Health care seeking among detained undocumented migrants: a cross-sectional study

BMC Public Health

Research Article

Tina Dorn¹  Ming-Jan Tang¹  Marcel CA Buster¹  Joyce L Browne¹  Manon Ceelen¹  Koos JC de Keijzer²  Kees Das² 

[1] Public Health Service, Department of Epidemiology, Documentation and Health Promotion, P.O. Box 2200, 1000 CE, Amsterdam, The Netherlands;Public Health Service, Department of Forensic Medicine, P.O. Box 2200, 1000 CE, Amsterdam, The Netherlands;

关键词: Asylum Seeker;    Migrant Group;    National Health Insurance Scheme;    Undocumented Migrant;    Chronic Health Problem;   

DOI  :  10.1186/1471-2458-11-190

 received in 2010-04-28, accepted in 2011-03-28,  发布年份 2011

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundAs in many European countries, access to care is decreased for undocumented migrants in the Netherlands due to legislation. Studies on the health of undocumented migrants in Europe are scarce and focus on care-seeking migrants. Not much is known on those who do not seek care.MethodsThis cross-sectional study includes both respondents who did and did not seek care, namely undocumented migrants who have been incarcerated in a detention centre while awaiting expulsion to their country of origin. A consecutive sample of all new arrivals was studied. Data were collected through structured interviews and reviews of medical records.ResultsAmong the 224 male migrants who arrived at the detention centre between May and July 2008, 173 persons were interviewed. 122 respondents met inclusion criteria. Only half of the undocumented migrants in this study knew how to get access to medical care in the Netherlands if in need. Forty-six percent of respondents reported to have sought medical help during their stay in the Netherlands while having no health insurance (n = 57). Care was sought most frequently for injuries and dental problems. About 25% of these care seekers reported to have been denied care by a health care provider. Asian migrants were significantly less likely to seek care when compared to other ethnic groups, independent from age, chronic health problems and length of stay in the Netherlands.ConclusionThe study underlines the need for a better education of undocumented patients and providers concerning the opportunities for health care in the Netherlands. Moreover, there is a need to further clarify the reasons for the denial of care to undocumented patients, as well as the barriers to health care as perceived by undocumented migrants.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Dorn et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2011