Health and health care access for Syrian refugees living in İstanbul

Perihan Torun (), Meltem Mücaz Karaaslan, Büşra Sandıklı, Ceyda Acar, Ellyn Shurtleff, Sophia Dhrolia and Bülent Herek
Additional contact information
Perihan Torun: Bezmialem Vakif University
Meltem Mücaz Karaaslan: Bezmialem Vakif University
Büşra Sandıklı: Bezmialem Vakif University
Ceyda Acar: Bezmialem Vakif University
Ellyn Shurtleff: University of Sheffield
Sophia Dhrolia: University of Sheffield
Bülent Herek: Istanbul Public Health Directorate

International Journal of Public Health, 2018, vol. 63, issue 5, No 7, 608 pages

Abstract: 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.

Keywords: Health needs assessment; Refugee; Syrian; Turkey (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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DOI: 10.1007/s00038-018-1096-4

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