Health problems of vietnamese refugees

With Vietnamese immigrants currently arriving in Canada at the rate of 100 per day, physicians will be receiving an increasing number of them into their practice. The prevalence rates of helminthiasis, enterobacterial infections, tuberculosis, viral hepatitis B and leprosy are significantly higher among Southeast Asians, while the rates of protozoal infections are similar to that of the North American population. More than 90% of Southeast Asians have lactose intolerance. The incidences of reactive depression, psychosomatic complaints and adjustment reactions are also quite frequent among the refugees. A protocol is suggested for initial medical screening.