Journal of Public Health Policy
Volume 32, Issue SUPPL. 1, 2011, Pages S152-S161

Exploring perceptions of HIV risk and health service access among Zimbabwean migrant women in Johannesburg: A gap in health policy in South Africa (Review)

Munyewende P.* , Rispel L.C. , Harris B. , Chersich M.
  • a Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Private Bag X3, Wits, 2050, Johannesburg, South Africa
  • b Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Private Bag X3, Wits, 2050, Johannesburg, South Africa
  • c Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Private Bag X3, Wits, 2050, Johannesburg, South Africa
  • d Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Private Bag X3, Wits, 2050, Johannesburg, South Africa, International Centre for Reproductive Health, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium

Abstract

We present qualitative data from a 2005 exploratory study, recently published studies, and an analysis of the Department of Health's strategic plan to highlight the need for a broader policy debate on health-care access for migrants in South Africa. We conducted in-depth interviews with 15 Zimbabwean women living in inner-city Johannesburg to document the special characteristics of this group of migrants, enquiring about their perceptions of HIV risk, and experiences of health services in South Africa. We identified access barriers, namely perceptions of relatively low HIV risk, severely constrained financial circumstances, uncertain legal status, and experiences of unresponsive health workers. We recommend that migrant-health rights be placed on South Africa's policy agenda, migrants be included in HIV prevention programs and that health workers be sensitized to the needs of migrants. © 2011 Macmillan Publishers Ltd.

Author Keywords

Zimbabwe Migrants HIV knowledge South Africa health service access health-seeking

Index Keywords

HIV Infections Human immunodeficiency virus infection health care policy human South Africa interview Humans Interviews as Topic female risk factor Risk Factors Review Zimbabwe adult migration patient attitude Patient Acceptance of Health Care Health Policy Transients and Migrants Health Services Accessibility health care delivery
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-79960130726&doi=10.1057%2fjphp.2011.36&partnerID=40&md5=6ab3695d823deefede6a8ff2e99b2f39
DOI: 10.1057/jphp.2011.36
ISSN: 01975897
Cited by: 17
Original Language: English