International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Volume 16, Issue 16, 2019

Factors associated with access of marital migrants and migrant workers to healthcare in taiwan: A questionnaire survey with quantitative analysis (Article) (Open Access)

Chu F.-Y. , Chang H.-T. , Shih C.-L. , Jeng C.-J. , Chen T.-J. , Lee W.-C.*
  • a Department of Family Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Yuanshan & Su-Ao Branch, No. 386, Rongguang Rd., Yuanshan Township, Yilan County, 264, Taiwan, Department of Family Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, No. 201, Sec. 2, Shi-Pai Rd., Beitou Dist., Taipei, 112, Taiwan
  • b Department of Family Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, No. 201, Sec. 2, Shi-Pai Rd., Beitou Dist., Taipei, 112, Taiwan, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, No. 155, Sec. 2, Linong St., Beitou Dist., Taipei, 112, Taiwan
  • c Department of Medical Affairs, Ministry of Health and Welfare, No. 488, Sec. 6, Zhongxiao E. Rd., Nangang Dist., Taipei, 115, Taiwan
  • d Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, No. 100, Ziyou 1st Rd., Sanmin Dist., Kaohsiung, 807, Taiwan, School of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, No. 100, Shiquan 1st Rd., Sanmin Dist., Kaohsiung City, 807, Taiwan
  • e Department of Family Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, No. 201, Sec. 2, Shi-Pai Rd., Beitou Dist., Taipei, 112, Taiwan, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, No. 155, Sec. 2, Linong St., Beitou Dist., Taipei, 112, Taiwan
  • f School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, No. 155, Sec. 2, Linong St., Beitou Dist., Taipei, 112, Taiwan, Department of Medical Affairs and Planning, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, No. 201, Sec. 2, Shi-Pai Rd., Beitou Dist., Taipei, 112, Taiwan

Abstract

In Taiwan, migrants come mostly for marriage and work. Several researchers have conducted health-related studies of marital migrants and migrant workers, but the access of the two groups to healthcare has not been studied. Therefore, our study investigated the factors associated with migrants’ access to healthcare, with the main foci being marital migrants and migrant workers in Taiwan. A structured and cross-sectional questionnaire was anonymously self-administered by migrants recruited to participate in this survey on a voluntary basis from 11 medical centers and 11 migrant-helping associations in Taiwan between May 1st and September 21st, 2018. A total of 753 questionnaires were analyzed. The majority of marital migrants (n = 243) and migrant workers (n = 449) surveyed were enrolled in Taiwan’s National Health Insurance system (92.7 vs. 93.5%, p = 0.68). More of the migrant workers (n = 205) than the marital migrants (n = 42) encountered language barriers while seeking medical services (48.0 vs. 17.1%, p < 0.001). A professional interpreter at the point of care was considered important by more of the migrant workers (n = 316) than the marital migrants (n = 89) (70.2 vs. 39.6%, p < 0.001). Although more than 90% of the surveyed migrants were enrolled in the health insurance system in Taiwan, many, especially among the migrant workers, still faced language barriers while seeking medical services. © 2019 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

Author Keywords

Marital migrant Migrant and health Migrant workers Access Interpreter

Index Keywords

major clinical study questionnaire survey quantitative analysis language multicenter study Taiwan migrant worker questionnaire Article health care national health insurance marriage medical service public access human human experiment
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85071280516&doi=10.3390%2fijerph16162830&partnerID=40&md5=1bd5ef0581f174a7e0d5fbd6a2cf8770
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16162830
ISSN: 16617827
Original Language: English