Health Care Experiences and Perceived Barriers to Health Care Access: A Qualitative Study Among African Migrants in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China

• DOI: 10.1007/s10903-014-0114-8
• Publication Date: 2014-10-07T04:55:55Z
• Authors: Lavinia Lin; Katherine B. Brown; Fan Yu; Jingqi Yang; Jason Wang; Joshua M. Schrock; Adams B. Bodomo; Ligang Yang; Bin Yang; Eric J. Nehl; Joseph D. Tucker; Frank Y. Wong
• Keywords: Adult; Male; China; Financing, Personal; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; 602001 African studies; Culture; 303007 Epidemiologie; Black People; Health Services Accessibility; Health care experiences; 03 medical and health sciences; Racism; 303007 Epidemiology; Immigrants/migrants; 602004 General linguistics; Humans; 602001 Afrikanistik; Qualitative Research; African; Communication Barriers; 1. No poverty; 504007 Empirische Sozialforschung; Focus Groups; 504007 Empirical social research; 3. Good health; Socioeconomic Factors; 602004 Allgemeine Sprachwissenschaft; Patient Satisfaction; 8. Economic growth; Health care access; Female; Perception; 0305 other medical science; Confidentiality

Guangzhou, one of China's largest cities and a main trading port in South China, has attracted many African businessmen and traders migrating to the city for financial gains. Previous research has explored the cultural and economic roles of this newly emerging population; however, little is known about their health care experiences while in China. Semi-structured interviews and focus groups were used to assess health care experiences and perceived barriers to health care access among African migrants in Guangzhou, China. Overall, African migrants experienced various barriers to accessing health care and were dissatisfied with local health services. The principal barriers to care reported included affordability, legal issues, language barriers, and cultural differences. Facing multiple barriers, African migrants have limited access to care in Guangzhou. Local health settings are not accustomed to the African migrant population, suggesting that providing linguistically and culturally appropriate services may improve access to care for the migrants.