Barriers to primary health care: perspectives of marginalized Roma women and healthcare professionals

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F61989592%3A15260%2F25%3A73635228" target="_blank" >RIV/61989592:15260/25:73635228 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

<a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12913-025-13482-2" target="_blank" >https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12913-025-13482-2</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-13482-2" target="_blank" >10.1186/s12913-025-13482-2</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Barriers to primary health care: perspectives of marginalized Roma women and healthcare professionals

Original language description

Background Marginalized Roma communities (MRCs) in Slovakia experience longstanding exclusion from essential services, including healthcare. Roma women, in particular, face compounded vulnerabilities that contribute to unequal access and poorer health outcomes. Despite increasing attention to these issues, a deeper understanding of the lived experiences that shape healthcare access in MRCs remains necessary.&lt;br /&gt; Methods A qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with 13 Roma mothers living in MRCS and 13 professionals working in healthcare, public health, or policy, including six of Roma origin. Data were analyzed using consensual qualitative research and thematic analysis to identify significant access barriers.&lt;br /&gt; Results Roma women face multiple, often interconnected barriers to accessing healthcare, many of which are rooted in longstanding structural inequalities. These include distrust of the health system stemming from prior discrimination, difficulties in understanding health-related information and navigating the system, and financial hardship. On the side of healthcare providers, barriers involve shortages in the healthcare workforce, poor care coordination, and discriminatory attitudes.&lt;br /&gt; Conclusions Improving access to healthcare for Roma women requires a comprehensive, multi-level strategy. Efforts should focus on building trust, improving communication, addressing financial and systemic obstacles, and investing in culturally sensitive primary care. Health promotion assistants play a crucial role in bridging the gaps between communities and healthcare providers. Culturally sensitive healthcare interventions and inclusive policies are essential to reducing health disparities and promoting equitable access.

Czech name

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Czech description

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Type

J_imp - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database

CEP classification

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OECD FORD branch

30304 - Public and environmental health

Project

—

Continuities

I - Institucionalni podpora na dlouhodoby koncepcni rozvoj vyzkumne organizace

Publication year

2025

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Name of the periodical

BMC HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH

ISSN

1472-6963

e-ISSN

—

Volume of the periodical

25

Issue of the periodical within the volume

1

Country of publishing house

GB - UNITED KINGDOM

Number of pages

12

Pages from-to

nestránkováno

UT code for WoS article

001586815800010

EID of the result in the Scopus database

2-s2.0-105017801515