Health challenges and access to health care among Syrian refugees in Jordan: a review

Background: Syrian refugees in Jordan are currently facing difficulties in accessing adequate healthcare. Aims: This study looked at the health conditions and barriers to accessing healthcare in Syrian refugees settled in Jordan. Methods: Pubmed, CINAHL and Google Scholar were searched for published cross-sectional studies on the health status of Syrian refugees, specifically the prevalence of chronic diseases, communicable diseases, physical impairments, emotional and mental health problems, and barriers to health care. The terms searched were: Syrian refugee, health access barriers, health access, chronic diseases, communicable diseases/infectious diseases, physical impairment and mental health. The prevalence and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Results: The literature search yielded 265 articles, of which 8 were eligible for inclusion. The prevalence of the conditions assessed were: chronic diseases, 29% (95% CI: 0.190-0.429); communicable diseases, 42.9% (95% CI: 0.184-0.713); emotional and mental health problems, 32.9% (95% CI: 0.191-0.504); physical impairment, 14.4% (95% CI: 0.056-0.322). Financial issues were the greatest barrier to accessing health care for 66% (95% CI: 0.449-0.823%). Conclusions: The health challenges of Syrian refugees are not just about chronic and acute diseases, injuries, or shortage of health resources or health disparities. It is a health burden that has become an economic, political and social crisis for the Jordanian government and its people, and measures and support to help Jordan continue to provide for refugees are needed.