Preventing Chronic Disease | Chronic Diseases, Lack of Medications, and Depression Among Syrian Refugees in Jordan, 2013–2014 - CDC
Chronic Diseases, Lack of Medications, and Depression Among Syrian Refugees in Jordan, 2013–2014
Omar Salem Gammouh, PhD; Ahmed Mohammad Al-Smadi, PhD; Loai Issa Tawalbeh, PhD; Laurice Sami Khoury, MPH
Suggested citation for this article: Gammouh OS, Al-Smadi AM, Tawalbeh LI, Khoury LS. Chronic Diseases, Lack of Medications, and Depression Among Syrian Refugees in Jordan, 2013–2014. Prev Chronic Dis 2015;12:140424. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.5888/pcd12.140424
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Abstract
Introduction
Studying mental and physical health problems in refugees facilitates providing suitable health care, thus improving their quality of life. We studied depression tendency in Syrian refugees in Jordan in the light of chronic diseases and medication availability. Also, depression prevalence and depression comorbidity with chronic diseases were identified.
Studying mental and physical health problems in refugees facilitates providing suitable health care, thus improving their quality of life. We studied depression tendency in Syrian refugees in Jordan in the light of chronic diseases and medication availability. Also, depression prevalence and depression comorbidity with chronic diseases were identified.
Methods
In this multicenter cross-sectional survey, data from Syrian refugees attending Caritas centers in 6 Jordanian cities from November 2013 through June 2014 were analyzed. Participants’ demographics, depression, previously diagnosed chronic diseases, and newly diagnosed chronic diseases and the availability of medications were studied. Logistic regression was used to examine predictors for depression.
In this multicenter cross-sectional survey, data from Syrian refugees attending Caritas centers in 6 Jordanian cities from November 2013 through June 2014 were analyzed. Participants’ demographics, depression, previously diagnosed chronic diseases, and newly diagnosed chronic diseases and the availability of medications were studied. Logistic regression was used to examine predictors for depression.
Results
Of 765 refugees who participated, about one-third demonstrated significant depression as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory. Descriptive analyses showed that depression was comorbid in 35% of participants with previously diagnosed chronic diseases and in 40% of participants with newly diagnosed chronic diseases. Newly diagnosed chronic diseases and lack of medications significantly contributed to depression, but the regression model as a whole explained less than 5% of the variance.
Of 765 refugees who participated, about one-third demonstrated significant depression as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory. Descriptive analyses showed that depression was comorbid in 35% of participants with previously diagnosed chronic diseases and in 40% of participants with newly diagnosed chronic diseases. Newly diagnosed chronic diseases and lack of medications significantly contributed to depression, but the regression model as a whole explained less than 5% of the variance.
Conclusion
Because the regression model showed low effect size, we concluded that newly diagnosed chronic diseases and medication shortages could not predict depression in Syrian refugees residing in Jordan. Therefore, further studies of additional factors are recommended. Prompt measures have to be taken to prevent the spread of chronic diseases and improve mental health in this fragile population.
Because the regression model showed low effect size, we concluded that newly diagnosed chronic diseases and medication shortages could not predict depression in Syrian refugees residing in Jordan. Therefore, further studies of additional factors are recommended. Prompt measures have to be taken to prevent the spread of chronic diseases and improve mental health in this fragile population.
Acknowledgments
The authors thank all Caritas workers in Jordan for their dedication and support. The study financial support was private.
Author Information
Corresponding Author: Omar Salem Gammouh, PhD, Assistant Professor of Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Madaba, Madaba 11822, Jordan. Telephone: 00962 79 0949845. Email: o.gammouh@aum.edu.jo.
Author Affiliations: Ahmed Mohammad Al-Smadi, American University of Madaba, Madaba, Jordan; Loai Issa Tawalbeh, AL-ALBayt University, Mafraq, Jordan; Laurice Sami Khoury, Caritas Jordan, Amman, Jordan.
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