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Migration, acculturation and utilization of primary health care

Author

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  • Van der Stuyft, Patrick
  • De Muynck, Aimé
  • Schillemans, Leo
  • Timmerman, Chris

Abstract

This study explored the roles of acculturation, urban-rural provenance and length of residence as determinants of the utilization pattern of first line health services by Moroccan, Turkish and Italian migrants in Belgium. Concurrently, utilization characteristics were recorded in Belgian reference patients. With increasing acculturation the demand for preventive care decreased, vague complaints became more prevalent, the delay before consulting for a curative problem shortened and the prognosis improved. There was no correlation between the occurrence of psychological problems and acculturation but, except for 15-44 year old female migrants, the rate of social problems was negatively associated with this study factor. Migrants with an urban background consulted earlier and presented more frequently vague complaints than migrants from rural provenance. We observed no significant influence of length of residence on utilization characteristics and only a marginal influence on morbidity pattern. Although acculturation seems to be a strong determinant of the migrant's utilization pattern of primary health care services, it does not consistently lead to a decrease of utilization differentials with the Belgian reference population. This may imply that there is a need for public health interventions targeted at ethnic minorities.

Suggested Citation

  • Van der Stuyft, Patrick & De Muynck, Aimé & Schillemans, Leo & Timmerman, Chris, 1989. "Migration, acculturation and utilization of primary health care," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 29(1), pages 53-60, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:29:y:1989:i:1:p:53-60
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    Cited by:

    1. Ruth Atuhaire & Robert Wamala & Leonard. K Atuhaire & Elizabeth Nansubuga, 2021. "Regional differentials in early antenatal care, health facility delivery and early postnatal care among women in Uganda," Journal of Economics and Behavioral Studies, AMH International, vol. 13(4), pages 17-30.
    2. Tsuyoshi Akiyama & Yuko Miyake & Takashi Gomibuchi, 1999. "Outcome Study of English Speaking Temporary Residents in Japan," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 45(3), pages 171-179, September.
    3. Muhammad Ajmal Zahid & Abdullahi Fido & Rashed Alowaish & Mohamed Abd El-Motaal Mohsen & Mohammed Abdul Razik, 2003. "Psychiatric Morbidity Among Housemaids in Kuwait III: Vulnerability Factors," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 49(2), pages 87-96, June.
    4. Salel M. El-Hilu & Rawhiya Mousa & Hani Abdulmalek & Nahed Kamel & Mostafa Zohdi & Ali Maher & Mohammad Al-Aamriti, 1990. "Psychiatric Morbidity Among Foreign Housemaids in Kuwait," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 36(4), pages 291-299, December.
    5. Ilana Akresh, 2009. "Health Service Utilization Among Immigrants to the United States," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 28(6), pages 795-815, December.

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