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Health and health care access for Syrian refugees living in İstanbul

Author

Listed:
  • 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)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Perihan Torun & Meltem Mücaz Karaaslan & Büşra Sandıklı & Ceyda Acar & Ellyn Shurtleff & Sophia Dhrolia & Bülent Herek, 2018. "Health and health care access for Syrian refugees living in İstanbul," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 63(5), pages 601-608, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ijphth:v:63:y:2018:i:5:d:10.1007_s00038-018-1096-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s00038-018-1096-4
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Oecd, 2013. "Turkey Assessment Report 2013," SIGMA Country Assessment Reports 2013/2, OECD Publishing.
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    Cited by:

    1. Shima Azizi & Cem Deniz Caglar Bozkir & Andrew C. Trapp & O. Erhun Kundakcioglu & Ali Kaan Kurbanzade, 2021. "Aid Allocation for Camp‐Based and Urban Refugees with Uncertain Demand and Replenishments," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 30(12), pages 4455-4474, December.
    2. Jude Alawa & Parmida Zarei & Kaveh Khoshnood, 2019. "Evaluating the Provision of Health Services and Barriers to Treatment for Chronic Diseases among Syrian Refugees in Turkey: A Review of Literature and Stakeholder Interviews," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-12, July.
    3. Rayan Korri & Guenter Froeschl & Olena Ivanova, 2021. "A Cross-Sectional Quantitative Study on Sexual and Reproductive Health Knowledge and Access to Services of Arab and Kurdish Syrian Refugee Young Women Living in an Urban Setting in Lebanon," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-17, September.

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