Factors Associated with Self-Reported Chronic Diseases of Syrian Refugees in Turkey

Abstract

Background: Syria’s civil conflict, which began in 2011, led millions of Syrians to migrate to countries all over the world, including Turkey. Considering the fact that war-caused migrations may affect the citizens of the host countries and immigrants from diverse perspectives, It is important to make scientific research on the outcomes of migration after the Syrian civil war. Objective: This paper investigates the relationship between chronic diseases, such as, cardiac disease, diabetes, and hypertension, and covariates, including socioeconomic status, war-related conditions, risky health behaviours, health services use, and health literacy, using survey data on 7 202 Syrian refugees from 4 068 households living out of camp settlements in Turkey. Methods: Logistic regressions were employed to examine the relationship between the chronic diseases and covariates, which include socioeconomic status, war-related conditions, risky health behaviours, health services use, and health literacy. Findings: The results reveal that pre-migration income, health behaviours, such as, tobacco consumption, body mass index, daily activity, health-care use, and health literacy are the most important factors for one or more chronic diseases. Conclusion: Considering the effects of risk factors on chronic diseases among Syrian refugees, it is critical to take preventive steps for negative outcomes.

Keywords

• syrian refugees
• health behaviours
• health literacy
• chronic diseases
• logit regression