Barriers to Accessing HIV Care Services in Host Low and Middle Income Countries: Views and Experiences of Indonesian Male Ex-Migrant Workers Living with HIV

Nelsensius Klau Fauk, Hailay Abrha Gesesew, Alfonsa Liquory Seran, Christopher Raymond, Roheena Tahir and Paul Russell Ward ()
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Nelsensius Klau Fauk: Research Centre for Public Health, Equity and Human Flourishing, Torrens University Australia, Adelaide 5000, Australia
Hailay Abrha Gesesew: Research Centre for Public Health, Equity and Human Flourishing, Torrens University Australia, Adelaide 5000, Australia
Alfonsa Liquory Seran: Atapupu Public Health Centre, Health Department of Belu District, Atambua 85752, Indonesia
Christopher Raymond: Research Centre for Public Health, Equity and Human Flourishing, Torrens University Australia, Adelaide 5000, Australia
Roheena Tahir: College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide 5042, Australia
Paul Russell Ward: Research Centre for Public Health, Equity and Human Flourishing, Torrens University Australia, Adelaide 5000, Australia

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 21, 1-14

Abstract: Migrant populations are one of the vulnerable groups to HIV transmission and its consequences. They are also reported to experience delayed entry or linkage into HIV services and have poorer HIV-related health outcomes. This study aimed to understand barriers to accessing HIV care services in host countries among Indonesian, male, former (returned) migrant workers living with HIV. The study was carried out from December 2020 to February 2021. It utilised a qualitative design employing in-depth interviews to collect data from twenty-two returned migrant workers from Eastern Indonesia, recruited using the snowball sampling technique. A qualitative data analysis framework was used to guide a step-by-step analysis of the findings. Findings demonstrated that limited host-country language proficiency, lack of knowledge regarding healthcare systems in host countries and having ‘undocumented’ worker status were barriers to accessing HIV care services. Data also revealed the unavailability of HIV care services nearby migrants’ work locations, long-distance travel to healthcare facilities, and challenges in accessing public transportation as barriers that impeded their access to the services. Other factors limiting the participants’ access to HIV services were identified as the transient and mobile nature of migrant work requiring frequent relocation and disrupting work–life stability. Additionally, in lieu of formal HIV services, many participants self-medicated by using over-the-counter herbal or ‘traditional’ medicines, often because of peer or social group influence regarding the selection of informal treatment options. Recommendations arising from this study demonstrate the need to improve pre-departure information for migrant workers regarding the healthcare system and access procedures in potential host countries. Data from this study also indicate that social services should be available to assist potential migrants to access legal channels for migrant work overseas, to ensure that Indonesian migrants can safely access healthcare services in the countries for which they are providing migrant labour. Future studies to understand barriers to accessing HIV care services among various migrant groups living with HIV are warranted to build evidence for potential social policy change.

Keywords: migrant workers living with HIV; barriers to care; HIV care services; host countries; Indonesia (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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