Disability among Syrian refugees living in Sultanbeyli, Istanbul: Results from a population-based survey

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259249
• Publication Date: 2021-11-01T17:28:55Z
• Authors: Sarah Polack; Nathaniel Scherer; Hisem Yonso; Selin Volkan; Isotta Pivato; Ahmad Shaikhani; Dorothy Boggs; Ammar Hasan Beck; Oluwarantimi Atij...; Gülten Deniz; Ahmed Örücü; İbrahim Akıncı; Shaffa Hameed; Ceren Acarturk; Andrea Patterson
• Keywords: Depression; Receipt

Objectives To estimate the prevalence of disability among Syrian refugees living in Sultanbeyli district, Istanbul and compare people with without disabilities terms demographic socio-economic characteristics. Methods Using municipality refugee database as sampling frame, 80 clusters 50 (aged 2+ years) were selected using probability proportionate to size random selection households within clusters. Disability assessment included: i) self-reported difficulties functioning (using Washington Group Short Set-Enhanced tool Child Functioning Modules), ii) Rapid Assessment Musculoskeletal Impairment iii) screening for symptoms common mental disorders children aged 8–17. Results The overall was 24.7% (95% CI 22.1–27.4), when including self-reporting a lot difficulty/cannot do at least functional domain (15%, 95% 13.1–17.2), moderate/severe MSI (8.7%, 7.6–9.9), and/or symptomatic anxiety, depression PTSD 8–17 (21.0%, 18.2–23.9). Men significantly less likely be paid work compared their peers (aOR 0.3 0.2–0.5). Overall 60% included one person disability. Households had higher dependency ratio, lower proportion working-age adults work, more female headed receipt social protection schemes (p<0.05). Conclusion is Sultanbeyli. People this setting experience greater vulnerability poverty exclusion from highlighting an urgent need inclusive services, programmes policies that are developed implemented partnership disabilities.