Perceptions and Experiences of Health and Social Care Utilisation of the UK-Nepali Population

Edwin Van Teijlingen,Pramod Regmi,Rajeeb Kumar Sah,Bibha Simkhada,Yagya Murti Bhurtyal,Alan Mercel-Sanca

doi:10.1007/s10903-020-00976-w

Abstract

With the growing UK Nepali community, understanding their health and social careneeds is an essential to reduce health and social care inequalities. However, very littleis known about the health, wellbeing and utilisation of health and social care servicesamong the Nepali population in the UK. Therefore, this study set out to identify healthand social care needs of Nepali community. The mixed-methods study was conducted with the Nepali population living in London. Itconsists of a semi-structured survey (N = 345); three focus group discussions and threekey informant interviews. The mean age of the participants was 40.6 (± 17.6). About 28% of our sample reportedhaving chronic health problems. About 60% currently consume alcohol and 21% weresmokers. Male participants (35%) more likely to be physically active than females(21%). Registration with a family doctor/general practitioner (GP) was high (96%).However, uptake of disease screening was very low (28%). In the preceding year, 17%had experienced poor mental or emotional health. The findings also suggest language is a key barrier to utilise health and social careamong UK Nepali. We suggest removing the language barrier is essential step to improve access toavailable health and social care services. A culturally sensitive educational initiativecreating awareness about the structure of UK health and social care services isrequired to offer to this community.

Highlights

The Nepali population in the UK predominantly comprises of the retired British Gurkha soldiers and their families, accounting for about 60% of the total Nepali population in the UK [1]
This study aimed to: (a) identify health and social care needs of the Nepali community; (b) understand the gaps and barriers in accessing the available sexual and mental health services; (c) assess health inequalities experienced by Nepali population towards accessing health and social care services
We found the use of illegal drugs to be very low among our participants, key health workers suggested it may be higher in the Nepali community than in the general community

Summary

Introduction

The Nepali population in the UK predominantly comprises of the retired British Gurkha soldiers and their families, accounting for about 60% of the total Nepali population in the UK [1]. The Centre for Nepal Studies UK [4] estimated the total number to be 80,000 in 2012, whereas Nepali community organisations, including the UK Nepal Friendship Society (UKNFS), estimate the real number to be much higher in 2019. There have been limited studies understanding the health and wellbeing of the Nepali population and little is known about their utilisation of the health and social care services in the UK [5,6,7]. Health services are generally freely available to all population through National Health Services (NHS). Social care services are partly freely available and partly means tested for most of the population.

Objectives

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Results

Conclusion