Access and effective use of healthcare services by temporary migrants in Cyprus

Abstract

PurposeThis paper aims to discuss factors affecting temporary migrants' ability to access and make effective use of public and private healthcare services in the Republic of Cyprus (hereafter referred to as Cyprus). These factors are raised in the context of a larger study focusing on the healthcare needs of temporary migrants from non‐EU countries living and working in Cyprus.Design/methodology/approachSemi‐structured interviews with 13 domestic workers and 17 students from Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, India and the Philippines explored migrants' experiences with accessing and utilizing healthcare services in Cyprus. The theoretical framework utilized is grounded in the health capability approach which focuses on individuals' confidence and ability to be effective in achieving optimal health.FindingsThe study highlights issues concerning the accessibility and acceptability of healthcare services which emerge as the result of both the organisation and delivery of healthcare services and social, political and economic structures.Research limitations/implicationsThe implications of this study are relevant in the current debate taking place at the EU level about the opportunities and challenges of temporary migration. Specifically, it is argued that governments and societies should promote individual freedoms and opportunities that empower people to lead the lives they want to live.Originality/valueTemporary migrants form a group whose experiences and needs have not been as extensively investigated as those of other migrant groups, particularly in Cyprus. The capability approach allows for assessing both policy and health systems taking into consideration equity and the impact of multi‐sectoral influences on health.

Access and utilisation of health services by domestic helpers in Cyprus

“…The findings of this study relate to a rather unexplored field and that of domestic helpers and are similar to findings from other research on immigrants. Moreover, the findings of this particular study reinforce and confirm similar findings from the qualitative research that preceded and is related to the use of and access to health services by temporary migrants in Cyprus (Pithara et al ., ).…”

Migrants’ and refugees’ health status and healthcare in Europe: A scoping literature review

“…Two studies showed that lack of information regarding available care options and language barriers were among the factors contributing to migrants' health vulnerability (57,58). A lack of knowledge concerning specific diseases such as HIV and AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases was reported by a quantitative study of 600 migrants from "third countries" in Cyprus (58).…”

Re-thinking health literacy: using a capabilities approach perspective towards realising social justice goals

“…When looking at the health and care experiences of vulnerable individuals and communities, research has highlighted the challenges faced by currenteven critical -health literacy approaches to meet the needs and realities of vulnerable groups such as Migrant and Minority Ethnic groups (MME) (7,21). MME groups have been consistently found to have low levels of health literacy, (7), poorer health outcomes and face inequalities in quality of care and barriers to healthcare access (4,22). Research has highlighted the role of migratory factors, ethnicity and cultural identity (23,24) as well as the quality of interactions with health providers (22,25) in shaping expectations and perceptions of care.…”

“…MME groups have been consistently found to have low levels of health literacy, (7), poorer health outcomes and face inequalities in quality of care and barriers to healthcare access (4,22). Research has highlighted the role of migratory factors, ethnicity and cultural identity (23,24) as well as the quality of interactions with health providers (22,25) in shaping expectations and perceptions of care. Clinician attitudes and biases towards patients have been found to impact in negative ways on quality of care (22,26).…”

“…Health-related decisions and behaviours are in part the result of knowledge, literacy, helpseeking skills and motivation, and self-efficacy, but ultimately shaped and compounded by societal factors, including discrimination, oppressive immigration and employment policies, over which individuals have little or no control (22). In addition, people's ability to engage with what is going on during the clinical consultation is not only the result of literacy levels, but also of more complex psychosocial processes beyond the care context (22,27). For example, research looking into access to breast screening services has found health literacy non-predictive of screening participation for women from minority ethnic backgrounds; emotional barriers such as fear and anxiety were central to participation (21).…”