International Health
Volume 10, Issue 3, 2018, Pages 191-196

'Valuable but incomplete!' A qualitative study about migrants' perspective on health examinations in Stockholm (Article)

Shedrawy J.* , Lönnroth K. , Kulane A.
  • a Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Tomtebodavägen 18 A, Stockholm, 171 77, Sweden
  • b Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Tomtebodavägen 18 A, Stockholm, 171 77, Sweden, Centre for Epidemiology and Community Medicine, Stockholm County Council, Stockholm, Sweden
  • c Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Tomtebodavägen 18 A, Stockholm, 171 77, Sweden

Abstract

Background: A voluntary health examination is offered to asylum seekers in Sweden with the purpose of detecting infectious diseases and identifying other health needs. This study aimed to explore the organization, content and perceived value of the health examination from the perspective of asylum seekers. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 migrants recruited from different settings in Stockholm. Data were transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis in relation to the availability, accessibility, acceptability and quality framework. Results: Participants reported positive aspects of the health examination while raising important concerns, categorized into the following themes: availability-despite being available, the service was considered to be delayed with perceived implication for infection control; accessibility-migrants experienced no physical or economic barrier to access the health examination, especially when it was performed through a mobile clinic, however, they had limited access to information; acceptability and quality-migrants trusted the health staff, however, the examination lacked important aspects related to mental health and dental care needs, among other health needs. Conclusion: Health examinations are valued by participants but failed to identify and address many perceived health needs. Mobile clinics seem a practical strategy to improve accessibility. © The Author(s) 2018. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. All rights reserved.

Author Keywords

Examination Stockholm Health migrant Accessibility Refugee

Index Keywords

personal experience economics medical examination mental health human access to information middle aged statistics and numerical data health service priority journal policy dental procedure qualitative research asylum seeker Young Adult Sweden Humans migrant conceptual framework psychology Adolescent Trust male semi structured interview female Article infection control health care organization thematic analysis adult migration Transients and Migrants Physical Examination medical staff program acceptability health care availability attitude to health health care need health care delivery
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85048616003&doi=10.1093%2finthealth%2fihy007&partnerID=40&md5=5e49cbdc66b74be3dd1a35c86e2137fb
DOI: 10.1093/inthealth/ihy007
ISSN: 18763413
Cited by: 2
Original Language: English