Understanding the Experiences of Health Care–Seeking Migrants in Delhi: Trajectories and Challenges

• Published in: Qualitative health research Vol. 30; no. 11; pp. 1710 - 1722
• Main Authors: Mathew, Bincy, Nambiar, Devaki
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.09.2020; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Access; Capital; Health care policy; Health problems; Health services utilization; Health status; Health technology assessment; Help seeking behavior; Migrants; Noncitizens; Qualitative research; Quality of care; India; marginalized or vulnerable populations; qualitative; grounded theory; experiences of illness and disease; determinants of health; urban issues; health seeking; immigrants, migrants; experiences of health care; health care access; South Asia
• ISSN: 1049-7323; 1552-7557
• DOI: 10.1177/1049732320921374

Many studies have reported on issues of accessibility and quality of health care among the different vulnerable subgroups in urban locations. To date, no study has been done on the challenges faced by health care–seeking migrants (those traveling to cities for health reasons). This qualitative study used in-depth interviews and nonparticipant observation to examine the health problems, health care–seeking trajectories, and challenges faced by health care–seeking migrants in Delhi, India. Participants described long courses of health care seeking, typically from the district to the state capital to the national capital. There were variegated paths to health care seeking characterized by delays in service utilization, progression of disease, and cost escalation. The challenge relating to the delay in receiving health care was exacerbated by the residency status of health care–seeking migrants. In conclusion, health-related migration is associated with shared but also unique barriers to health care seeking. India’s urban health care reform agenda needs to cater to the needs of this population.