Globalization and Health
Volume 14, Issue 1, 2018

Use of health services among international migrant children - a systematic review (Review) (Open Access)

Markkula N.* , Cabieses B. , Lehti V. , Uphoff E. , Astorga S. , Stutzin F.
  • a Clínica Alemana Universidad del Desarrollo, Social Studies in Health Research Programme, Instituto de Ciencias e Innovación en Medicina (ICIM), Facultad de Medicina, Av. Las Condes, Las Condes, Santiago, 12461, Chile
  • b Clínica Alemana Universidad del Desarrollo, Social Studies in Health Research Programme, Instituto de Ciencias e Innovación en Medicina (ICIM), Facultad de Medicina, Av. Las Condes, Las Condes, Santiago, 12461, Chile, University of York, Department of Health Sciences, York, United Kingdom
  • c Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Department of Psychiatry, Helsinki, Finland
  • d Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Department of Psychiatry, Helsinki, Finland
  • e Clínica Alemana Universidad del Desarrollo, Social Studies in Health Research Programme, Instituto de Ciencias e Innovación en Medicina (ICIM), Facultad de Medicina, Av. Las Condes, Las Condes, Santiago, 12461, Chile
  • f Clínica Alemana Universidad del Desarrollo, Social Studies in Health Research Programme, Instituto de Ciencias e Innovación en Medicina (ICIM), Facultad de Medicina, Av. Las Condes, Las Condes, Santiago, 12461, Chile, University College London, Centre for Interdisciplinary and Intercultural Inquiry, Health Humanities, London, United Kingdom

Abstract

Background: Migrant children have specific health needs, and may face difficulties in accessing health care, but not enough is known about their health service use. This study aims to describe patterns of use of health services of international migrant children and differences to respective native populations. Methods: Electronic databases PubMed and Web of Science, references of identified publications, and websites of relevant international agencies were searched. We included observational studies published between 2006 and 2016 that reported use of formal health services by migrant children (0-18 years), including first and second generation migrants. Data on study characteristics, study theme, main outcome and study quality were extracted. Results: One hundred seven full texts were included in the review. Of the studies that reported comparable outcomes, half (50%) indicated less use of healthcare by migrants compared with non-migrants; 25% reported no difference, 18% reported greater use, and 7% did not report this outcome. There was variation by theme, so that the proportion of conclusions "less use" was most common in the categories "general access to care", "primary care" and "oral health", whereas in the use of emergency rooms or hospitalisations, the most common conclusion was "greater use". Conclusions: Migrant children appear to use different types of healthcare services less than native populations, with the exception of emergency and hospital services. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO systematic review registration number: CRD42016039876. © 2018 The Author(s).

Author Keywords

Transients and migrants immigrants health service use Children Access

Index Keywords

literature review immigrant dental health primary medical care human statistics and numerical data Internationality priority journal geographic distribution international cooperation emergency ward Humans migrant accessibility Review health services child health health care utilization migration health care access international migration child hospitalization child health care patient attitude Patient Acceptance of Health Care Transients and Migrants systematic review Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85047098320&doi=10.1186%2fs12992-018-0370-9&partnerID=40&md5=712b732331470328af2eb68d5c1d9ae9
DOI: 10.1186/s12992-018-0370-9
ISSN: 17448603
Cited by: 5
Original Language: English