Objective To determine the range and burden of health services utilization among Iraqi refugees receiving health assistance in Jordan, a country of first asylum. Methods Medical conditions, diagnosed in accordance with the tenth revision of the International classification of diseases, were actively monitored from 1January to 31December 2010 using a pilot centralized database in Jordan called the Refugee Assistance Information System. Findings There were 27 166 medical visits by 7642 Iraqi refugees (mean age: 37.4 years; 49% male; 70% from Baghdad; 6% disabled; 3% with a history of torture). Chronic diseases were common, including essential hypertension (22% of refugees), visual disturbances (12%), joint disorders (11%) and type II diabetes mellitus (11%). The most common reasons for seeking acute care were upper respiratory tract infection (11%), supervision of normal pregnancy (4%) and urinary disorders (3%). The conditions requiring the highest number of visits per refugee were cerebrovascular disease (1.46 visits), senile cataract (1.46) and glaucoma (1.44). Sponsored care included 31 747 referrals or consultations to a specialty service, 18 432 drug dispensations, 2307 laboratory studies and 1090 X-rays. The specialties most commonly required were ophthalmology, dentistry, gynaecology and orthopaedic surgery. Conclusion Iraqi refugees in countries of first asylum and resettlement require targeted health services, health education and sustainable prevention and control strategies for predominantly chronic diseases.

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refugee senile cataract essential hypertension respiratory tract infection respiratory disease Jordan non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus Population Surveillance human Refugees middle aged Internationality Iraq health status hypertension United Nations eye disease Aged chronic disease Social Work Health Services Needs and Demand Young Adult population risk school child Humans Adolescent Infant, Newborn male Emigrants and Immigrants preschool child Aged, 80 and over patient referral Infant Child, Preschool female visual disorder medical information system pregnancy health services Article disease control health care utilization urinary tract disease help seeking behavior major clinical study adult health education diabetes glaucoma cerebrovascular disease public health Health Services Accessibility arthropathy Child