[Study of the healthcare background and psychosocial environment of the Maghrebian immigrant population in Catalonia [Spain]]. / El marco sanitario y el entorno psicosocial de la población inmigrante magrebí en Cataluña.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to gather information on the healthcare background and social environment of the Maghrebian immigrant population in Catalonia in order to guide the management and provision of social services and the work of the organizations supporting this collective. METHODS: To gather data, we used a questionnaire exploring healthcare and social variables, including stressors and social support. Data collection was performed by pollsters in Arabic. RESULTS: We performed 403 interviews. Most interviewees had a health card providing access to public healthcare and knew where to access healthcare. The most frequently used services were primary care and emergency departments. In primary care, almost all of the interviewees were provided explanations, but 30% were unable to understand them properly. Health professionals seemed to have inadequate awareness of cultural and religious differences. Work, housing, distance from the family, and legal status were stressful factors for more than half of this population. Social support was low. Three quarters of the interviewees felt lonely. More than half of this population had completely or partially fulfilled their expectations of migration, while 11% felt they were in a worse situation. CONCLUSIONS: The main areas for improvement are the provision of information on conditions of healthcare access, promotion of social interaction, the use of associations for immigrants especially during the first phases of the migration process and facilitating religious activities. Health professionals should be provided with training in intercultural issues.

El marco sanitario y el entorno psicosocial de la población inmigrante magrebí en Cataluña / Study of the healthcare background and psychosocial environment of the Maghrebian immigrant population in Catalonia [Spain]

Introducción: Este estudio pretende obtener información sobreel marco sanitario y el entorno psicosocial de la población inmigrantemagrebí en Cataluña, para orientar las actuacionesen planificación y provisión de servicios sociales y de las organizacionesque apoyan a este colectivo.Método: Se utilizó un cuestionario de creación propia queexplora aspectos sanitarios y psicosociales, incluidos los factoresestresores y de apoyo social. La recogida de datos serealizó mediante encuestadores y en lengua árabe.Resultados: Se realizaron 403 entrevistas. La mayoría delos encuestados tenían tarjeta sanitaria y sabían a dónde acudirpara recibir asistencia. Los servicios más utilizados sonlos de atención primaria y urgencias hospitalarias. En atenciónprimaria, casi todos los encuestados reciben explicaciones,pero un 30% no las comprende adecuadamente. Se percibeque los profesionales sanitarios no tienen muy en cuenta lasdiferencias culturales o religiosas. Trabajo, vivienda, alejamientofamiliar y legalización son factores estresores para más de lamitad de esta población. El apoyo social es bajo. Tres cuartaspartes de los encuestados se sienten solos. Más de la mitadde esta población ve cumplidas total o parcialmente sus expectativasmigratorias y un 11% considera estar peor.Conclusiones: Las principales áreas de acción pasan por reforzarla información sobre condiciones de acceso al sistemasanitario, fomentar la interacción social y el asociacionismoentre los inmigrantes, especialmente durante las primeras fasesdel proceso migratorio, y facilitar las actividades religiosas. Pareceimportante formar a los profesionales sanitarios sobrelas culturas de origen(AU)

Introduction: The aim of this study was to gather informationon the healthcare background and social environment ofthe Maghrebian immigrant population in Catalonia in order toguide the management and provision of social services andthe work of the organizations supporting this collective.Methods: To gather data, we used a questionnaire exploringhealthcare and social variables, including stressors and socialsupport. Data collection was performed by pollsters in Arabic.Results: We performed 403 interviews. Most interviewees hada health card providing access to public healthcare and knewwhere to access healthcare. The most frequently used serviceswere primary care and emergency departments. In primarycare, almost all of the interviewees were provided explanations,but 30% were unable to understand them properly.Health professionals seemed to have inadequate awarenessof cultural and religious differences. Work, housing, distancefrom the family, and legal status were stressful factors for morethan half of this population. Social support was low. Three quartersof the interviewees felt lonely. More than half of this populationhad completely or partially fulfilled their expectationsof migration, while 11% felt they were in a worse situation.Conclusions: The main areas for improvement are the provisionof information on conditions of healthcare access, promotionof social interaction, the use of associations for immigrants—especially during the first phases of the migrationprocess— and facilitating religious activities. Health professionalsshould be provided with training in intercultural issues(AU)