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Article History

Received: 13 October 2025

Accepted: 31 March 2026

First Online: 21 April 2026

Declarations

:

: The aim of the TERTTU survey was to support the development of health examinations offered to asylum seekers. These examinations are confidential health services and are not connected to the asylum application process. All participants provided both written and oral informed consent. The voluntary nature of participation was emphasized, and interviewers or research nurses—trained and employed by the study organization (THL)—explained the study’s purpose, significance, and procedures to each participant. Participants were informed about personal data protection, the independence of the study from the asylum-seeking process, and the confidentiality of their responses. They were made aware of their right to decline participation, withdraw at any time without providing a reason, or skip any question. Research nurses were bound by confidentiality agreements and trained in key principles of research ethics.

: Ethical approval for the TERTTU survey was granted by the Coordinating Ethics Committee of the Helsinki and Uusimaa Hospital District decision (reference HUS/3330/2017). The purpose, the significance, and the process of the study was explained to each study participant by the research nurses trained and employed to the study organization (THL). Both written and orally informed consent was obtained from all participants, and the voluntary nature of the study was emphasized.

: The authors declare no competing interests.