A Qualitative study of language barriers between South African health care providers and cross-border migrants

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorHunter-Adams, Jo
dc.contributor.authorRother, Hanna-Andrea
dc.date.accessioned2021-10-08T06:20:24Z
dc.date.available2021-10-08T06:20:24Z
dc.date.issued2017
dc.description.abstractAbstract Background Communication with health care providers represents an essential part of access to health care for the over 230 million cross-border migrants around the world. In this article, we explore the complexity of health communication from the perspective of cross-border migrants seeking antenatal care in Cape Town, South Africa in order to highlight the importance of high quality medical interpretation. Methods As part of a broader study of migrant maternal and infant nutrition, we conducted a secondary data analysis of semi-structured in-depth interviews (N = 23) with Congolese (n = 7), Somali (n = 8) and Zimbabwean (n = 8) women living in Cape Town, as well as nine focus group discussions (including men: n = 3 and women: n = 6) were conducted with migrant Somalis, Congolese, and Zimbabweans (N = 48). We first used content analysis to gather all data related to language and communication. We then analysed this data thematically. Results Zimbabwean participants described how the inability to speak the local South African language (IsiXhosa) gave rise to labelling and stereotyping by healthcare staff. Congolese and Somali participants described medical procedures, including tubal ligation, which were performed without consent. Partners often tried to play the role of interpreter, which resulted in loss of income and non-professional medical interpretation. Participants’ highlighted fears over unwanted procedures or being unable to access care. Challenges of communication without a common language (and without professional medical interpretation), rather than outright denial of care by healthcare professionals, mediated these encounters. Conclusion Although there are several factors impeding cross-border migrants’ access to health care, effective communication is a prerequisite for quality care. Free-to-patient professional medical interpretation would not only benefit migrant populations but would benefit the broader community where language and health literacy are barriers to accessing health care. Novel approaches to language access may include technology-enabled professional interpretation.
dc.identifier.apacitationHunter-Adams, J., & Rother, H. (2017). A Qualitative study of language barriers between South African health care providers and cross-border migrants. <i>BMC Health Services Research</i>, 17(1), 174 - 177. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34270en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationHunter-Adams, Jo, and Hanna-Andrea Rother "A Qualitative study of language barriers between South African health care providers and cross-border migrants." <i>BMC Health Services Research</i> 17, 1. (2017): 174 - 177. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34270en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationHunter-Adams, J. & Rother, H. 2017. A Qualitative study of language barriers between South African health care providers and cross-border migrants. <i>BMC Health Services Research.</i> 17(1):174 - 177. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34270en_ZA
dc.identifier.issn1472-6963
dc.identifier.ris TY - Journal Article AU - Hunter-Adams, Jo AU - Rother, Hanna-Andrea AB - Abstract Background Communication with health care providers represents an essential part of access to health care for the over 230 million cross-border migrants around the world. In this article, we explore the complexity of health communication from the perspective of cross-border migrants seeking antenatal care in Cape Town, South Africa in order to highlight the importance of high quality medical interpretation. Methods As part of a broader study of migrant maternal and infant nutrition, we conducted a secondary data analysis of semi-structured in-depth interviews (N = 23) with Congolese (n = 7), Somali (n = 8) and Zimbabwean (n = 8) women living in Cape Town, as well as nine focus group discussions (including men: n = 3 and women: n = 6) were conducted with migrant Somalis, Congolese, and Zimbabweans (N = 48). We first used content analysis to gather all data related to language and communication. We then analysed this data thematically. Results Zimbabwean participants described how the inability to speak the local South African language (IsiXhosa) gave rise to labelling and stereotyping by healthcare staff. Congolese and Somali participants described medical procedures, including tubal ligation, which were performed without consent. Partners often tried to play the role of interpreter, which resulted in loss of income and non-professional medical interpretation. Participants’ highlighted fears over unwanted procedures or being unable to access care. Challenges of communication without a common language (and without professional medical interpretation), rather than outright denial of care by healthcare professionals, mediated these encounters. Conclusion Although there are several factors impeding cross-border migrants’ access to health care, effective communication is a prerequisite for quality care. Free-to-patient professional medical interpretation would not only benefit migrant populations but would benefit the broader community where language and health literacy are barriers to accessing health care. Novel approaches to language access may include technology-enabled professional interpretation. DA - 2017 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town IS - 1 J1 - BMC Health Services Research LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PY - 2017 SM - 1472-6963 T1 - A Qualitative study of language barriers between South African health care providers and cross-border migrants TI - A Qualitative study of language barriers between South African health care providers and cross-border migrants UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34270 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/34270
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationHunter-Adams J, Rother H. A Qualitative study of language barriers between South African health care providers and cross-border migrants. BMC Health Services Research. 2017;17(1):174 - 177. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34270.en_ZA
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Public Health and Family Medicine
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Health Sciences
dc.sourceBMC Health Services Research
dc.source.journalissue1
dc.source.journalvolume17
dc.source.pagination174 - 177
dc.source.urihttps://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12913-017-2042-5
dc.subject.otherHealth care access
dc.subject.otherLanguage
dc.subject.otherMedical interpretation
dc.subject.otherMigrant health
dc.subject.otherRefugee health
dc.subject.otherSouth Africa
dc.subject.otherAdult
dc.subject.otherAfrican Continental Ancestry Group
dc.subject.otherCommunication
dc.subject.otherCommunication Barriers
dc.subject.otherEmigration and Immigration
dc.subject.otherFemale
dc.subject.otherFocus Groups
dc.subject.otherHealth Personnel
dc.subject.otherHealth Services Accessibility
dc.subject.otherHumans
dc.subject.otherInterviews as Topic
dc.subject.otherMale
dc.subject.otherProfessional-Patient Relations
dc.subject.otherQualitative Research
dc.subject.otherSomalia
dc.subject.otherSouth Africa
dc.subject.otherTransients and Migrants
dc.titleA Qualitative study of language barriers between South African health care providers and cross-border migrants
dc.typeJournal Article
uct.type.publicationResearch
uct.type.resourceJournal Article
Files
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
HunterAdamsJo_A_Qualitative_s_2017.pdf
Size:
393.78 KB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
Download
Collections
Journal Articles