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Barriers to Accessing Medicines among Syrian Asylum Seekers and Refugees in a German Federal State

Author

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  • Saleh Aljadeeah

    (Institute of Medical Management and Health Sciences, University of Bayreuth, Prieserstr. 2, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany)

  • Veronika J. Wirtz

    (Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02118, USA)

  • Eckhard Nagel

    (Institute of Medical Management and Health Sciences, University of Bayreuth, Prieserstr. 2, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany)

Abstract

In Germany, asylum seekers and refugees (AS&Rs) face challenges when accessing healthcare services including medicines. The aim of this study was to explore the barriers to accessing medicines among Syrian AS&Rs in the state of North Rheine-Westphalia, and to provide an understanding of their perspectives towards taking medicines that contain alcohol or pork products. This study is based on a cross-sectional survey using a combination of sampling methods. We used descriptive statistics to analyze quantitative data. Participants’ answers to an open-ended question yielded qualitative data that were categorized based on the thematic areas they discussed or addressed. Among the 1641 respondents, language barriers had more of an effect on the access to medicines than any other factor studied. The effect of language barriers on access to medicines was more pronounced for female participants, those who were older than 50 years, and participants who had chronic diseases in comparison to the other groups of participants. Male participants and those younger than 50 years of age showed more acceptance towards taking medicines that contain alcohol or pork products. Based on our results, we recommend providing more support for AS&Rs to learn the German language, particularly for female refugees, older refugees, and those with chronic diseases or disabilities. We also recommend providing translated medical leaflets for patients who wish to receive them in their native language. Healthcare providers should try to consider the special conditions of AS&Rs patients and take into account their perspectives about treatments and diseases.

Suggested Citation

  • Saleh Aljadeeah & Veronika J. Wirtz & Eckhard Nagel, 2021. "Barriers to Accessing Medicines among Syrian Asylum Seekers and Refugees in a German Federal State," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-16, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:2:p:519-:d:477856
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kevin Claassen & Pia Jäger, 2018. "Impact of the Introduction of the Electronic Health Insurance Card on the Use of Medical Services by Asylum Seekers in Germany," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-11, April.
    2. Kohlenberger, Judith & Buber-Ennser, Isabella & Rengs, Bernhard & Leitner, Sebastian & Landesmann, Michael, 2019. "Barriers to health care access and service utilization of refugees in Austria: Evidence from a cross-sectional survey," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 123(9), pages 833-839.
    3. Pia Jäger & Kevin Claassen & Notburga Ott & Angela Brand, 2019. "Does the Electronic Health Card for Asylum Seekers Lead to an Excessive Use of the Health System? Results of a Survey in Two Municipalities of the German Ruhr Area," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-9, April.
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    5. Karl Puchner & Evika Karamagioli & Anastasia Pikouli & Costas Tsiamis & Athanasios Kalogeropoulos & Eleni Kakalou & Elena Pavlidou & Emmanouil Pikoulis, 2018. "Time to Rethink Refugee and Migrant Health in Europe: Moving from Emergency Response to Integrated and Individualized Health Care Provision for Migrants and Refugees," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-6, May.
    6. Kayvan Bozorgmehr & Oliver Razum, 2015. "Effect of Restricting Access to Health Care on Health Expenditures among Asylum-Seekers and Refugees: A Quasi-Experimental Study in Germany, 1994–2013," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(7), pages 1-22, July.
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    1. Saleh Aljadeeah & Veronika J. Wirtz & Eckhard Nagel, 2021. "Correction: Aljadeeah, S., et al. Barriers to Accessing Medicines among Syrian Asylum Seekers and Refugees in a German Federal State. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18 , 519," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-2, March.

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