Barriers to preventive healthcare access in migrant parents of infants in Santiago, Chile, 2018

Abstract

Objective To identify barriers to preventive healthcare access in migrant parents of infants and young children in Santiago, Chile, 2018. Methods An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study, in a non-probability sample from 108 migrant parents of 0-4 years old children, attending at pre-primary schools in Santiago was designed. A self-administered questionnaire was used to determine variables, which was designed and validated through pilot tested after approval by an Ethics Committee. Sociodemographic characterization, preventive healthcare attendance, and barriers were measured. Results 7.8% of parents said their child was not attendant to healthcare and 48.5% of parents had difficulties to attend. The barriers were appointment and waiting time (63%), unknowledge (39.8%), and transport (11.1%). Conclusions The design of strategies to improve access to preventive healthcare in children considering determinants of health is needed.