Medical conditions among Iraqi refugees in Jordan: data from the United Nations Refugee Assistance Information System

objective: to determine the range and burden of health services utilization among iraqi refugees receiving health assistance in jordan, a country of first asylum. methods: medical conditions, diagnosed in accordance with the tenth revision of the international classification of diseases, were actively monitored from 1january to 31december 2010 using a pilot centralized database in jordan called the refugee assistance information system. findings: there were 27 166 medical visits by 7642 iraqi refugees (mean age: 37.4 years; 49% male; 70% from baghdad; 6% disabled; 3% with a history of torture). chronic diseases were common, including essential hypertension (22% of refugees), visual disturbances (12%), joint disorders (11%) and type ii diabetes mellitus (11%). the most common reasons for seeking acute care were upper respiratory tract infection (11%), supervision of normal pregnancy (4%) and urinary disorders (3%). the conditions requiring the highest number of visits per refugee were cerebrovascular disease (1.46 visits), senile cataract (1.46) and glaucoma (1.44). sponsored care included 31 747 referrals or consultations to a specialty service, 18 432 drug dispensations, 2307 laboratory studies and 1090 x-rays. the specialties most commonly required were ophthalmology, dentistry, gynaecology and orthopaedic surgery. conclusion: iraqi refugees in countries of first asylum and resettlement require targeted health services, health education and sustainable prevention and control strategies for predominantly chronic diseases.