Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology
2019

Skin disease profile of Syrian refugees in Jordan: a field-mission assessment (Article)

Saikal S.L. , Ge L. , Mir A. , Pace J. , Abdulla H. , Leong K.F. , Benelkahla M. , Olabi B. , Medialdea-Carrera R. , Padovese V.*
  • a Department of Dermatology, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia, Faculty of Medicine and Public Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  • b Department of Dermatology, University College London Hospital, London, United Kingdom
  • c Department of Dermatology, New York Medical College, New York, NY, United States
  • d St James Capua Hospital, Sliema, Malta
  • e New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Centre, New York, NY, United States
  • f Department of Dermatology, Kuala Lumpur General Hospital, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • g Department of Dermatology, Farhat Hached Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia, Faculty of Medicine, Ibn Aljazar, Sousse, Tunisia
  • h Department of Dermatology, Lauriston Building, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
  • i Infectious Disease Control Unit, Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Directorate, Msida, Malta, European Programme for Intervention Epidemiology Training (EPIET), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden
  • j Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Genitourinary Clinic, Mater Dei Hospital, Msida, Malta

Abstract

Background: Since the beginning of the Syrian war in 2011, the world has faced the most severe refugee crisis in history and 5.6 million Syrians have sought asylum in neighbouring countries or in Europe. According to recent estimates, more than 650 000 Syrian refugees are displaced in Jordan. Objectives: This article aims to assess the demographic characteristics and skin disease profile of Syrian displaced people residing in Al Za'atari camp and in communities in Jordan. Furthermore, the authors discuss the barriers to healthcare provision experienced during field missions. Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of medical records collected during three medical missions in Jordan by an international dermatological team. Data on patient age, gender, country of origin and skin disease diagnoses were recorded both in Al Za'atari camp and Jordanian towns near the Syrian border. Results: A total of 1197 patients were assessed during the field missions, with 67.7% female and 37.1% under the age of 14 years. Dermatitis was the leading dermatological condition in both refugee camp and community healthcare clinics. Infectious diseases were the second most common; however, fungal presentations were more common in the community as opposed to viral in Al Za'atari. Conclusions: High dermatitis presentations were likely secondary to the environment, living conditions and lack of access to emollients. Infectious diseases were postulated secondary to poor hygiene and sharing of overcrowded spaces. Barriers to health care included limited pharmacological formulary, difficulty in continuity of care and case referrals due to lack of specialized services. Better access to health care, improvement of living conditions and hygiene, and increased availability of medications including emollients and sunscreens are all interventions that should be carried out to reduce skin disease burden. Our findings should further urge the international community to uphold their commitments and uptake engagement in improving health care for Syrian displaced people. © 2019 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology

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Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85074092313&doi=10.1111%2fjdv.15909&partnerID=40&md5=ca8f306da3161eb96cbfdba7a1be0d6b
DOI: 10.1111/jdv.15909
ISSN: 09269959
Original Language: English