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University of Mississippi

Publication Date

Fall 2015

Program Name

Jordan: Health and Community Development

Abstract

Due to the fact that Syrian refugees’ situation subjects them to unusual, acute stresses, health professionals must proactively screen them for mental disorders. Many studies show that the correlation between diabetes and mental illness is very strong, thus treatment of diabetic refugees should consider the mental health of the patient in order to ensure successful management of the disease. Additionally, health education should be emphasized as both a route to successful disease management and a route to overall health literacy that can empower the refugee to make important and efficient decisions about accessing health services. This study examined the integration of education and mental health care into the treatment of diabetic, Syrian refugee women by investigating the content, context, purpose, and actors that contribute to diabetes treatment in Jordan. The methods used were interviews, surveys, and a collection of relevant policy and training documents. The various methods of research found: health education is low among refugees, many doctors are forced to remove education from consultations due to time constraints, mental health issues are systemically separated from diabetes treatment, and doctors do not probe for common symptoms of depression during consultations. While the sample sizes were not large enough to be conclusive in some instances, this qualitative study was effective in outlining the general overview of diabetes treatment in Syrian refugee women.

Disciplines

Mental and Social Health | Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases | Public Health | Women's Health

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