Factors affecting the access to health services among waste collectors in Hanoi, Vietnam: A qualitative study

Abstract

Background Waste collection is a common practice in Vietnam. In general, the working and living conditions of waste collectors are poor. Thus, they might be exposed to occupational and environmental risk factors, which affect their health or could further exacerbate their health vulnerabilities. Moreover, they have difficulties to access to health services. Objective The aim of this study was to understand factors affecting the access to health services among waste collectors in Hanoi, Vietnam. Methods The qualitative design was used for this study. A total of 30 in-depth interviews with waste collectors and 3 focused group discussions were conducted in Hanoi, Vietnam in 2017. Results Findings showed the participants considered factors that affect the access to health services among waste collectors such as geographical accessibility, the availability of health facilities, the acceptance of the quality of health services, health insurance, and affordability. Conclusions Policy makers concerned with public health and social work need to have the suitable policies in order to promote actions on the access to health services among waste collectors.

Factors affecting access to healthcare for young people in the informal sector in developing countries: a systematic review

“…Is the analysis method clearly explained and appropriate for the study? (9)(10)(11). The majority (n = 14) of the studies were conducted in developing countries.…”

“…Eight studies (8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)24) discovered affordability as one of the significant barriers to healthcare for young informal workers across diverse industries. Five studies (7-11) identified the cost of seeking formal healthcare as one of the problems young informal workers are unable to seek the healthcare they need.…”

“…Sychareun et al (7) and Akazili et al (11) argue that informal workers are lower earners and, therefore, they may undergo financial distress in accessing healthcare. Two studies (8,9) identified the direct cost of transportation as another component of affordability that hindered young informal workers from accessing healthcare because of the distance from where they live to the hospitals. Five studies (8,9,11,12,24) identified the absence of health insurance for young informal workers, leading to high out-of-pocket payments and high costs of healthcare.…”

“…Two studies (8,9) identified the direct cost of transportation as another component of affordability that hindered young informal workers from accessing healthcare because of the distance from where they live to the hospitals. Five studies (8,9,11,12,24) identified the absence of health insurance for young informal workers, leading to high out-of-pocket payments and high costs of healthcare. There was also evidence that other indirect affordability factors, such as long waiting time (9) and the loss of daily/weekly wages and jobs (7, 11), hindered young informal workers from seeking healthcare.…”

Garbage collectors, far from health: A study of dermatitis in Middle Java, Indonesia

“…Pekerjaan mengumpulkan sampah adalah pekerjaan yang berpotensi menimbulkan beberapa penyakit (Cruvinel, 2019), di antaranya adalah penyakit dermatitis (Nam et al, 2020). Prevalensi kejadian dermatitis dapat dipengaruhi frekuensi kontak yang sering dan masa kerja yang lama (Pradananingrum et al, 2018).…”