Saudi Journal of Medicine (SJM)
Volume-4 | Issue-12 | 749-758
Original Research Article
Syrian Refugees at Risk of Hepatitis Diseases in Turkey, in Şanliurfa?
Zehra KEKLİK, İbrahim KORUK, Şule ALLAHVERDİ
Published : Dec. 20, 2019
Abstract
Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B/C diseases among Syrian refugees living outside the temporary accommodation centers in Şanlıurfa city center, and individuals' levels of knowledge and risky behaviors related to these diseases. Methods: The research is cross-sectional. It was carried out with 473 Syrian refugees who were living in Şanlıurfa city center outside the temporary accommodation centers in April 2015 – 2016. Cluster sampling method was preferred in the selection of the sample. The questionnaire form, which was prepared by the researchers, was applied, and a venous blood sample was collected from the individuals during data collection. HBsAg, Anti-HBs, Anti-HBc total and Anti-HCV levels of the blood samples were examined. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square, and Mann-Whitney U tests were used in the evaluation of the data. Statistical analyses were performed at 95% confidence level. p<0.05 value was accepted as statistically significant. Results: Of the Syrians, 62.2% were women and 37.8% men, with a median age of 34.0. 25.6% of participants had never attended school, and 82.2% of them were married. 57.3% of asylum seekers were Arabian, and 41.9% were Kurdish. 80.1% of them didn't know enough Turkish to communicate. Participants' average monthly income was 171$. An average of 8.6 individuals was living in the household, and the individual/room rate was 3.2. 60.3% of Syrian refugees had not heard of hepatitis B disease, and 69.1% of them had not heard of hepatitis C disease. Only 2.3% (n=11) of the individuals correctly answered all the questions about the transmission and prevention of hepatitis B/C diseases. 1.7% of Syrian refugees were HBsAg positive, 23.9% were Anti-HBc total positive, and 0.4% of them were Anti-HCV positive. 25.2% of Syrian refugees were anti-HBS positive, while 7.1% were immunized with the hepatitis B vaccine. There was no statistically significant difference in the distribution of HBsAg and Anti-HC