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Access to Healthcare Services among Thai Immigrants in Japan: A Study of the Areas Surrounding Tokyo

Author

Listed:
  • Sopak Supakul

    (Graduate School of Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
    Medical Governance Research Institute, Tokyo 108-0074, Japan
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Pichaya Jaroongjittanusonti

    (Medical Governance Research Institute, Tokyo 108-0074, Japan
    Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Prangkhwan Jiaranaisilawong

    (Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan)

  • Romruedee Phisalaphong

    (American School in Japan, Tokyo 182-0031, Japan)

  • Tetsuya Tanimoto

    (Medical Governance Research Institute, Tokyo 108-0074, Japan
    Navitas Clinic, Tokyo 190-0012, Japan)

  • Akihiko Ozaki

    (Medical Governance Research Institute, Tokyo 108-0074, Japan
    Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Jyoban Hospital of Tokiwa Foundation, Fukushima 972-8322, Japan)

Abstract

Numerous undocumented and uninsured foreigners living in Japan have faced barriers when trying to obtain appropriate healthcare services, which have occasionally led to issues with unpaid medical bills to medical institutions. Although information on health and socioeconomic status is essential to tackle such issues, relevant data has been unavailable due to difficulties in contacting this population. This study involved a cross-sectional survey using questionnaires concerning the general demographic characteristics, socioeconomic status, health profiles, information access, and knowledge/attitude/practice of health insurance of Thai nationals living in Japan. The study participants included Thai nationals who lived in Tokyo and the surrounding prefectures. The survey was conducted mainly at public religious events from September 2022 to December 2022. Overall, the questionnaires were obtained from 84 participants, though 67 participants were included in the final analysis after excluding missing variables. There were participants with unspecified visa status (32.8%) and uninsured status (40.3%). Among them, 86.4% expressed positive attitudes towards health insurance. However, multivariate multivariable regression analyses revealed the low insurance practice status among the unspecified visa group (aOR, 0.02; 95% CI, 0.00–0.13). Overall, the results reveal limited access to healthcare services in subgroups of Thai immigrants in Japan.

Suggested Citation

  • Sopak Supakul & Pichaya Jaroongjittanusonti & Prangkhwan Jiaranaisilawong & Romruedee Phisalaphong & Tetsuya Tanimoto & Akihiko Ozaki, 2023. "Access to Healthcare Services among Thai Immigrants in Japan: A Study of the Areas Surrounding Tokyo," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(13), pages 1-13, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:13:p:6290-:d:1186395
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Dagmar Dzúrová & Petr Winkler & Dušan Drbohlav, 2014. "Immigrants’ Access to Health Insurance: No Equality without Awareness," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-10, July.
    2. Rintaro Imafuku & Yukiko Nagatani & Masaki Shoji, 2022. "Communication Management Processes of Dentists Providing Healthcare for Migrants with Limited Japanese Proficiency," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-11, November.
    3. Li Liu & Xuewen Zhang & Longchao Zhao & Ningxiu Li, 2019. "Empirical Analysis of the Status and Influencing Factors of Catastrophic Health Expenditure of Migrant Workers in Western China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-10, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ei Thinzar Khin & Yuko Takeda & Kazunari Iwata & Shuhei Nishimoto, 2024. "Psychological Distress and Associated Factors among Technical Intern Trainees in Japan: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(8), pages 1-14, July.

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