Navigating access barriers: Strategies for Syrian refugees confronting healthcare challenges in Jordan - A qualitative approach

The Syrian refugee crisis represents one of the most significant instances of forced displacement in recent history. Hosting approximately one-third of all Syrian refugees in the Middle East, Jordan faces considerable strain on its healthcare system. This qualitative descriptive study explores the strategies Syrian refugees in Jordan employ to confront access barriers when healthcare is needed. The data was collected in late 2019 from twenty participants through in-depth interviews. Purposive sampling with maximum variation was utilized until thematic saturation was reached. The data was analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s reflexive thematic analysis. Of the 20 participants, the majority (60%) were male, and all had a low level of formal education. Most families (90%) were male-headed, with an average family size of 5.1 members. Our analysis identified ten key themes, grouped into two categories. The first category encompasses health-related adaptation strategies, including self-medication, using alternative medicine, delaying care, stopping or reducing medication, and seeking free health services. The second category involves non-health related strategies, in which health needs were reprioritized over other livelihood essentials. These included borrowing money, collecting donations, resorting to illegal child labor, and planning to relocate to other countries. This study has unveiled a range of adaptation strategies employed by Syrian refugees to overcome access barriers to essential healthcare services. These findings carry important implications for healthcare practice and policy, offering insights that can be used to enhance refugees’ overall well-being and ensure sustainable, equitable, and coordinated access to healthcare services. By understanding these strategies, policymakers and healthcare providers can design targeted interventions aimed at improving healthcare accessibility for this vulnerable population.