Major health concerns of refugees in an emergency department: A singlecenter experience in the country hosting greatest number of refugees

Abstract

Objective: Turkey hosts a large number of refugees. The extensive use of the emergency services (ED) created a high burden on the health care system. This study was conducted to determine ED utilization by refugees at a tertiary care center. Patients and Methods: Pediatric patients presenting with trauma and all adult patients were included in the study. Demographic information, country of origin, date of admission and triage category, complaint on admission, hospital resource utilization frequency, final diagnosis, and outcome of patients were recorded. Results: A total number of 762 patients (1266 cases) were included. The median age was 30 (range 23-39) and 317 (41.6%) were male. 627 (82.3%) of the patients were from Syria. Considering hospital resource utilization of 1266 cases, radiologic imaging was performed on 28.1% and laboratory testings were performed on 50.2% of cases. 1128 (89.1 %) of all cases were discharged, while 119/1266 (9.4 %) cases were admitted to wards and 19/1266 (1.5 %) cases to intensive care units. Conclusion: There is not enough data regarding in which health care areas refugees need care. Access to primary care specific to refugees may reduce ED utilization. Especially, routine gynecologic primary care and follow-up centers are needed for refugees in Turkey.