Some aspects of the health status of internally displaced persons in the city of Kharkiv (pilot study)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess some aspects of the health status of internally displaced persons (IDPs) compared to residents of Kharkiv.  Materials and Methods. Patients were examined at the Municipal Non-Profit Enterprise "City Multiprofile Hospital №18" of the Kharkiv City Council. The compliance of the subjects was determined using the Morisky Medication-Taking Adherence Scale – MMAS (4-item). The Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) was used to assess comorbidity.      Results. In the IDP group (Group 1), there were significantly fewer compliant patients: 47 vs 63 permanent residents of Kharkiv (Group 2), p = 0,02. The HELSI application was used by 8 (17%) patients in Group 1 and 41 (65,1 %) patients in Group 2, p = 0,0001. Messengers for communication with a doctor were used by 14 (22,2 %) patients in Group 2 and none in Group 1. Patients in both groups did not differ by sex, age, or alcohol abuse. Overall, an equal number of them were smokers. However, in Group 2, there were significantly more male smokers than in Group 1. Group 2 differed from Group 1 by a significantly higher educational level (11 (23,4 %) vs 31 (49,2 %) had higher education, p = 0,006). CCI did not differ between the groups overall (4,5 ± 1,8 vs 4,2 ± 1,9 (p = 0,4)). However, when evaluating the indicator by age categories, we observed an earlier onset of diseases included in the CCI calculation. Blood pressure levels were significantly higher in Group 1 than in Group 2: systolic 151 ± 27,8 mmHg vs 139 ± 22,4 mmHg, p = 0,01; diastolic 92 ± 17,3 mmHg vs 85 ± 12,8 mmHg, p = 0,01. Dyslipidemia analysis showed that out of 17 patients in Group 1, it was an incidental finding in 9 (52,9%) individuals, compared to 4 patients out of 21 (19,1 %) in Group 2, p = 0,03. Conclusions. Access to medical care for IDPs may be complicated due to disorientation and adaptation in a new place, as well as insufficient awareness of IDPs regarding the possibilities of applications and messengers. CCI did not differ between IDPs and Kharkiv residents overall. However, when evaluating the indicator by age categories, we observed an earlier onset of diseases included in the CCI calculation. IDPs were significantly less adherent to the standards of treatment for hypertension and dyslipidemia and, as a result, had worse control of blood pressure and lipid levels