Cadernos de Saude Publica
Volume 30, Issue 2, 2014, Pages 333-340

Assessing maternal healthcare inequities among migrants: A qualitative study [Avaliando desigualdades de saúde materna em migrantes: Um estudo qualitativo] (Article) (Open Access)

Almeida L.M. , Caldas J.P. , Ayres-de-Campos D. , Dias S.
  • a Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
  • b Iberoamerican Observatory of Health and Citizenship, Porto, Portugal
  • c Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal, Departamento de Obstetrícia e Ginecologia, Centro Hospitalar São João, Porto, Portugal
  • d Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Lisboa, Portugal

Abstract

Considering pregnancy and motherhood as periods of increased vulnerability in migrant women, to characterize the healthcare provided to this collective, we sought to identify and understand patterns of satisfaction and demand of maternal and child healthcare, assessing women's perceptions about its quality. The study followed a qualitative methodology (semi-structured interviews) for collecting and analysing data (content analysis) and was conducted in Porto, the second largest city of Portugal. Participants were 25 recent immigrant mothers from Eastern European countries, Brazil, Portuguese-speaking African countries and six native Portuguese recent mothers (for comparison), contacted through social associations and institutions. Data suggests that healthcare depends not only on accessibility but especially on social opportunities. Equitable public health action must provide individuals and groups the equal opportunity to meet their needs, which may not be achieved by providing the same standard if care to all.

Author Keywords

Migration health inequalities Social vulnerability Maternal welfare Equity in health

Index Keywords

Vulnerable Populations vulnerable population educational status prenatal care Portugal health disparity Health Status Disparities human health service Young Adult Humans female pregnancy Article adult migration Transients and Migrants Maternal Health Services Health Services Accessibility health care delivery
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84897711663&doi=10.1590%2f0102-311X00060513&partnerID=40&md5=966cf14aad13d8683e8b612bd112a25f
DOI: 10.1590/0102-311X00060513
ISSN: 0102311X
Cited by: 4
Original Language: English; Portuguese