International Journal of Public Health
Volume 63, Issue 5, 2018, Pages 601-608

Health and health care access for Syrian refugees living in İstanbul (Article)

Torun P.* , Mücaz Karaaslan M. , Sandıklı B. , Acar C. , Shurtleff E. , Dhrolia S. , Herek B.
  • a Bezmialem Vakif University, İstanbul, Turkey
  • b Bezmialem Vakif University, İstanbul, Turkey
  • c Bezmialem Vakif University, İstanbul, Turkey
  • d Bezmialem Vakif University, İstanbul, Turkey
  • e University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
  • f University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
  • g Istanbul Public Health Directorate, İstanbul, Turkey

Abstract

Objectives: The study was conducted to assess the health needs of urban refugees living in İstanbul. Methods: A mixed methods approach was adopted to interview Syrian women from households, doctors, decision makers and NGO representatives. The data were collected between June and October 2015. Results: The main challenges were the cost of living in İstanbul, increased rent and language barrier. Almost half (49.6%) of the interviewed women did not know about free health care rights for Syrians. In the last 30 days preceding the interview, 58.6% of the participants sought health care primarily through state hospitals, primary health care centres and pharmacies. The participants had difficulty in accessing health care due to the language barrier and a lack of knowledge of the Turkish health care system. Waiting time at hospitals and negative attitudes of health care staff reduced satisfaction in these services. Conclusions: In relation to life in Turkey, the main issues for Syrian refugees were not directly related to health. They have been given the right to access health care, although had many difficulties in understanding and accessing services in a crowded city. © 2018, Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+).

Author Keywords

Turkey Health needs assessment Syrian Refugee

Index Keywords

Needs Assessment hospital admission communication barrier Communication Barriers refugee Syrian Arab Republic human epidemiology Refugees language ethnology Humans Waiting Lists female Socioeconomic Factors socioeconomics Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice organization and management adult Syria Turkey turkey (bird) attitude to health Health Services Accessibility primary health care health care delivery
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85045127660&doi=10.1007%2fs00038-018-1096-4&partnerID=40&md5=c32a70f5acbedc3f1fd9fc6255d8200c
DOI: 10.1007/s00038-018-1096-4
ISSN: 16618556
Cited by: 2
Original Language: English