Health-seeking behaviour and practices among immigrant retail traders in an urban setting in North-Western Ghana

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to investigate the health-care-seeking behaviour and practices of West African migrants who reside and operate in Wa, Ghana, as itinerant retailers. Design/methodology/approach The study was cross-sectional and used the quantitative research approach. The analysis was done on a target population comprising 122 itinerant immigrant retail traders in Wa, Ghana. Fisher’s exact test and logistic regression were used to analyse the data. Findings Malaria was the commonest disease among them. Five in ten of the migrants preferred to report malaria episodes to a private health facility than to a government facility. Significant associations were identified between four dimensions (health facility, self-medication, home remedy and consult others) of health-seeking behaviour, and some background characteristics. The main reason why migrants prefer government health facilities was because of their better health personnel. They self-medicated because of easy accessibility of over-the-counter medicine shops. Also, when ill, the migrants usually consulted family members who would be in a position to take them home when their ailment worsens. Research limitations/implications Snowball sampling was used to select the respondents which could potentially lead to a sample that is not fully representative of the population in general. Originality/value Studies concerning migration and health in Ghana have been focused on internal migrants. Yet, minority immigrant traders equally encounter adverse health conditions but limited studies have been conducted to espouse their health-seeking behaviour. This study imperatively contributes to the subject matter that has limited literature in the country.

Perceived risks, challenges and coping strategies among West African immigrant entrepreneurs in Ghana

“…Similar dimensions on the risks of informal itinerant trading were observed by Ref. [ 18 ], and [ 38 ]. They found that many itinerant immigrant traders considered informal retail trade as an uncertain and risky business venture.…”

“…They found that many itinerant immigrant traders considered informal retail trade as an uncertain and risky business venture. Hence, many immigrant entrepreneurs regard itinerant retail trade as a tiring work and a necessity [ 18 , 39 ]. In relation to the working conditions of immigrant entrepreneurs [ 1 , 22 , [40] , [41] , [42] ], and [ 43 ] maintained that it is a function of both the physical and business policy environment in which they operate.…”

“…A review of the literature in the Ghanaian context reveal no recent academic publications on the perceived risks, challenges and coping strategies among West African immigrant entrepreneurs. Meanwhile [ 5 , 17 ], and [ 18 ] have established that the immigrant population in Ghana is clearly dominated by those employed in the informal retail sector. Therefore, this study analysed the perceived risk/challenges and coping strategies among West African immigrant entrepreneurs residing and working in the Accra Metropolis, the nation's capital as itinerant retailers.…”

Retailing Strategies of West African Itinerant Immigrant Traders in Ghana

“…According to Yendaw and Tampah-Naah (2021) and Turner and Oswin (2015), itinerant retailing of wares is a common source of livelihood for many people in many developing countries, and it is principally undertaken in urban areas with a huge customer base. The term 'itinerant immigrant trader/retailer' has been used in this study to include a wide range of immigrant retailers who transact their retail trades outside the formal arrangements of business operations instituted by the state (Yendaw et al, 2019;Harris, 2009;Hart, 1973).…”

Finding a home away from home: Housing choices of itinerant immigrant retailers in the Wa municipality, Ghana

“…Large-scale intra-African migration (especially for itinerant immigrants) in the sub-Saharan African region has only elicited scientific research interest in terms of understanding business practices, health-seeking behaviour, points of entry and business strategies (Yendaw et al, 2019;2021;Yendaw & Tampah-Naah, 2021). Berriane's (2018) work in Morocco which focused on itinerant immigrants revealed them to be temporary settlers seeking to transition to Europe but failed to discuss their residential choices.…”