BACKGROUND: Surviving a warzone inflicts harmful consequences on the physical health and the psychosocial wellbeing of children. This study aimed at exploring the physical and psychosocial perceived state of health of displaced Syrian refugee children in Jordan.
METHODS: A cross-sectional explorative design was applied. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data through face-to-face interviews with 250 Syrian refugee children. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used.
RESULTS: Children had fair levels of physical health; their health concerns were minor. Psychosocially, 25% (n = 63) suffered from loneliness and 24% (n = 59) reported feeling depressed. The majority of children (>60%) had low rates of somatic pain. Age had a negative correlation with hyperactivity (r = -.14, p = .034); gender differences were found in anger expression and anger trait (p < .05).
CONCLUSIONS: The results in this study highlight a number of physical and psychosocial health concerns among refugee children. The health needs of displaced Syrian children need to be addressed using comprehensive assessment and care. Our findings documented the physical and psychosocial health needs of the displaced Syrian children in Jordan and addressed areas of focus to guide health promotion interventions and community health efforts for them.
Language: en
Keywords
violence; mental health; pediatrics; somatic problems; War trauma