Access to Health Care for Pregnant Arabic-Speaking Refugee Women and Mothers in Germany

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 437-447 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Henry ◽  
Christian Beruf ◽  
Thomas Fischer

Refugee women often encounter multiple barriers when accessing ante-, peri-, and postnatal care. The aim of this study was to investigate how premigration experiences, conceptions about pregnancy and childbirth, health literacy, and language skills influence access to health care, experiences of health care, and childbirth. A total of 12 semi-structured interviews with refugee women from Iraq, Syria, and Palestine were conducted in the city of Dresden. Content analysis was applied using Levesque’s access model as a framework. Results indicate that conceptions of pregnancy and childbirth and premigration experiences influence women’s behaviors and experiences of pregnancy and childbirth. They contribute to barriers in accessing health care and lead to negative health outcomes. In view of limited health literacy, poor language skills, lack of information, and missing translators, female relatives in countries of origin remain an important source of information. Improved access to services for refugee women is needed.

2020 ◽  
Vol 69 (4) ◽  
pp. 401-418
Author(s):  
Annamária Uzzoli ◽  
Zoltán Egri ◽  
Dániel Szilágyi ◽  
Viktor Pál

The availability of health care services is an important issue, however, improving availability of health care services does not necessarily mean better accessibility for everybody. The main aim of this study is to find out how better availability in the care of acute myocardial infarction vary with accessibility of patients’ geographical location within Hungary. We applied statistical analysis and interview techniques to unfold the role of spatiality in the conditions of access to health care. Results of statistical analysis indicate significant health inequalities in Hungary. Decreasing national mortality rates of acute myocardial infarction, has been coupled by increasing spatial inequalities within the country especially at micro-regional level. According to in-depth interviews with local health care stakeholders we defined factors that support access to health care as well as important barriers. The supporting factors are related to the improvement of availability (i.e. infrastructural developments), while geographical distance, lack of material and human resources, or low level of health literacy proved to be the most relevant barriers. Main conclusion is that barriers to accessibility and availability are not only spatial but are also based on individual stages of acute myocardial infarction care. The development of cardiac catheter centres in Hungary has improved the short-term chances of infarction survival, but long-term survival chances have worsened in recent years due to deficiencies in rehabilitation care as well as low level of health literacy.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 6-12
Author(s):  
M. Korkmaz ◽  
IA. Avci

<b>Purpose:</b> Migration is a complex situational transition that rarely occurs in isolations. Use of the transitions framework allows for recognition of the complex, longitudinal, and iterative components and processes of migration. Refugees experience a long and anduous transition. Refugees may experience significant changes in health status. The study purpose to investigate the change in health perception of refugee women within the framework of transition theory. <br><b>Materials and methods:</b> This study is a qualitative study. Data were collected with a semi-structured interview form at in-depth interviews. Obtained data were analyzed with inductive content analysis. Analysis of interview data provided by thirty Syrian refugee women. <br><b>Results:</b> The refugee women’s changing in health perception were found to comprise the following themes "pre-migration access to health care system and medical practise", " experiences of immigration process", "access to health care system in Turkey and medical practice,” and “change in health perception" and subthemes. <br><b>Conclusions:</b> Health perception for Syrian refugees women is status of well-being or not. Health status of refugees women got worse during immigration process and postmigration process. Because of refugee women in the face of some problems such as language barriers, lack of socio-economic situation, inadequacy of access to health care system all of these cause to be negatively change in health perceptions.


Dementia ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 147130122110553
Author(s):  
Gözde Duran-Kiraç ◽  
Özgül Uysal-Bozkir ◽  
Ronald Uittenbroek ◽  
Hein van Hout ◽  
Marjolein I. Broese van Groenou

The number of persons with dementia from ethnic minority backgrounds is increasing. However, ethnic minority groups use health care services less frequently compared to the general population. We conducted a scoping review and used the theoretical framework developed by Levesque to provide an overview of the literature concerning access to health care for ethnic minority people with dementia and (in)formal caregivers. Studies mentioned barriers in (1) the ability to perceive a need for care in terms of health literacy, health beliefs and trust, and expectations; (2) the ability to seek care because of personal and social values and the lack of knowledge regarding health care options; and (3) lack of person-centered care as barrier to continue with professional health care. Studies also mentioned barriers experienced by professionals in (1) communication with ethnic minorities and knowledge about available resources for professionals; (2) cultural and social factors influencing the professionals’ attitudes towards ethnic minorities; and (3) the appropriateness of care and lacking competencies to work with people with dementia from ethnic minority groups and informal caregivers. By addressing health literacy including knowledge about the causes of dementia, people with dementia from ethnic minorities and their informal caregivers may improve their abilities to access health care. Health care professionals need to strengthen their competencies in order to facilitate access to health care for this group.


2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Polic-Vizintin ◽  
M Škes ◽  
M Marić Bajs ◽  
Z Šostar ◽  
I Portolan Pajić ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Researchers into health inequalities consistently show disadvantages in health status for various ethnic minority groups. Socially and economically Roma are one of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged groups. The Roma population of Zagreb approximates 2.755 according to the 2011 census. “Health promotion in Roma minority” is public health initiative undertaken in the City of Zagreb in 2018. Objectives The aim was to recognize the need for early risk factors prevention, to increase health literacy and to improve access to health-care in Roma minority. The stakeholders involved in this program were Roma NGOs, Andrija Stampar Institute of Public Health, local Medical Centre and City office for health. The role of Roma activist was inportant for including Roma population. Results In order to assess the health status and health-related lifestyle attributes a multidisciplinary approach was carried out including a total of 141 members of the Roma minority living in three different quarters. Activities included preventive exams, conducted workshops “Reproductive health”, “Access right to health-care”and “Healthy lifestyles”. Hypertension was found in 15,6% Roma using standard diagnostic criteria (i.e. BP ≥ 140/90 mm Hg). High blood shugar was found in 16,3% Roma. Screening mammography exams were also carried out including 73 Roma women over 50. BI-RADS 3 category was found in 17 women (23,3%) and BI-RADS 4 + 5 category was found in one woman. Conclusions The multisectoral collaboration and the involment of Roma activist could help to achieve better inclusion of Roma population, better perception of the health messages and behavioural changes. Health sector should promote and advocate for healthier lifestyle, but community and policy are to support and complement the actions. Access to health care cannot be discussed in isolation from other problems this population group experiences, such as poverty, restricted access to education and social exclusion. Key messages The empowerment is an outcome of health literacy, but does not automatically lead to empowerment. Individual’s social and cultural context must be in focus. The involment of Roma activist could help to achieve better results.


2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (13) ◽  
pp. 1839-1849 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalie Ramsay ◽  
Rahat Hossain ◽  
Mo Moore ◽  
Michael Milo ◽  
Allison Brown

Persons struggling with housing remain significantly disadvantaged when considering access to health care. Effective advocacy for their needs will require understanding the factors which impact their health care, and which of those most concern patients themselves. A qualitative descriptive study through the lens of a transformative framework was used to identify barriers and facilitators to accessing health care as perceived by people experiencing homelessness in the regional municipality of Niagara, Canada. In-person, semi-structured interviews with 16 participants were completed, and inductive thematic analysis identified nine barriers and eight facilitators. Barriers included affordability, challenges finding primary care, inadequacy of the psychiatric model, inappropriate management, lack of trust in health care providers, poor therapeutic relationships, systemic issues, and transportation and accessibility. Facilitators included accessibility of services, community health care outreach, positive relationships, and shelters coordinating health care. Knowledge of the direct experiences of marginalized individuals can help create new health policies and enhance the provision of clinical care.


2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
H Kuusio ◽  
A Seppänen ◽  
E Lilja ◽  
T Vehko ◽  
S Jokela ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Prior studies suggest that people with foreign background (PFB) often face problems in access to health care, although access to care may vary between the different PFB groups. This study explores 1) the potential differences in perceived access to care between different PFB groups and the general population, and 2) if marital status, education, employment, self-perceived health, long-term illness, length of stay, age moved to Finland or language skills are associated with access to care among PFB. Methods The data were gathered from the cross-sectional survey on well-being among the PFB (FinMONIK), conducted in Finland 2018. Its random sample consisted of 12 877 persons, aged 18-64 years and the response rate was 53%. Three items were used to assess perceived access to care: I was able to contact the place of care smoothly, I was able to make an appointment without undue delay and I was examined without undue delay (e.g. laboratory tests, X-ray, ultrasound). Logistic regression was used to test which factors were associated with accesses to care, adjusted for age, sex and region. Results After controlling for age, sex and region, the results showed significant differences in access to care among different migrant groups and the general population (p &lt; 0.001). Of those of Estonian background 37% felt that access to care was smooth while only 17% of those coming from Middle-East, and 26% of the general population. Employed persons, persons who had good self-perceived health, and people with no long-term illness, and those who had lived in Finland less than five years, had better access to health care. Marital status, education, language skills and age moved to Finland, were not associated with access to care. Conclusions Large inequities in access to care were identified among people with foreign background. Access to services seems to be better for employed persons and those who have good self-perceived health. Key messages Special attention should be given to improve access to care among non-employed migrants. Migrants should not be considered as a uniform group when planning services.


Author(s):  
Pauline A. Mashima

Important initiatives in health care include (a) improving access to services for disadvantaged populations, (b) providing equal access for individuals with limited or non-English proficiency, and (c) ensuring cultural competence of health-care providers to facilitate effective services for individuals from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health, 2001). This article provides a brief overview of the use of technology by speech-language pathologists and audiologists to extend their services to underserved populations who live in remote geographic areas, or when cultural and linguistic differences impact service delivery.


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