Prevention of Hazardous Substance Use Among Refugees: A Systematic Review

Introduction: Due to their experiences in their country of origin and during their flight and the stressors in the country of arrival, refugees can be a particularly vulnerable group to hazardous substance use. There are currently only very limited reliable research findings on prevention of hazardous substance use in this specific target group. Methods: A search was carried out in four international databases with a health, social science or medical focus using PRISMA guidelines where applicable in order to identify publications treating topics relating to prevention of hazardous substance use among refugees. Results: Nineteen publications were included, which produced signifi cant findings on the need for prevention, but few results on the concrete design of effective preventive measures. The knowledge on effective prevention of substance use in refugees is therefore still very limited. Central to prevention approaches is the focus on the risks in the arrival situation of refugees, in which substance use is seen as a resource for coping. In addition, numerous barriers make it difficult for the target group to access prevention and intervention. Conclusions: There is a need for research regarding the topic of preventing hazardous substance use among refugees, in which the feasibility, effectiveness and cultural adaptation of preventive measures should be focussed in order to be able to develop, implement and evaluate future evidence-based, needs-oriented, target group-specific and culturally sensitive offers.