Factors Associated with Access of Marital Migrants and Migrant Workers to Healthcare in Taiwan: A Questionnaire Survey with Quantitative Analysis

Feng-Yuan Chu, Hsiao-Ting Chang, Chung-Liang Shih, Cherng-Jye Jeng, Tzeng-Ji Chen and Wui-Chiang Lee
Additional contact information
Feng-Yuan Chu: Department of Family Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Yuanshan & Su-Ao Branch, No. 386, Rongguang Rd., Yuanshan Township, Yilan County 264, Taiwan
Hsiao-Ting Chang: Department of Family Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, No. 201, Sec. 2, Shi-Pai Rd., Beitou Dist., Taipei 112, Taiwan
Chung-Liang Shih: Department of Medical Affairs, Ministry of Health and Welfare, No. 488, Sec. 6, Zhongxiao E. Rd., Nangang Dist., Taipei 115, Taiwan
Cherng-Jye Jeng: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, No. 100, Ziyou 1st Rd., Sanmin Dist., Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
Tzeng-Ji Chen: Department of Family Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, No. 201, Sec. 2, Shi-Pai Rd., Beitou Dist., Taipei 112, Taiwan
Wui-Chiang Lee: School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, No. 155, Sec. 2, Linong St., Beitou Dist., Taipei 112, Taiwan

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 16, 1-11

Abstract: In Taiwan, migrants come mostly for marriage and work. Several researchers have conducted health-related studies of marital migrants and migrant workers, but the access of the two groups to healthcare has not been studied. Therefore, our study investigated the factors associated with migrants’ access to healthcare, with the main foci being marital migrants and migrant workers in Taiwan. A structured and cross-sectional questionnaire was anonymously self-administered by migrants recruited to participate in this survey on a voluntary basis from 11 medical centers and 11 migrant-helping associations in Taiwan between May 1st and September 21st, 2018. A total of 753 questionnaires were analyzed. The majority of marital migrants ( n = 243) and migrant workers ( n = 449) surveyed were enrolled in Taiwan’s National Health Insurance system (92.7 vs. 93.5%, p = 0.68). More of the migrant workers ( n = 205) than the marital migrants ( n = 42) encountered language barriers while seeking medical services (48.0 vs. 17.1%, p < 0.001). A professional interpreter at the point of care was considered important by more of the migrant workers ( n = 316) than the marital migrants ( n = 89) (70.2 vs. 39.6%, p < 0.001). Although more than 90% of the surveyed migrants were enrolled in the health insurance system in Taiwan, many, especially among the migrant workers, still faced language barriers while seeking medical services.

Keywords: access; interpreter; migrant and health; marital migrant; migrant workers (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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