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Use of Health Services and Unmet Need among Adults of Russian, Somali, and Kurdish Origin in Finland

Author

Listed:
  • Katja Çilenti

    (Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, 00271 Helsinki, Finland
    Department of Psychology and Logopedics, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland)

  • Shadia Rask

    (Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, 00271 Helsinki, Finland)

  • Marko Elovainio

    (Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, 00271 Helsinki, Finland
    Department of Psychology and Logopedics, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland)

  • Eero Lilja

    (Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, 00271 Helsinki, Finland)

  • Hannamaria Kuusio

    (Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, 00271 Helsinki, Finland)

  • Seppo Koskinen

    (Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, 00271 Helsinki, Finland)

  • Päivikki Koponen

    (Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, 00271 Helsinki, Finland)

  • Anu E. Castaneda

    (Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, 00271 Helsinki, Finland
    Department of Psychology and Logopedics, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland)

Abstract

Equal access to health care is one of the key policy priorities in many European societies. Previous findings suggest that there may be wide differences in the use of health services between people of migrant origin and the general population. We analyzed cross-sectional data from a random sample of persons of Russian (n = 692), Somali (n = 489), and Kurdish (n = 614) origin and the Health 2011 survey data (n = 1406) representing the general population in Finland. Having at least one outpatient visit to any medical doctor during the previous 12 months was at the same level for groups of Russian and Kurdish origin, but lower for people of Somali origin, compared with the general population. Clear differences were found when examining where health care services were sought: people of migrant origin predominantly visited a doctor at municipal health centers whereas the general population also used private and occupational health care. Self-reported need for doctor’s treatment was especially high among Russian women and Kurdish men and women. Compared to the general population, all migrant origin groups reported much higher levels of unmet medical need and were less satisfied with the treatment they had received. Improving basic-level health services would serve besides the population at large, the wellbeing of the population of migrant origin.

Suggested Citation

  • Katja Çilenti & Shadia Rask & Marko Elovainio & Eero Lilja & Hannamaria Kuusio & Seppo Koskinen & Päivikki Koponen & Anu E. Castaneda, 2021. "Use of Health Services and Unmet Need among Adults of Russian, Somali, and Kurdish Origin in Finland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-21, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:5:p:2229-:d:504982
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    References listed on IDEAS

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