Experiences of Young Migrants Living with Sickle Cell Disease
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Young Migrants, Chronic illness and Disability: The Case of Children and Young People with Sickle Cell Disease who Migrate to England
IRAS ID
327358
Contact name
Brenda Poku
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Nottingham
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 5 months, 30 days
Research summary
We understand little about the experiences of children and young people (CYP) who migrate with pre-existing chronic illnesses. This is explained by assumptions suggesting that migrants are young, healthy and able-bodied, who rarely use health services. This study will examine the experiences of CYP with chronic illnesses who migrate, using migrant CYP with sickle cell disease (SCD) in England as an example. Migrant CYP with SCD require prompt and life-long care from a range of different services. They contribute significantly to the number of people living with SCD in the UK. Little, however, is known about their experiences. This study will explore:
1. how migrant CYP with SCD experience and navigate the UK's health and social care, educational and social systems;
2. how they make sense of and give meaning to their illness when in a new homeland;
3.the current role of the NHS, educational and third sectors in supporting migrant CYP with SCD.The study will explore how they experience their illness from childhood to young adulthood in a new homeland. It will also explore how health, social and educational services interact and mediate the young migrants' illness experiences. The project will present a critical account of migrant health and explore how factors such as age, sex, race, ethnicity, immigration status, pre-migration experiences and expectations, along with UK's culture and systems, intersect and mediate the migrant CYP's experiences of SCD. This include exploring how they manage their illness in a new homeland. This will be achieved by speaking with migrant CYP with SCD, parents/carers and the professionals and charities who support them through interviews and art-based focus group discussions. The study will identify ways to improve the experiences of CYP with SCD and other pre-existing chronic illnesses who migrate and support their transition and integration post-migration.
REC name
Wales REC 6
REC reference
23/WA/0240
Date of REC Opinion
13 Sep 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion