The effect of camp residency on the physical, psychological, social and environmental aspects of Syrian refugees’ HRQoL in Jordan

Purpose This study aims to assess health-related quality of life among Syrian refugees in Jordan, compare it between those residing inside and outside camps and assess its association with sociodemographic characteristics, including income level. Design/methodology/approach A comparative, correlational cross-sectional design was used with a sample of 151 adult Syrian refugees in Jordan residing inside (n = 60) and outside (n = 91) Al-Azraq refugee camp. The WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire was used to assess health-related quality of life in terms of overall score and physical health, psychological health, social relationships and environmental domains. Findings Overall health-related quality of life scores across the sample were low. The environmental domain had the lowest score at 51.4 out of 100. When compared to the outside camp group, the inside camp group scored significantly lower in environmental domain (p = 0.015), but significantly higher in social relationships domain (p = 0.047). After controlling for income level, the inside camp group still scored significantly lower in environmental domain (p = .040) and significantly higher in social relationships domain (p = 0.03). Social implications Syrian refugees in Jordan suffer generally low health-related quality of life. While improvements in environmental living conditions inside Syrian refugee camps in Jordan are needed, the social well-being of refugees residing outside camps in Jordan should be enhanced via programs with the help of nurses and other health-care providers. Originality/value This study is among the first to compare Syrian refugees inside and outside camps in Jordan for their HRQoL levels, both overall and by domain.