Table 2 Summary of the characteristics and main findings of studies addressing NCDs among Syrian refugees (n = 19)^{a, b}

The Provision of Health Services in Jordan to Syrian Refugees

Al-Fahoum et al. [29]

Cross-sectional survey of adult SR (n = 120), camp setting in Jordan

HT: 41% in men and 30% among women

46% reported receiving ‘bad’ healthcare (54% men and 42% women) and 75% reporting insufficient healthcare

Prevalence and care-seeking for chronic diseases among Syrian refugees in Jordan Doocy et al. [30]

Cross-sectional survey of adults SR (n = 1550 HH), in non-camp setting in Jordan

One in two HH reported NCD (50.3%). HT (10.7%), arthritis (7.1%), DM (6.1%), CVD (4.1%) and COPD (2.9%)

Among cases who did not seek healthcare, barriers cited were: cost, not knowing where to go, could not afford transportation and no trust in the provider of care

Health service access and utilization among Syrian refugees in Jordan

Doocy et al. [31]

Cross-sectional survey of adult SR (n = 1550 HH, 9580 subjects) outside camps in Jordan

N/A

86.1% of HH reported an adult sought medical care the last time it was needed. 51.5% of services were sought from public sector, 38.7% private, and 9.8% in charity/NGO facilities. 51.8% of HH reported out-of pocket expenditures for medical care.

Chronic Diseases, Lack of Medications, and Depression Among Syrian Refugees in Jordan, 2013–2014

Gammoush et al. [32]

Cross-sectional survey of adult SR (n = 765) (> 18 yrs) attending Caritas in 6 cities [self-reported], living in urban areas in Jordan

N/A

71.9% reported not having enough medications

Health Service Utilization among Syrian Refugees with Chronic Health Conditions in Jordan

Doocy et al. [33]

Cross-sectional survey of adults SR (n = 1550 HH) in non-camp setting in Jordan

Prevalence of NCD (21.1%) [reasons for needing healthcare]

51.5% sought care from public sector, 38.7% private, 9.8 NGO/charity. Cost was a main barrier for not seeking care

Among those who sought healthcare, 50% reported an out of pocket payment for healthcare

Do Chronic Diseases and Availability of Medications Predict Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among Syrian refugees in Jordan?

Al-Samdi et al. [34]

Cross-sectional survey of adults SR (n = 765) (> 18 yrs) attending Caritas health centers in 6 cities in Jordan

N/A

71.9% did not receive sufficient medication

The Perceived Barriers of Health Care Among a Group of Non-camp Syrian Refugees in Jordan

Ay et al. [35]

Cross-sectional survey of SR (n = 196), all age groups in non-camp setting Jordan

N/A

40.4% used PHC, 33.7% public governments, 14.6% private and 4.5 NGOs. Barriers: most frequent is cost followed by structural. Of cost, the cost of transportation was most frequent.63.6% reported an out-of-pocket expenditure for medical service.

Health status and health needs of older refugees from Syria in Lebanon

Strong et al. [36]

Cross-sectional survey of older adults SR (n = 167) (> 60 yrs) attending Caritas clinics in 5 cities in Lebanon

HT (53%), DM (38%), CVD (28), high cholesterol (22%), lung disease (11%).

Cost was the main carrier to healthcare (87%).

Prevalence, care-seeking, and health service utilization for non-communicable diseases among Syrian refugees and host communities in Lebanon

Doocy et al. [37]

Cross-sectional survey of SR (n = 2062 HH), all ages in camps and outside camps and Host community in Lebanon

Over half (50.4%) of refugee and HC (60.2%) reported a member with NCD. Among adults: SR (HT: 7.4%, COPD: 3.8%; CVD 3.3% and DM: 3.3%). HC (HT: 10.7%, DM 6.3%, CVD 5.3%, COPD: 2.6%)

Refugees utilized (PHCC) (57.7%) most often while HC most in private clinics (62.4%). Overall, 69.7% of refugees and 82.7% of HC members reported an out-o f pocket consultation payment.

Pilot Testing and Implementation of a mHealth tool for Non-communicable Disease in a Humanitarian Setting

Doocy et al. [38]

Intervention study on SR and HC (n = 793)

≥40 years or ≥ 18 with HTN or DM in 10 PHC in Lebanon

(Pilot study)

mhealth as effective tool to improve adherence to guidelines and quality of care

Guidelines and mHealth to improve Quality of Hypertension and Type 2 Diabetes Care for Vulnerable Populations in Lebanon: Longitudinal Cohort Sudy

Doocy et al. [39]

Intervention study on SR and HC (n = 793)

≥40 years or ≥ 18 with HTN or DM in 10 PHC in Lebanon

mhealth as effective tool to improve adherence to guidelines and quality of care

Outcomes of coronary artery bypass surgery in Syrian refugees

Demir et al. [40]

Chart review of SR (age = 58 ± 9.23 years) underwent coronary artery bypass surgery (n = 53) in Turkey

In light of the outcomes of the surgery, the authors recommended that patients should receive therapy for chronic disorders in addition to emergency interventions.

An overview of the health status of Syrian refugee children in a tertiary hospital in Turkey

Bucak et al. [41]

Chart review of SR children (n = 104) in Adiyaman hospital, Turkey

T1DM (1%). Chronic malnutrition (using anthropometry) (20%). Anemia (blood results) (50%)

A refugee camp in the center of Europe: clinical charactersitics of asylum seekers arriving in Brussels

Van Berlaer et al. [42]

Chart review Cross-sectional of Asylum seekers (Syrian, Iraqis, Afghanis and Palestinians), (n = 3907) field hospital in Brussels, Belgium [All age groups]

More than 7% of patients reported comorbidities (n = 279), most commonly arterial hypertension (n = 103) and/or diabetes (n = 96). Patients also reported asthma (n = 19)

Experience with migrants on Balkan Route from the Field Hospital on the Slovenian-Croatian Border

Bydzovsky et al. [43]

Chart review Cross-sectional of Asylum seekers (Syrian, Iraqis, Afghanis and Palestinians) (n = 6142) field hospital in Dobova on the Slovenian Croatian borders [All age groups]

CVD: 11.67%, HT: 22%, COPD: 10%, DM 4.8%.

On the ferries: the unmet health care needs of transiting refugees in Greece

Shortall et al. [44]

Chart review of Refugees (Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq) (n = 1405) in Greece [All age groups]

39.4% of diseases were classified as NCD.

Cancer awareness and Barriers to Seeking Medical Help Among Syrian Refugees in Jordan: a Baseline Study

Al Qadire et al. [45]

Cross-sectional survey of SR adult (18–47 years), non-camp setting (n = 240), recruited from healthcare facilities in Jordan

Most common barrier to seeking healthcare is ‘no medical insurance (83.4%).

Cardiovascular disease risk and prevention among Syrian refugees: mixed methods study of Medecins Sans Frontieres programme in Jordan

Collins et al. [46]

Chart review Cross-sectional of SR (ages < 18 and < 40) (n = 2907), recruited from 2 outpatient NCD clinics in Jordan

CVD: 20%, DM: 52%, high waist circumference: 73%

Only 23% had a documented WHO/ISH risk score documented of which 35% were incorrect. 20% of subjects who were eligible were not prescribed lipid lowering medications. Healthcare professionals in the clinics perceived that individual health education sessions were often co-opted by more immediate medication needs

A Preliminary Description of Medical Complaints and Medication Consumption among 375 Syrian Refugees Residing in North Jordan

Gammoh [47]

Chart review Cross-sectional of SR Adults (> 20 yrs) at PHC (n = 220) in Jordan

CVD: 28%; HT: 25%, Respiratory diseases: 7%

N/A