Knowledge And Awareness On Occurrence/incidence Of Different Diseases (Disease Burden) Among The Rohingya Refugee People: A Cross Sectional Study On Fdmn Community In Rohingya Refugee Settlement, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh
Authors: - Md Jahedul Islam , - Prof. Dr. AMAM Zonaed Siddiki , - Prof. Dr. Sharmin Chowdhury , - Kazi Mahbub Ur Rahman , - Prof. Dr. Mohammad Alamgir Hossain , - Dr. Moushumi Binta Manik 
Published: October 2023

Background: The Rohingya refugee crisis is a prominent humanitarian issue that has compelled many Rohingya individuals to vacate their residences in Myanmar and seek asylum in nearby nations, with a special emphasis on Bangladesh. Since the commencement of this crisis, the Rohingya refugees have been residing in densely populated and resource-limited settlements, encountering a multitude of health-related difficulties. The prevalence and control of infections inside refugee populations have emerged as a significant issue for humanitarian organizations and public health professionals. Aim of the study: The aim of this study is to determine the knowledge and awareness on occurrence/incidence of different diseases (disease burden) among the Rohingya Refugee people in Rohingya Refugee settlement, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. Methods: A descriptive and cross-sectional survey on Rohingya people (N = 510) living in refugee camps in Bangladesh. Data was collected via face-to-face interviews, after voluntary consent, using a pretested, language validated questionnaire on knowledge and awareness. The non-probability and purposive sampling methods have been used in this study. Results & Discussion: A total of 510 refugee people were enrolled in this study where maximum participants’ age group was 21-30 years (n=224, 43.9%). Male and female respondents’ participation was nearly equal (male: n=264, 51.8%; female: n=246, 48.2%). About half of the respondents (n=277, 54.3%) were illiterate or did not have any institutional education. Satisfactory ideas on different communicable & non-communicable diseases found. Different respondents replied positively about knowledge on different health issues that are related to different diseases. Here 84% respondents knew about water borne diseases, 81% respondents knew about transmission of water borne diseases and 78% respondents knew about signs-symptoms of water borne diseases. 68% respondents replied A, B complex, C, D, E and K are the examples of vitamins, 24% respondents mentioned about K, Fe, Zn and Cu where only 8% respondents told about Na, I, Ca and electrolyte. 72% respondents replied the correct option regarding water borne diseases like Cholera, Tyohoid, Diarrhea, Dysentary, Giardia as example; 69% respondents told the correct option regarding Mosquito Borne Diseases like Malaria, Dengue, Chikunguniya as example; 39% respondents mentioned the correct option regarding Sexually Transmitted Diseases like Gonorrhoea, Syphilis, HIV, Viral Hepatitis as example; 49% respondents replied the correct option regarding Respiratory Tract Infections like Pneumonia, Influenza, Covid-19, TB as example where 39% respondents gave examples of other communicable diseases which were correct. Again when the respondents were asked about examples of non-communicable diseases, 48% replied about Diabetes, Hypertension, MI, Dyslipidemia, Stroke, Osteoporosis. Conclusion: The respondents also mentioned about common communicable & non-communicable diseases in their particular area or camp, diseases they were suffering from and also prevalence of different communicable and non communicable diseases was observed. Policymakers and healthcare providers can enhance health outcomes and facilitate disease prevention among displaced populations by comprehending the factors that impact disease awareness and behaviors. Nevertheless, it is imperative to acknowledge the limitations of the study and take them into account when interpreting the results.