Syrian Refugees in a Container City in Turkey: Retrospective Evaluation of Primary Care Admissions

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to collect and share information about primary care (PC) services provided to the Syrian refugees in Kilis container city and to evaluate their situation excluding preventive services. We also tried to determine further needs. Methods: This is a retrospective type descriptive study. Data about PC services provided to Syrian refugees in Öncüpınar was collected by personal contacts and observation besides summarizing our own experience. The container cities have a manual system. For the take of the analysis, information from the paper files was transferred to an electronic database. The study covered the period between April 2012-where settling of Syrians started-and 20th December 2012 when admissions were recorded. Total number of admissions to the PC center was 17399 during this period. Results: Health care services are provided through a PC center, 112 medical emergency service stations and a tent hospital. Most of the admissions were in 12-59 month age group (20.2%), followed by 20-29 years age group (16.6%),46% of all admissions were acute problems including respiratory tract infections, gastrointestinal system problems, soft tissue infections and pain. Hypertension was the most common diagnosis among chronic conditions. Of all admissions, 10.8 % ended up with referral, 17.5 % of the patients were referred to the emergency service where the remaining were referred to different specialty services. Conclusion: This is the first study of the PC services provided to the Syrian refugees in Turkey and identifies main causes of admissions and referrals. Day by day living in the host country, all requirements are increasing and changing occasionally. Therefore the situation should be reviewed constantly and plan should be done for the current and future needs.