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Patterns of Health Care Seeking and Access to Health Care among Iraqi Refugees in Jordan and Egypt. Dr. Nada Al Ward WHO Sub-Regional EHA Coordinator. Background. A substantial exodus of Iraqis followed the 2003 war on Iraq due to continuing violence and lack of security.
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Patterns of Health Care Seeking and Access to Health Care among Iraqi Refugees in Jordan and Egypt Dr. Nada Al WardWHO Sub-Regional EHA Coordinator
Background • A substantial exodus of Iraqis followed the 2003 war on Iraq due to continuing violence and lack of security. • Nearly 2 million Iraqis fled to neighboring countries of whom about 450,000 are now living in Jordan and 70,000 in Egypt, in addition to Iraqis in other countries. • Two parallel surveys were implemented in Jordan and Egypt to assess the health profile, needs, health care seeking behavior and barriers to health care among Iraqi refugees in these two countries.
Results:Health Care Seeking: Reasons The mainbarriers to seeking health care in Jordan were: not being allowed by the husband (49%) and cost (35%), while in Egypt the barriers were: not knowing where to go (50%), and cost (21.4%)
Results:Selected Sector for Health Care Economic quartile was not significant for Egypt
Results: Inpatient Hospital Care * Significant
Results: Child Health * Others include mainly ear/nose/throat, dental, eye and Skin conditions.
Conclusions • Access to health care among Iraqi refugees in Jordan and Egypt appeared to be high • Access varied among different subgroups • The main barriers to accessing health care were cost (since services were mostly sought at private facilities) and lack of information • Efforts should be directed at overcoming these two barriers through: • Channeling beneficiaries to public and NGO facilities • Providing them with information they need on accessing available services at lower / no cost