Perception of Health and Healthcare amongst Senegalese Immigrants in Andalusia

• Published in: Procedia, social and behavioral sciences Vol. 237; pp. 70 - 76
• Main Authors: Soriano, Encarnación, Ruíz, Diego, Cala, Verónica C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 21.02.2017
• Subjects: Andalusia; Health assistance; Health perception; immigrants; Senegalese; Health assistance; Health perception; Senegalese; Andalusia; immigrants
• ISSN: 1877-0428; 1877-0428
• DOI: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2017.02.028

Immigrant healthcare boundaries are one of the most important indicators of health inequality. If health institutions want to take action against barriers and difficulties, it would be necessary to identify immigrant perceptions of health and their views of the Healthcare System. In the Spanish context, earlier studies show that sub-Saharan immigrants find it more difficult to gain access to the public health system. The aim of this study is to describe the health perceptions and views on the healthcare system of Senegalese population, in Andalusia through 61 in-depth interviews. The results indicated processes of deterioration in the immigrant health status and their health behaviours with regard to their arrival, as well as a pathogenic and utilitarian conception of health, linked to their work occupation. In their health speeches we observed a dialectical relationship between the hegemonic health model and the model of traditional Senegalese health. Regarding the quality of the Andalusian Healthcare Service, participants positively emphasize its universality, its infrastructure and easy access to information while, at the same time, they demand reduction of waiting time for care or cultural adaptation of certain service, criticizing discriminatory attitudes from professionals. It would necessary to implement transcultural advisory services in health and to promote intercultural mediators to eliminate some of the barriers to access and health communication.