Change over time in migrantś self-assessed unmet health care need in Finland

Abstract

Abstract Background Previous studies have shown that people of foreign background (PFB) often experience barriers in accessing and utilizing medical care services. This study examines the potential change in unmet health care need among PFB living in Finland in two time points: 2018 and 2022. Furthermore, we study the potential factors (age, sex, education, treason for migration and country of origin) associated with the unmet health care need. Methods We used two nationally representative cross-sectional data sets: the Survey on well-being among foreign-born population (FinMonik, n = 6836; response rate 53.1%) in 2018-2019 and the National survey on health, well-being and service use among foreign-born population (MoniSuomi, n = 7838; response rate 44.1%) in 2022-2023. The analyses were limited to those aged 20-64-years. Our indicator for unmet health care need was based on the question: “Do you feel that you have adequately received primary care services during the past 12 months?'' Results Unmet health care need among PFB has increased significantly between the years 2018 and 2022 (p = 0.005). The prevalence of unmet health care need among PFB was 24.9% in 2018 and 33.7% in 2022. Preliminary results show that younger age, those who moved to Finland from Middle East and Africa, refugees and Ingrains Finns reported more frequently unmet health care need. Conclusions The increase of unmet health care need among PFB is alarming. More studies are needed to investigate the reasons behind the high rates of unmet health care need. Key messages • Unmet health care need is an indicator of problems in access to care. • Actions are needed to improve access to care among the migrant population in Finland.