Journal
GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH
Volume 18, Issue 1, Pages -Publisher
ROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD
DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2023.2191689
Keywords
Access; health services; young migrants; rural; Uganda
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In Uganda, young rural-urban migrants have lower utilization of health services compared to non-migrants. They face barriers in identifying and accessing healthcare, including lack of resources and social isolation.
Impeded access to health services is a major factor influencing migrant health. In Uganda, previous research has shown lower utilisation of health services for young rural-urban migrants compared to their non-migrant counterparts. However, access to health services does not start at utilisation, but can be hampered by being able to identify a need for care. Using qualitative methods, we aimed to explore young rural-urban migrants' perceptions of health and patterns of engagement with health services. We analysed, using thematic analysis, a purposive sample of 18 in-depth interviews with 10 young people who had recently migrated within Uganda. Our results are presented through a framework conceptualising access at the intersection between abilities of people and characteristics of services. Participants perceived a need for care mostly through serious crises. Their ability to obtain care was hindered by a lack of resources, as well as the relative social isolation brought by migration. Our study highlights other barriers to accessing care such as the role of social norms and HIV-related stigma in health issues prioritisation, and healthcare workers' attitudes. This knowledge can inform approaches to ensure that community-based services are able to support healthcare access and improved health outcomes for this vulnerable group.
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