Eritrean Refugees’ and Asylum-Seekers’ Attitude towards and Access to Oral Healthcare in Heidelberg, Germany: A Qualitative Study

Yonas Semere Kidane, Sandra Ziegler, Verena Keck, Janine Benson-Martin, Albrecht Jahn, Temesghen Gebresilassie and Claudia Beiersmann
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Yonas Semere Kidane: Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
Sandra Ziegler: Department of General Practice and Health Services Research, Section Health Equity Studies & Migration, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
Verena Keck: Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
Janine Benson-Martin: Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
Albrecht Jahn: Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
Temesghen Gebresilassie: Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
Claudia Beiersmann: Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 21, 1-20

Abstract: Oral health concerns in Eritrean refugees have been an overlooked subject. This qualitative study explored the access of Eritrean refugees and asylum-seekers (ERNRAS) to oral health care services in Heidelberg, Germany, as well as their perceptions and attitudes towards oral health care. It involved 25 participants. We employed online semi-structured interviews ( n = 15) and focus group discussions ( n = 2). The data was recorded, transcribed, and analysed, using thematic analysis. The study found out that most of the participants have a relatively realistic perception and understanding of oral health. However, they have poor dental care practices, whilst a few have certain misconceptions of the conventional oral hygiene tools. Along with the majority’s concerns regarding psychosocial attributes of poor oral health, some participants are routinely consuming Berbere (a traditional spice-blended pepper) to prevent bad breath. Structural or supply-side barriers to oral healthcare services included: communication hurdles; difficulty in identifying and navigating the German health system; gaps in transculturally, professionally, and communicationally competent oral health professionals; cost of dental treatment; entitlement issues (asylum-seekers); and appointment mechanisms. Individual or demand-side barriers comprised: lack of self-sufficiency; issue related to dental care beliefs, trust, and expectation from dentists; negligence and lack of adherence to dental treatment follow-up; and fear or apprehension of dental treatment. To address the oral health burdens of ERNRAS, it is advised to consider oral health education, language-specific, inclusive, and culturally and professionally appropriate healthcare services.

Keywords: oral health care; dental; access; attitude; Eritrea; refugees; asylum-seekers; qualitative (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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