Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health
Volume 31, Issue 4, 2007, Pages 333-335

Health services utilisation and barriers for settlers from the Horn of Africa (Article)

Neale A. , Ngeow J.Y.Y. , Skull S.A. , Biggs B.-A.*
  • a Department of Medicine (RMH/WH), University of Melbourne, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC 3050, Australia, Victorian Public Health Training Scheme, Department of Human Services, Australia
  • b Department of Medicine (RMH/WH), University of Melbourne, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC 3050, Australia, Centre of Clinical Research Excellence in Infectious Diseases, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC 3050, Australia
  • c Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, Menzies School of Health Research, Australia
  • d Department of Medicine (RMH/WH), University of Melbourne, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC 3050, Australia, Centre of Clinical Research Excellence in Infectious Diseases, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC 3050, Australia

Abstract

Objective: To examine health services use and barriers for recently arrived immigrants from the Horn of Africa. Method: A cross-sectional study conducted in Melbourne, Australia, with a convenience sample of newly arrived immigrants (n=126) from Somalia (n=67), Ethiopia (n=24), Eritrea (n=26) and Sudan (n=6). Results: GPs were the major health providers for participants, yet 22 (17%) respondents had not yet accessed health services in Australia. Thirty-three (26%) participants reported having had an unmet health concern for which they would have liked to seek advice. The most commonly identified barriers to health care and recommendations for improving services were associated with communication. Conclusions: This study illustrates unmet health needs among new arrivals and a need for linguistically appropriate information about the use of Australia's health system. Implications: The findings support increased use of professional interpreting services and support for new arrivals in making initial contact with the health system. © 2007 The Authors. Journal Compilation © 2007 Public Health Association of Australia.

Author Keywords

Health services accessibility immigrants Utilisation Africa, eastern Refugees

Index Keywords

immigrant Eritrea Australia interpersonal communication human immigration middle aged controlled study Aged Victoria general practitioner Cross-Sectional Studies Humans Adolescent male female medical information health services prevalence Article Ethiopia health care utilization adult Africa, Northern health care access Somalia health care need Emigration and Immigration health care system Health Services Accessibility health care delivery Sudan
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-34548039061&doi=10.1111%2fj.1753-6405.2007.00081.x&partnerID=40&md5=87359ee3a644d2b33856ccbf78f5683a
DOI: 10.1111/j.1753-6405.2007.00081.x
ISSN: 13260200
Cited by: 15
Original Language: English