accelerate the progress of Serbia.

Ethnic differences in smoking behaviour: The situation of Roma in Eastern Europe

Aim: To investigate ethnic differences in smoking between Roma and non-Roma and their determinants, including how discrimination faced by Roma may influence smoking decisions. Methods: We analysed data from the Roma Regional Survey 2011 implemented in twelve countries of Central and South-East Europe with random samples of approximately 750 households in Roma settlements and 350 households in nearby non-Roma communities in each country. The overall sample comprises 11,373 individuals (8,234 Roma) with a proportion of women of 57% and an average age of 36 years. Statistical methods include marginal effects from Probit and zero-truncated negative binomial estimates to explain cigarette consumption. Results: We found that Roma have a higher probability of smoking and are heavier smokers compared to otherwise comparable non-Roma. These differences in smoking behaviour cannot purely be explained by the lower socio-economic situation of Roma since the ethnic gap remains substantial once individual characteristics are controlled for. The probability of smoking is positively correlated with the degree of ethnic discrimination experienced by Roma, especially when it is related to private or public health services. Conclusions: By providing evidence on smoking behaviour between Roma and non-Roma in a large number of countries, our findings support the need to understand smoking behaviour of Roma from a comparative perspective, and may ultimately contribute to more effective anti-smoking messages for Roma. However, if the health disadvantage faced by Roma is to be addressed adequately, this group must be involved more effectively in the policy and public health process.

Examining the characteristics of Roma–non-Roma interethnic romantic relationships using decision tree analysis

Interethnic romantic relationships can be perceived as indicators of integration, but they can also be facilitators of successful social integration. This is why we considered it important to study Roma people who had already had a non-Roma partner. We were looking for answers to the question of what is characteristic of these people compared to those who have only been in a romantic relationship or marriage with a Roma partner throughout their lives. In our study, we investigated the correlations using a Khi2 test and decision tree analysis on a sample of 535 Roma people in Hungary. Among the sociodemographic characteristics, gender, marital status, actual relationship status, educational attainment, belonging to a Roma community (Romungro, Olah, Boyash), occupation and settlement type were significantly associated with whether Roma respondents had ever had a non-Roma partner. Roma people with less than eight years of primary education had the most homogeneous partner choice habits. Roma people with more than eight years of education, unmarried, cohabiting with their partner or not living with their partner had had non-Roma partners in the highest proportion. As educational attainment increases, it can be assumed that more and more Roma-non-Roma romantic relationships and marriages will be formed in Hungary.

Tomasz Kamusella. Words in Space and Time: Historical Atlas of Language Politics in Modern Central Europe

Tomasz Kamusella. <i>Words in Space and Time: Historical Atlas of Language Politics in Modern Central Europe</i>

Securitization and militarized quarantine of Roma settlements during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic in Slovakia

ABSTRACT Recent analysis indicates that the coronavirus pandemic has disproportionately affected Roma people, amplified pre-existing exclusion, poverty, discrimination, and exposed marginalized Roma to vulnerability even more than before. This study explores the securitization and militarized quarantine of Roma settlements during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Slovakia. The study analyzes who, how and why securitized Roma communities? On what issues and for whom? With what result and under what conditions? The result of securitization, i.e. militarized quarantine of six Roma settlements is investigated in terms of legality, necessity, proportionality, and temporariness. The topic is approached from the perspective of political science. The study deploys a new institutionalism approach, securitization as an analytical frame, and qualitative research design. This includes a case study, elite interviews, and qualitative content analysis. The study concludes that, in the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Slovakia, securitization took place instead of right-based discourse and a humanitarian approach towards the most vulnerable and socially excluded MRCs. Slovakia deployed heavily securitized responses towards Roma, targeting them selectively and collectively with anti-corona measures. Residents of six Roma settlements were exposed to the discrimination and most restrictive measures that the rest of the population did not face.