Barriers to and Use of Health Care Services among Cross‐Border Migrants in Botswana: Implications for Public Health

Abstract

Despite increased emphasis on improving equity in health among all populations, there is growing consensus in the literature that cross‐border migrants often fail to use health services in host countries. Cross‐border migrants are a sub‐group whose health status and risks have not been widely researched, and who are systematically marginalised in the health care system in any country. This study used purposive sampling and snowballing to gather data from 137 cross‐border migrants from Zimbabwe. The biggest barriers to health care for cross‐border migrants were cost, negative attitudes of medical staff, fear of police or immigration, language and wanting a different doctor. The study has serious implications for public health, in terms of access to health care by non‐citizens, help‐seeking behaviours, cost of care and multicultural practice. Prevention/treatment and care intervention and education programmes in Botswana could also target migrants by acknowledging that they have a right to health.