Obstacles on Acess to Health by Immigrants: Gender Analysis

Abstract

Background: the presence of different cultures by the huge diversity of immigrants in Portugal causes changes in the behavior of health professionals. Objective: to know the factors that influence the demand for healthcare according to the gender of the Ukrainian immigrants in the metropolitan area of Oporto. Methodology: exploratory-descriptive and correlational study with quantitative and qualitative approach. The information was collected by questionnaire and 11 interviews in a convenience sample of 212 Ukrainian immigrants. Results: evidence of difficulties in access to health care, with no significant gender differences. Since Ukrainian women seek more care, they reter to more obstacles in access to health (ineffective communication, language barrier, cultural barrier, different interpretations of symptoms, disarticulation between services, beliefs, difficulty in scheduling, treatment, ignorance of rights as an immigrant, illegality, tear of discrimination) . Conclusion: cultural and linguistic barriers and disarticulation between services negatively influence the demand for care. Women are the largest users of health services. The services must have translators, cultural mediators. Health services and professionals are expected to develop plans for immigrants. lt is suggested training that increases the cultural competence of professionals.