Capturing the evidence on access to essential antibiotics in refugee and migrant populations
The fourth report of the Global Evidence Review on Health and Migration (GEHM) series synthesizes available evidence on access to essential antibiotics in refugee and migrant populations. The report captures evidence across four themes related to antibiotic access and use: access, appropriate use, barriers to access and use, and interventions to improve access and use. Findings of the report suggest that access to and use of antibiotics by refugee and migrant populations is heterogeneous and is significantly influenced by the health systems of the host countries, as well as by non-health policies and factors. Evidence on access to antibiotics, antibiotic use compared with the host population and quality of available antibiotics is almost non-existent for refugee camp settings and for migrants residing in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Given the variability in health systems across countries with different income levels, refugees and migrants face a wide range of barriers in obtaining health services and, by extension, in accessing and using antibiotics. The report provides policy considerations for equitable access and appropriate use of antibiotics among refugee and migrant populations in five areas: global governance, research and surveillance, and barriers to seeking formal care, utilizing formal care and receiving adequate and quality care.
