Health Status of 20,769 Rohingya Refugees in Cox’s Bazar Refugee Camp, Bangladesh
Health Status of Rohingya Refugees in Cox’s Bazar
Abstract
We aimed to access the burden of primary health issues in two refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar. We compared the burden of disease between different age groups and gender. Data on primary health issues, referrals, maternal and child services, and family planning services were collected from November 2017 to May 2018. The sample population was 20,769 Rohingya refugees who had sought medical care; 38.2% (7,935) were males and 61.8% (12,834) were females. Those younger than five years of age constituted 28.1% (5,831), and those five years old and older constituted 71.9% (14,938). The findings revealed that 48% of the sample population sought medical care due to infectious diseases. Acute respiratory infection (29.3%) was the most frequent primary health problem encountered by refugees, followed by diarrhea (9.2%), skin problems (4.6%), injuries/wounds (2.0%) and unexplained fever causes (1.4%). There was a significant difference in the infection rate (p<0.001) between those younger than five years of age (71.7%) and those five years of age or older (38.6%). For communicable diseases, we recommended regular health awareness programs to reduce and prevent outbreaks. For noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), regular treatment and monitoring were essential. Improving the health and social status of refugees will definitely benefit the host country.
Keywords :
Public health; refugees; refugee camp,
Abstrak
Kajian ini bertujuan untuk melihat isu kesihatan primer di dua kem pelarian di Cox’s Bazar iaitu di Kutupalong dan di Balukhali. Perbandingan kes-kes penyakit dijalankan antara kumpulan umur dan jantina yang berbeza. Data mengenai isu kesihatan primer, rujukan, perkhidmatan ibu dan anak serta perkhidmatan perancangan keluarga dikumpul dari November 2017 sehingga Mei 2018. Dari 20,769 pelarian Rohingya, 38.2% (7,935) adalah lelaki dan 61.8% (12,834) adalah perempuan. Dari kesemua pelarian, 28.1% (5,831) adalah kanak-kanak yang kurang dari 5 tahun dan 71.9% (14,938) berumur 5 tahun dan ke atas. Semasa kajian, 45.5% (9,441) pelarian mengunjungi klinik di Balukhali dan 54.5% (11,328) mengunjungi klinik di Kutupalong. Hasil kajian menunjukkan 48% kunjungan rawatan kesihatan adalah disebabkan penyakit berjangkit dan 52% bukan penyakit berjangkit. Masalah kesihatan primer yang tertinggi adalah jangkitan pernafasan akut (29.3%) diikuti cirit-birit (9.2%), masalah kulit (4.6%), luka-luka serta kecederaan (2.0%) dan demam yang tidak dikenalpasti (1.4%). Dari segi penyakit berjangkit, terdapat perbezaan signifikan (p<0.001) di antara kanak-kanak yang berumur kurang dari 5 tahun (71.7%) dan mereka yang berumur 5 tahun dan ke atas termasuk orang dewasa (38.6%). Oleh itu, bagi penyakit berjangkit, kami mengesyorkan progam kesedaran kesihatan yang kerap supaya dapat mengurangkan dan mengelakkan daripada wabak penyakit. Untuk penyakit tidak berjangkit, rawatan dan pemantauan kerap hendaklah dilakukan. Penambahbaikan kesihatan dan status sosial pelarian pasti memberi faedah kepada negara tuan rumah pelarian.
Kata Kunci :
Kem pelarian; kesihatan awam; pelarian,
Correspondance Address
Dr. Shalimar Abdullah. Executive Council Member, MERCY Malaysia, MCOBA Building, 42 Jln Syed Putra, Taman Persiaran Desa, 50460 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Tel: +603-2276 2116 Email: kelapa44@yahoo.com
