ArticleBMC health services research2024
Access to healthcare services and factors associated with unmet needs among migrants in Phuket Province, Thailand, 2023: a cross-sectional mixed-method study.
Article in BMC health services research, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.
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6 citing papers in PubMed.
- Systematic review of cardiovascular care delivery across health systems in the Asia-Pacific: a regional roadmap for strengthening cardiovascular care.The Lancet regional health. Western Pacific · 2026Article
- Depression and quality of life among Thai and migrant sex workers in Thailand: a cross-sectional study.Journal of affective disorders · 2026Article
- "Treating myself first": Healthcare-seeking experiences among migrant workers in Thailand's fisheries sector.PLOS global public health · 2026Article
- Article
- Drivers of delay in reported malaria care-seeking in Myanmar and Thailand.Malaria journal · 2025Article
- Malaria care-seeking among febrile patients in Myanmar and Thailand: an accelerated failure time analysis.Research square · 2025Article
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5 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundPhuket Province is a major tourist destination with a migrant workforce accounting for 10% of its population. Despite governmental efforts to adjust health insurance policies, migrants face healthcare access challenges. This study examines the current healthcare access situation and factors associated with unmet needs among migrants in Phuket Province.
methodsWe used a cross-sectional mixed-methods approach, recruiting participants through snowball sampling from the Migrant Health Volunteer Network. Quantitative data were gathered using self-administered questionnaires, with unmet need defined as desired outpatient or recommended inpatient services not received at government hospitals. Multivariable logistic regression identified unmet need predictors, and we assessed the mediating effect of health insurance status. Qualitative data from three focus groups on healthcare access provided context and enriched the quantitative findings.
resultsThis study includes 296 migrants mainly from Myanmar. The overall unmet need prevalence was 14.86%, mainly attributed to having undocumented status (34.09%), affordability issues (20.45%), and language barriers (18.18%). Working in the fishery industry significantly increased unmet needs risk (aOR 2.68, 95% CI 1.08-6.62). Undocumented status contributed a marginal total effect of 4.86 (95% CI 1.62-14.54), with a natural indirect effect through uninsured status of only 1.16 (95% CI 0.88-1.52). Focus group participants used various medical resources, with insured individuals preferring hospital care, but faced obstacles due to undocumented status and language barriers.
conclusionValid legal documents, including work permits and visas, are crucial for healthcare access. Attention to fishery industry practices is needed. We recommend stakeholder discussions to streamline the process of obtaining and maintaining these documents for migrant workers. These improvements could enhance health insurance acquisition and ultimately improve healthcare affordability for this population. These insights could be applied to migrant workers in other urban and suburban area of Thailand regarding access to government healthcare facilities.
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