RESUMEN
Prisoners are known to report worse health than the general population. Research has also shown that the prison population counts disproportionally more people with a lower socioeconomic status (SES), making it difficult to determine whether the worse self-reported health of prisoners is an effect of their detention or of their lower SES. This study assesses the influence of being in prison on self-rated health and if (and how) this relationship is mediated by SES. Data from detainees were collected in 12 Flemish prisons. To compare with the general population, data from the Belgian national health survey 2013 were used. To estimate the direct and indirect effect of being in prison on self-reported health, mediation analysis was carried out by means of natural effect models using nested counterfactuals. Following previous literature we find that prisoners report worse health than the general population and that SES has a significant influence on subjective health. Our results showed that the direct effect (exp(B) = 3.43; [95% CI: 2.924-4.024]) of being in prison on self-reported health is larger than the indirect effect (through SES) (exp(B) = 1,236; [95% CI: 1.195-1.278]), thus contradicting the hypotheses in previous literature that the SES is the main explanation for variation in self-reported health among prisoners. Lastly, the effect of SES on health is more important for the general population compared to detainees, suggesting that for prisoners the effect of being in prison seems to surpass the effect of SES on health.
Asunto(s)
Estado de Salud , Prisioneros/estadística & datos numéricos , Clase Social , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Bélgica/epidemiología , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Autoinforme , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Recent figures show that discrimination in healthcare is still persistent in the European Union. Research has confirmed these results but focused mainly on the outcomes of perceived discrimination. Studies that take into account socioeconomic determinants of discrimination limit themselves to either ethnicity, income or education. This article explores the influence of several socioeconomic indicators (e.g. gender, age, income, education and ethnicity) on perceived discrimination in 30 European countries. Data from the QUALICOPC study were used. These data were collected between October 2011 and December 2013 in the participating countries. In total, 7183 GPs (general practitioners) and 61932 patients participated in the study, which had an average response rate of 74.1%. Data collection was co-ordinated by NIVEL (Dutch Institute for Research of Health Care). Bivariate binomial logistic regressions were used to estimate the impact of each socioeconomic indicator on perceived discrimination. Multivariate logistic regressions were used to estimate the unique effect of each indicator. Results indicate that in Europe, overall 7% of the respondents felt discriminated, ranging between 1.4% and 12.8% at the country level. With regard to socioeconomic determinants in perceived discrimination, income and age are both important indicators, with lower income groups and younger people having a higher chance to feel discriminated. In addition, we find significant influences of education, gender, age and ethnicity in several countries. In most countries, higher educated people, older people, women and the indigenous population appeared to feel less discriminated. In conclusion, perceived discrimination in healthcare is reported in almost all European countries, but there is large variation between European countries. A high prevalence of perceived discrimination within a country also does not imply a correlation between socioeconomic indicators and perceived discrimination.
Asunto(s)
Médicos Generales/psicología , Atención Primaria de Salud , Racismo , Estudios Transversales , Europa (Continente) , Femenino , Humanos , Modelos Logísticos , Masculino , Racismo/estadística & datos numéricos , Factores SocioeconómicosRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: Recent research has shown that ethnic minorities still have less access to medical care and are less satisfied with the treatment they receive and the outcomes of the health care process. This article assesses how migrants in Europe experience access, treatment and outcomes in the European health care systems. METHODS: Data were obtained from the QUALICOPC study (Quality and Costs of Primary Care in Europe). Regression analyses were used to estimate the access, treatment and outcomes of care for ethnic minorities. RESULTS: In several countries, migrants experience that the opening hours of their GP practice were too limited and indicate that the practice was too far away from their work or home (lower access). They are more likely to report negative patient-doctor communication and less continuity of care than native patients (worse treatment). In addition, they are less satisfied with the care they received and are more likely to postpone care (worse outcomes). CONCLUSIONS: In general, migrants are still disadvantaged during the health care process. However, our results also indicate that satisfaction with the health care process improves for second-generation migrants in comparison with first-generation migrants.
Asunto(s)
Emigrantes e Inmigrantes/estadística & datos numéricos , Etnicidad/estadística & datos numéricos , Accesibilidad a los Servicios de Salud/estadística & datos numéricos , Disparidades en Atención de Salud/estadística & datos numéricos , Grupos Minoritarios/estadística & datos numéricos , Continuidad de la Atención al Paciente , Europa (Continente) , Humanos , Satisfacción del Paciente , Relaciones Médico-Paciente , Calidad de la Atención de SaludRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: In general, vulnerable populations experience more problems in accessing health care. This also applies to the Roma-population. In the City of Ghent, Belgium, a relatively large group of Roma resides more or less permanently. The aim of this study is to explore the barriers this population encounters in their search for care. METHODS: In this qualitative study using in-depth interviews the barriers to health care for the Roma in Ghent are explored. We interviewed 12 Roma and 13 professionals (volunteers, health care providers,...) who had regular contact with the Roma-population in Ghent. For both groups purposive sampling was used to achieve maximal variation regarding gender, age, nationality and legal status. RESULTS: The Roma-population in Ghent encounters various barriers in their search for care. Financial constraints, not being able to reach health care and having problems to get through the complexity of the system are some of the most critical problems. Another important finding is the crucial role of trust between patient and care provider in the care-giving process. CONCLUSION: Roma share several barriers with other minority groups, such as: financial constraints, mobility issues and not knowing the language. However, more distinctive for this group is the lack of trust in care providers and health care in general. As a result, restraint and lack of communication form serious barriers for both patient and provider in their interaction. In order to ensure equitable access for Roma, more emphasis should be on establishing a relationship of mutual respect and understanding.