Difficulties Faced by Vietnamese Migrants in Japan in Accessing Healthcare During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Their Self-Reported Health Perceptions.

backgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affected migrant populations in Japan, including Vietnamese migrants, who faced distinct challenges in accessing healthcare compared to native Japanese citizens. These challenges, exacerbated by the structural complexities of Japan's healthcare system during the pandemic, likely influenced their subjective health perceptions. Nevertheless, studies on Vietnamese migrants' difficulties in healthcare access during the pandemic and their perceived health perceptions are lacking. To address this gap, the present study aimed to clarify the relationship between healthcare access difficulties and subjective health perceptions among this migrant group in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic.

methodsA repeated cross-sectional design was employed, targeting Vietnamese migrants aged 18 years and older living in Japan. From 2021 to 2023, annual online surveys were conducted to assess demographics, COVID-19 history, healthcare access difficulties, and subjective health perceptions. A binary logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the relationship between healthcare access difficulties when suspected of contracting COVID-19 infection and subjective health perceptions.

resultsThe number of survey participants totaled 631 in 2021, 214 in 2022, and 176 in 2023. The findings showed that in 2021, 26.1% of the respondents faced difficulties accessing healthcare when suspected of contracting COVID-19 infection. This was significantly associated with poor subjective health perception (odds ratio {OR}: 2.35; 95% confidence interval {CI}: 1.15-4.79). In 2022, 13.6% of the respondents reported difficulties accessing healthcare, also significantly associated with poor subjective health perception (OR: 2.75; 95% CI: 1.02-7.45). In 2023, 10.2% of the respondents faced difficulties, but no significant association with subjective health perception was observed (OR: 2.18; 95% CI: 0.72-6.63).

conclusionsDifficulties in accessing healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the subjective health perceptions of Vietnamese migrants residing in Japan, particularly in the early stages of the pandemic. Therefore, to improve and ensure equitable access to healthcare services for migrant populations during public health crises, there is a need to implement targeted interventions that reduce the barriers for these vulnerable groups.