Informal workers and access to healthcare: a qualitative study of facilitators and barriers to accessing healthcare for beer promoters in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic

International Journal for Equity in Health

Research

Viengnakhone Vongxay¹  Souksamone Thongmyxay¹  Vanphanom Sychareun¹  Vassana Thammavongsa¹  Phouthong Phummavongsa¹  Jo Durham² 

[1] University of Health Sciences, Faculty of Postgraduate Studies, Vientiane, Lao PDR;University of Queensland, Faculty of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, School of Public Health, Herston, Brisbane, Australia;

关键词: Beer promoters, access to healthcare;    Informal workers;    Informal sector;    Habitus;    Bourdieu;    Lao PDR;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12939-016-0352-6

 received in 2016-01-04, accepted in 2016-04-04,  发布年份 2016

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundInformal workers often face considerable risks and vulnerabilities as a consequence of their work and employment conditions. The purpose of this study was to examine the interplay between the experience of informal work and access to health, using as an example, female beer promoters employed in the informal economy, in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.MethodsIn-depth interviews were undertaken with 24 female beer promoters working in beer shops, restaurants and entertainment venues in Vientiane City. The recruitment strategy of snowball sampling was used. Interviews explored the beer promoter’s experience of the organization of work, perceived healthcare needs, access to healthcare and insurance, and health seeking practices. The data was analysed thematically and subsequently using Bourdieu’s concepts of habitus, capital and field.ResultsMost of the beer promoters included in the study were 18 years of age, single, had worked as beer promoters for more than one year and just over half were working to support their higher education. The beer promoters demonstrated a holistic view of health, also viewing good health as contributing to being beautiful – an important attribute in their work. Many reported that their work conditions, including the noisy environment, exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke, long hours on their feet and sexual harassment negatively affected their physical and mental health. Only four participants had any form of health insurance with access to healthcare constrained by individual characteristics, health system factors and the conditions of their informal employment.ConclusionsDrawing on the work of Bourdieu, the study shows how both employment and illness are linked to habitus embodied in everyday practices, access to capital and the position the female beer promoters hold in the social hierarchy in the field of employment.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Sychareun et al. 2016