Evaluation of self-competency of family physicians and family health workers in providing health services to Syrian children: an example from Ankara, Türkiye

Authors : Damla Özyürek, L Hilal Özcebe

Pages : 72-86

Doi:10.20518/tjph.1375539

View : 37 | Download : 42

Publication Date : 2024-04-26

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Objective: Türkiye is an immigrant-intensive country and primary health care services are the first health institution to apply for migrant children. In this research, it is aimed to evaluate how competent family physicians and family health workers working at where high Syrian migration population live consider themselves in providing health services to Syrian children. Methods: This descriptive research was conducted among 224 family health physician and 250 family health workers in seven districts with a high migrant population in Ankara, Türkiye. Language knowledge and abroad experience was asked to the participants. The questionnaire included the participants’ education on migrant health, their experience in providing health care to migrant people. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate factors associated with experiencing difficulties in serving immigrant children. Results: Over the third-four of the family physicians (78.9%) and more than one-third of the family health workers (31.6%) knew at least one foreign language (p<0.001). Cultural competence and taking immigrant health courses before graduation are associated with low level difficulty in providing child health care (p<0.05). Higher cultural competency scale score is associated lower health service difficulty level in proving health care to immigrant children (p<0.05). Conclusion: Health professionals have difficulties in providing health services to immigrant children due to training on migrant health and cultural differences. Development of migrant health education is important to reduce the difficulties experienced by health professionals. Supporting foreign language education will facilitate health professionals to remove barriers in communication.
Keywords : Migrant, Child Health, Health Service, Cultural Competency