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Migration-related determinants of health-care service utilization among persons with a direct migration background in Germany: an exploratory study based on the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP)

Author

Listed:
  • Thomas Grochtdreis

    (University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf)

  • Hans-Helmut König

    (University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf)

  • Judith Dams

    (University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf)

Abstract

Background It is known that the health-care service utilization in primary care of persons with a direct migration background is lower compared to non-migrants. However, potential migration-related determinants of health-care service utilization are not known. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the associations between health-care service utilization and migration-related characteristics of persons with a direct migration background in Germany. Methods The migration samples (M1 and M2) of the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP) were used as the sample for this study. Associations between the number of visits to primary care physicians in the previous three months and migration-related characteristics were examined using generalized linear models. Associations between the hospitalization within one year and migration-related characteristics were examined using logit models. Results The mean number of visits to primary care physicians was about 2, and 8% of persons were hospitalized. Being born in a country other than Russia was associated with a higher number of visits to primary care physicians (+ 26% to + 34%). Both, a very strong connectedness with the country of birth and very good oral German language skills were associated with higher number of visits to primary care physicians (both + 13%) compared to no connectedness and fairly bad oral German language skills. Conclusion Only the country of birth, connectedness with the country of birth and oral German language skills may be migration-related determinants of health-care service utilization with regard to the number of visits to primary care physicians by persons with a direct migration background in Germany. With regard to hospitalization, no potential migration-related determinants of health-care service utilization could be identified.

Suggested Citation

  • Thomas Grochtdreis & Hans-Helmut König & Judith Dams, 2025. "Migration-related determinants of health-care service utilization among persons with a direct migration background in Germany: an exploratory study based on the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP)," The European Journal of Health Economics, Springer;Deutsche Gesellschaft für Gesundheitsökonomie (DGGÖ), vol. 26(2), pages 313-323, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:eujhec:v:26:y:2025:i:2:d:10.1007_s10198-024-01708-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s10198-024-01708-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Patrick Brzoska & Ute Ellert & Ahmet Kimil & Oliver Razum & Anke-Christine Sass & Ramazan Salman & Hajo Zeeb, 2015. "Reviewing the topic of migration and health as a new national health target for Germany," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 60(1), pages 13-20, January.
    2. Appels, A. & Bosma, H. & Grabauskas, V. & Gostautas, A. & Sturmans, F., 1996. "Self-rated health and mortality in a Lithuanian and a Dutch population," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 42(5), pages 681-689, March.
    3. Thomas Grochtdreis & Hans-Helmut König & Judith Dams, 2021. "Health Care Services Utilization of Persons with Direct, Indirect and without Migration Background in Germany: A Longitudinal Study Based on the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-14, November.
    4. Thomas Grochtdreis & Hans-Helmut König & Judith Dams, 2021. "Health-Related Quality of Life of Persons with Direct, Indirect and No Migration Background in Germany: A Cross-Sectional Study Based on the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-12, April.
    5. Van der Stuyft, Patrick & De Muynck, Aimé & Schillemans, Leo & Timmerman, Chris, 1989. "Migration, acculturation and utilization of primary health care," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 29(1), pages 53-60, January.
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    JEL classification:

    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality
    • I15 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Economic Development

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