Barriers to health care services in migrants and potential strategies to improve accessibility: A qualitative analysis

Kuan, Ai Seon; Chen, Tzeng Ji; Lee, Wui-Chiang

doi:10.1097/jcma.0000000000000224

Cited by 18 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 80 publications

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“…Davies, Basten and Frattini ( 2009 ), and Makandwa ( 2014 ) also reported that language is frequently cited as a major obstacle to the use of healthcare services, as there are no interpreters at the healthcare facilities. Kuan, Chen and Lee ( 2020 ) state that the influx of migrants who cannot communicate in English increases the demand for professional interpreters in healthcare facilities. It was also found in a study conducted by Amukugo, Nangombe and Karera ( 2020 ) from Namibia that the language barrier is complex in the healthcare process, more especially among healthcare providers who cannot communicate in the English language (Saburi 2017 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experiences of migrant mothers attending vaccination services at primary healthcare facilities

Acheampong¹,

Lowane²,

Fernandes³

2023

Health SA Gesondheid

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Background: Migration to South Africa is currently dominated by women and children, for socio-economic and refugee reasons or to utilise the healthcare system for various services. Migrants and refugees are at risk of vaccine-preventable diseases, and many of their children have an incomplete or unknown immunisation status.Aim: This study aimed to explore the experiences of migrant mothers in utilising child immunisation services in primary healthcare facilities.Setting: Ten primary healthcare facilities that were providing immunisation services, located in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, Eastern Cape province, South Africa.Methods: A qualitative research design, making use of in-depth interviews (IDIs) from 18 purposefully selected migrant women, was used for data collection. Thematic content analysis was used to analyse the recorded data of the experiences of study participants in their access to immunisation services.Results: From the IDIs, four themes were identified: difficulty in communicating with the healthcare workers because of language barriers, access challenges, interpersonal barriers and interpersonal relationships were identified in this study, which influenced the utilisation of immunisation services by migrant mothers.Conclusion: The findings of this study support and reinforce the duty of the South African government and healthcare facilities to work together to improve migrant women’s access to immunisation services.Contribution: A positive relationship between healthcare workers and migrant mothers while accessing immunisation services should contribute to reducing child mortality in South Africa and achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3 by the year 2030.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experiences of migrant mothers attending vaccination services at primary healthcare facilities

Acheampong¹,

Lowane²,

Fernandes³

2023

Health SA Gesondheid

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“…There is the risk of unconscious bias acting as a barrier to equity of access through the offer, or lack of to RGCS. Whilst no access to technology barriers were reported, several HCPs raised concerns about potential consequences due to language barriers for couples from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds being able to access online material without HCP assistance [ 29 ]. The availability of online translation services may help overcome these concerns [ 30 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The more you do it, the easier it gets: using behaviour change theory to support health care professionals offering reproductive genetic carrier screening

et al. 2022

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Recent advances in genomic sequencing have improved the accessibility of reproductive genetic carrier screening (RGCS). As awareness and interest grows, non-genetic health care professionals are increasingly offering RGCS to consumers. We conducted a qualitative interview study informed by behaviour change theory to identify influences on health care professionals considered as ‘early adopters’ offering RGCS through Mackenzie’s Mission, an Australian national research study investigating the implementation of free RGCS to couple’s preconception or in early pregnancy. Interviews were deductively analysed using the Theoretical Domains Framework to examine barriers and enabling factors. In total, we interviewed 31 health care professionals, who were primarily general practitioners (n = 23) offering RGCS through Mackenzie’s Mission. Upon analysis, 15 barriers and 44 enablers to implementation were identified and categorised across three health care professional target behaviours 1. Engaging with RGCS, 2. Identifying eligible patients, and 3. Offering RGCS. Whilst all Theoretical Domains Framework domains were present, barriers were predominantly categorised as ‘Environmental Context and Resources’ e.g., lack of time, followed by ‘Knowledge’ e.g., lack of understanding about genetics and ‘Beliefs about Capabilities’ e.g., concern about giving high risk results to patients. Although health care professionals expressed a preference for offering RGCS through a comprehensive and supported model of care, such as Mackenzie’s Mission, barriers remain. By understanding what drives current health care professionals’ behaviour towards offering RGCS, behaviour change theory provides an avenue to direct future efforts based on evidence and improve service delivery.

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“…22 Although entitled to universal healthcare in Taiwan, migrant workers still experienced health disparities due to linguistic and financial barriers. 23 , 24 In respond to the pandemic, the Taiwanese government took a top-down approach to communicating with the public by putting out leaflets in different languages with information about COVID-19. Even with the government implementing intensive monitoring and prevention policies, the strategies were not immediately focused on migrant workers, 25 and the multilingual content was criticized for its symbolic multilingualism.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring low-income migrant workers’ health information-seeking behavior during COVID-19 in Taiwan: A qualitative study

2022

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Background COVID-19 pandemic is reported to exacerbate existing vulnerabilities of marginalized groups, and the lack of self-care can lead to the spread of the virus across society. Therefore, effective responses to the challenges imposed by the health crisis should consider the health information needs of migrant workers. Objective We aimed to explore how migrant low-income workers seek health information and how their health-related information needs were met during a health crisis. We also investigated migrant workers’ preferred information sources and types of content with the theoretical concept of health literacy to understand the development of health competencies among migrant workers. Methods We conducted semi-structured interviews with Thai low-income migrant workers. A total of 13 Thai migrant workers participated in the study, among whom five were undocumented. The interviews were audio-taped, transcribed, and analyzed with the thematic analysis approach. Results Our findings indicated that migrant workers’ health literacy and health information behavior could be improved through technology when facing a health crisis. We found that participants sought health information proactively to reduce their perceived risks. However, there is still space for design to support the ability to process jargon information and apply local policy, such as providing easy-to-understand, accurate, and timely information. The findings of this study provide some insights for the authority and technological design to respond to migrant workers’ health information needs. Conclusions This study acknowledges and understands the needs of vulnerable migrant workers in society. The findings of this study provide insights for the authority and technological design to respond to migrant workers’ health information needs. We also outline the areas worth further investigation, such as the communication between information seekers and providers, and the navigation of the healthcare system for migrants in the host country.

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Barriers to health care services in migrants and potential strategies to improve accessibility: A qualitative analysis

Cited by 18 publications

References 80 publications

Experiences of migrant mothers attending vaccination services at primary healthcare facilities

Experiences of migrant mothers attending vaccination services at primary healthcare facilities

The more you do it, the easier it gets: using behaviour change theory to support health care professionals offering reproductive genetic carrier screening

Exploring low-income migrant workers’ health information-seeking behavior during COVID-19 in Taiwan: A qualitative study

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