Care-Seeking and Health Service Utilisation for Hypertension and Type 2 Diabetes
Among Syrian Refugee and Host Community Care-Seekers in Lebanon
Abstract
The Syrian refugee influx in Lebanon challenges non-communicable disease (NCD) management, requiring evidence to adapt interventions to quality care demands. This article presents the baseline data from a longitudinal cohort study that examines general practitioner (GP) and specialist care-seeking by Syrian refugees and Lebanese patients with hypertension and/or diabetes. The data was collected from 10 Lebanese primary health facilities.
The findings show health service utilisation was high in both populations, with refugees more likely to seek GP care and Lebanese patients more likely to rely on specialist care. It however found access to quality care was limited by inadequate GP capacity and GP self-doubt concerning effective treatment. The authors suggest expanded GP training could improve NCD management and quality of care. Improving and scaling-up a YMCA medication enrolment programme is suggested to reinforce access to specialist care for Syrian refugees in Lebanon.
This research was supported by the Research for Health in Humanitarian Crises (R2HC) Programme
Citation
Lyles, E., Burnham, G., Fahed, Z. et al. Care-Seeking and Health Service Utilization for Hypertension and Type 2 Diabetes Among Syrian Refugee and Host Community Care-Seekers in Lebanon. Int. Migration & Integration (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12134-021-00858-6