International Journal of Public Health
Volume 55, Issue 5, 2010, Pages 421-428

Health care utilisation and problems in accessing health care of female undocumented immigrants in the Netherlands (Article) (Open Access)

Schoevers M.A. , Loeffen M.J. , Van Den Muijsenbergh M.E. , Lagro-Janssen A.L.M.
  • a Department Primary Care and Community Care, Women's Studies Medical Sciences, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands, Department Primary Care and Community Care, Centre for Family Medicine, Geriatric Care and Public Health, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, HAG 117 P.O. Box 9101, Nijmegen 6500 HB, Netherlands
  • b Department Primary Care and Community Care, Women's Studies Medical Sciences, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
  • c Department Primary Care and Community Care, Women's Studies Medical Sciences, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
  • d Department Primary Care and Community Care, Women's Studies Medical Sciences, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands

Abstract

Objective: To obtain information about the actual use of health care facilities by undocumented women and to identify obstacles they experience in accessing health care facilities. Methods: A mixed methods study, with structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews, was chosen to obtain a complete understanding. One-hundred undocumented women were recruited. Diversity was sought according to age, origin and reason for being undocumented. Results: Undocumented female immigrants have unmet health care needs (56%) and low health care utilisation. Sixty-nine per cent of the women reported obstacles in accessing health care facilities. These included many personal obstacles such as shame, fear and/or lack of information. Poor language proficiency (OR 0.28;. CI 0.09-0.90) reduces utilisation of primary health care services. Conclusion: Health care utilisation of undocumented women is low. Undocumented women refrain from seeking health care because of personal obstacles. These women need to be identified and informed about their rights, the health care system and the duty of professional confidentiality of doctors. Finally, institutional obstacles to access care should be removed since they strengthen reluctance to seek help. © 2010 The Author(s).

Author Keywords

access to health care Women's health Illegal immigrants Undocumented immigrants Health services utilisation

Index Keywords

Interviews as Topic health service Emigrants and Immigrants Utilization Review Netherlands female Humans Health Services Accessibility Women's Health Services Article health care delivery middle aged interview Young Adult human adult migration legal aspect
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-77958033636&doi=10.1007%2fs00038-010-0151-6&partnerID=40&md5=ceb2bb44cfbcf880c750b0bca852d280
DOI: 10.1007/s00038-010-0151-6
ISSN: 16618556
Cited by: 25
Original Language: English