Noncommunicable diseases among urban refugees and asylum-seekers in developing countries: a neglected health care need

Globalization and Health

Syed Mohamed Aljunid¹  Ahmed Hassan Amara² 

[1] International Centre for Casemix and Clinical Coding (ITCC-UKKMC), Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Yaacob Latiff, Cheras 5000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia;Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Spandauer Damm 130, Haus 10, Berlin D-14050, Germany

关键词: Health care;    Urban;    Developing countries;    Noncommunicable disease;    Asylum-seeker;    Refugee;   

Others  :  802527
DOI  :  10.1186/1744-8603-10-24

 received in 2013-04-23, accepted in 2014-02-24,  发布年份 2014

【 摘 要 】

With the increasing trend in refugee urbanisation, growing numbers of refugees are diagnosed with chronic noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). However, with few exceptions, the local and international communities prioritise communicable diseases. The aim of this study is to review the literature to determine the prevalence and distribution of chronic NCDs among urban refugees living in developing countries, to report refugee access to health care for NCDs and to compare the prevalence of NCDs among urban refugees with the prevalence in their home countries. Major search engines and refugee agency websites were systematically searched between June and July 2012 for articles and reports on NCD prevalence among urban refugees. Most studies were conducted in the Middle East and indicated a high prevalence of NCDs among urban refugees in this region, but in general, the prevalence varied by refugees’ region or country of origin. Hypertension, musculoskeletal disease, diabetes and chronic respiratory disease were the major diseases observed. In general, most urban refugees in developing countries have adequate access to primary health care services. Further investigations are needed to document the burden of NCDs among urban refugees and to identify their need for health care in developing countries.

【 授权许可】

   
2014 Amara and Aljunid; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

【 图 表 】

Figure 1.

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