Endocrine Abstracts

Treating Syrian refugees with diabetes, hypertension and Hypothyroidism in Azraq refugee camp, Zarqa, Jordan

Background: Arabian Medical Relief under the donation of UNHCR has been providing primary health care for Syrian refugees at Village six in Azraq refugee camp, Zarqa, Jordan, their services include non–communicable diseases(NCDs)management, apart from other health services. The objectives of this study were to describe the method of care and management for this population, assessing treatment outcomes and challenges met at the NCD clinic.

Methods: A descriptive retrospective cohort study using routinely collected data from the medical files for all active patients attending the NCD clinic at village six in Azraq camp primary health center in 2019.

Results: Of 493 Syrian patients with NCD attending the clinic, 232 patients have hypertension, 109 patients have T2DM, 10 patients have T1DM and 47 patients have hypothyroidism, all of them are active patients visiting the clinic at least every three months in 2019. Regarding all NCD patients, they are predominantly females (57%), and mostly diagnosed before reaching the camp (67%) and most patients are from age group (40–59): 43%.

Outcome: 66% of T2DM patients had controlled DM (HbA1C < 7.5%) 43% of them are either without treatment or on metformin alone, 99% had controlled blood pressure (BP: < 140/90 mmHg) 50% of them are either without treatment or on one medication only, 76% patients of hypothyroidism has a controlled disease (TSH: 0.5–2.5) and none of T1DM patients is controlled

Conclusions: The control rate of NCD at the level of Azraq camp is promising, especially for hypertension, using only essential drug list of the UNHCR, T1DM is very difficult to control and should be investigated more.