Abstract
BackgroundLow participation rates among ethnic minorities in preventive healthcare services are worrisome and not well understood. The objective of this study was to explore how adults of Turkish and Moroccan origin living in the Netherlands, aged 45 years and older, can be reached to participate in health checks for cardio-metabolic diseases and follow-up (lifestyle) advice.MethodsThis mixed-methods study used a convergent parallel design, to combine data of one quantitative study and three qualitative studies. Questionnaire data were included of 310 respondents, and interview data from 22 focus groups and four individual interviews. Participants were recruited via a research database, general practitioners and key figures. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively and qualitative data were analysed using a thematic approach.ResultsRegarding health checks, 50 % (95 % CI 41;59) of the Turkish questionnaire respondents and 66 % (95 % CI 57;76) of the Moroccan questionnaire respondents preferred an invitation from their general practitioner. The preferred location to fill out the health check questionnaire was for both ethnic groups the general practitioner’s office or at home, on paper. Regarding advice, both groups preferred to receive advice at individual level rather than in a group, via either a physician or a specialised healthcare professional. It was emphasised that the person who gives lifestyle advice should be familiar with the (eating) habits of the targeted individual. Sixty-one percent (95 % CI 53;69) of the Turkish respondents preferred to receive information in their native language compared to 37 % (95 % CI 29;45) of the Moroccan respondents. Several participants mentioned a low proficiency in the local language as an explanation for their preference to fill out the health check questionnaire at home, to receive advice from an ethnic-matched professional, and to receive information in their native language.ConclusionsThe general practitioner is considered as a promising contact to reach adults of Turkish and Moroccan origin for health checks or (lifestyle) advice. It might be necessary to provide information in individuals’ native language to overcome language barriers. In addition, (lifestyle) advice must be tailored. The obtained insight into preferences of Turkish and Moroccan adults regarding reach for preventive healthcare services could help professionals to successfully target these groups.
Highlights
Low participation rates among ethnic minorities in preventive healthcare services are worrisome and not well understood
Health check Regarding reach for a health check, the following topics were examined: preferred source of invitation and preferred location to fill out a health check questionnaire
Woman 2: “They will take it more seriously, because they hear it themselves, not via another, no, directly.” (Moroccan female adult children). This current mixed-methods study gave valuable insights into what might be needed in order to reach individuals of Turkish and Moroccan origin in the Netherlands for two different activities: a health check and advice
Summary
Low participation rates among ethnic minorities in preventive healthcare services are worrisome and not well understood. In the Netherlands, as in several other European countries, individuals of Turkish and Moroccan origin are the two largest non-Western ethnic minority groups [6]. Among these ethnic minorities, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes is relatively high compared to the host population [7,8,9]. In the Netherlands, individuals of Turkish and Moroccan origin have a relatively high prevalence of physical inactivity and overweight compared to individuals of Dutch origin [12, 13] Given their elevated risk, these groups in particular could benefit from preventive health services
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