Social capital, health-seeking behavior and quality of life among refugees in Zimbabwe: a cross-sectional study

Social capital is an essential determinant of health that contributes significantly to quality of life. Social capital has potential of improving the health and well-being of refugees. Refugees in Zimbabwe are confined to an isolation camp making social networks a necessity for survival and psychosocial support. The purpose of this paper is to identify if social capital has effects on wellness and well-being (quality of life) of individuals in a confined setting such as a refugee camp.

A cross-sectional study was conducted at Tongogara Refugee Camp, Zimbabwe. The World Bank Integrated Questionnaire on Social Capital was adjusted to develop data collection tools. The parameters of social capital, economic, social and cultural capital, were used as the framework of study.

A total of 164 respondents were interviewed (62.8 percent females). A total of 98 percent were affiliated to a religious group and 30 percent of the interviewees stated that at least one member of their household was on social media. Only 18 percent communicated with people in their home country and 75 percent used social media to create new links.

The various opportunities for psychosocial support that exist within refugee populations can be used to formulate interventions aimed at improving health and quality of life of refugees.

This paper offers insight into the effects of social capital on refugee health and quality of life among refugees in Zimbabwe.