International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Volume 14, Issue 2, 2017

Determinants of health care services utilization among first generation Afghan migrants in Istanbul (Article) (Open Access)

Alemi Q.* , Stempel C. , Koga P.M. , Smith V. , Danis D. , Baek K. , Montgomery S.
  • a Department of Social Work and Social Ecology, School of Behavioral Health, Loma Linda University, 1898 Business Center Drive, San Bernardino, CA 92408, United States
  • b Department of Sociology and Social Services, California State University, East Bay, 25800 Carlos Bee Blvd, Hayward, CA 94542, United States
  • c Department of Public Health Sciences, UCD School of Medicine, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Med Sci 1-C, Davis, CA 95616, United States
  • d Department of Health Sciences, California State University, East Bay, 25800 Carlos Bee Blvd, Hayward, CA 94542, United States
  • e Department of Sociology, Galatasaray University, Istanbul, 34349, Turkey
  • f Department of Social Work and Social Ecology, School of Behavioral Health, Loma Linda University, 1898 Business Center Drive, San Bernardino, CA 92408, United States
  • g Department of Social Work and Social Ecology, School of Behavioral Health, Loma Linda University, 1898 Business Center Drive, San Bernardino, CA 92408, United States

Abstract

There is insufficient empirical evidence on the correlates of health care utilization of irregular migrants currently living in Turkey. The aim of this study was to identify individual level determinants associated with health service and medication use. One hundred and fifty-five Afghans completed surveys assessing service utilization including encounters with primary care physicians and outpatient specialists in addition to the use of prescription and nonprescription medicines. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed to examine associations between service use and a range of predisposing, enabling, and perceived need factors. Health services utilization was lowest for outpatient specialists (20%) and highest for nonprescription medications (37%). Female gender and higher income predicted encounters with primary care physicians. Income, and other enabling factors such as family presence in Turkey predicted encounters with outpatient specialists. Perceived illness-related need factors had little to no influence on use of services; however, asylum difficulties increased the likelihood for encounters with primary care physicians, outpatient services, and the use of prescription medications. This study suggests that health services use among Afghan migrants in Turkey is low considering the extent of their perceived illness-related needs, which may be further exacerbated by the precarious conditions in which they live. © 2017 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

Author Keywords

Turkey Andersen model Utilization Medications Afghan migrant Health services

Index Keywords

Afghanistan multivariate logistic regression analysis human middle aged statistics and numerical data health service Turkey (republic) outpatient care Aged general practitioner medication compliance Health Services Needs and Demand Cross-Sectional Studies prescription Surveys and Questionnaires Young Adult income cross-sectional study migrant psychology Humans model male female Aged, 80 and over very elderly questionnaire health services health care health care utilization major clinical study adult gender migration international migration Turkey utilization ambulatory care patient attitude Patient Acceptance of Health Care Istanbul [Turkey] Transients and Migrants Afghan Medication Adherence
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85013328722&doi=10.3390%2fijerph14020201&partnerID=40&md5=94813cc19bbc1bb9118517317f4fa5a8
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14020201
ISSN: 16617827
Cited by: 5
Original Language: English