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3rd International Conference on
Health Care and
Health Management
Joint Event
&
November 04-05, 2019 | Prague, Czech Republic
6th International Conference on
Neuroscience and
Neurological Disorders
Journal of Public Health Policy and Planning | Volume 3
Disability status, physical rehabilitation and mental health needs of refugees living in
four cities in Turkey (Istanbul, Gaziantep, Kilis, and Reyhanli)
Andrea Patterson
Relief International, Turkey
Background: Turkey hosts 3.6 million Syrian refugees.
Access to health care is difficult with inadequate awareness
of available services, language and insufficient cultural
sensitiveness representing the main barriers. The burden on
expenditures by the mental and psychological consequences
of conflict/displacement is high; and war injuries and poor
management of chronic conditions have left many refugees
with disabilities. Anxiety, grief and social isolation are
prevalent in people with disability.
Methodology: Utilizing a mix methods approach RI has
measured prevalence of disability among Syrian refugees
in four cities in Turkey to evaluate refugees’ health security
status and needs. Disability, MH issues including anxiety and
depression were calculated trough the Washington Group
questions and key informant interviews.
Results: RI plans to present results from four needs
assessments8 and the trends on MH and PR in the centers
currently supported in Turkey. Results showed a higher
disability prevalence than WHO estimation (15%), with a pick
(28%) in Reyhanli. Prevalence of physical impairments and
MH disorders was higher in Istanbul (19%), the south showed
higher depression and anxiety. Istanbul and Reyhanly had the
highest ratio of disability related to war. Despite the needs,
the percentage of refugees not accessing services was high in
Istanbul (20%) and Kilis (24%).
Conclusions: Results demonstrate the burden of MH and
disabilities among refugees and documenting needs will
serve for advocacy purposes to establish inclusive services.
Speaker Biography
Andrea Patterson is the Country Director of Relief International in Turkey.
She is a humanitarian response worker with over 12 years of professional
work experience in managing complex program portfolios at post conflict
and humanitarian response settings. She has been working in assistance
for Syrian refugees in a variety of countries, overseeing innovative
programmatic activities and improving the lives of refugees. She holds a
Master of Science in Public Health, a Master of Arts in Human Security and
Peacebuilding, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.
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