Eritrean Refugees' and Asylum-Seekers' Attitude towards and Access to Oral Healthcare in Heidelberg, Germany: A Qualitative Study.
Int J Environ Res Public Health
; 18(21)2021 11 03.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-34770072
ABSTRACT
Oral health concerns in Eritrean refugees have been an overlooked subject. This qualitative study explored the access of Eritrean refugees and asylum-seekers (ERNRAS) to oral health care services in Heidelberg, Germany, as well as their perceptions and attitudes towards oral health care. It involved 25 participants. We employed online semi-structured interviews (n = 15) and focus group discussions (n = 2). The data was recorded, transcribed, and analysed, using thematic analysis. The study found out that most of the participants have a relatively realistic perception and understanding of oral health. However, they have poor dental care practices, whilst a few have certain misconceptions of the conventional oral hygiene tools. Along with the majority's concerns regarding psychosocial attributes of poor oral health, some participants are routinely consuming Berbere (a traditional spice-blended pepper) to prevent bad breath. Structural or supply-side barriers to oral healthcare services included communication hurdles; difficulty in identifying and navigating the German health system; gaps in transculturally, professionally, and communicationally competent oral health professionals; cost of dental treatment; entitlement issues (asylum-seekers); and appointment mechanisms. Individual or demand-side barriers comprised lack of self-sufficiency; issue related to dental care beliefs, trust, and expectation from dentists; negligence and lack of adherence to dental treatment follow-up; and fear or apprehension of dental treatment. To address the oral health burdens of ERNRAS, it is advised to consider oral health education, language-specific, inclusive, and culturally and professionally appropriate healthcare services.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Refugees
Type of study:
Qualitative_research
Limits:
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Europa
Language:
En
Journal:
Int J Environ Res Public Health
Year:
2021
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Alemania