A saúde dos imigrantes em Portugal

Abstract

INTRODUÇÃO O aumento da presença de imigrantes, em território português, conduziu a um contacto mais frequente dos profissionais de saúde com estas populações, culturalmente distintas, e que apresentam expectativas diferentes em relação à prestação de cuidados de saúde. Esta situação deu origem a problemas que, até então, nunca se tinham verificado, para o que muito contribuiu o modo como está organizado o sistema de saúde português, bem como o desconhecimento dos aspectos culturais e as representações sociais estereotipadas asso-ciadas a estes grupos, podendo condicionar, nos profissionais de saúde, atitudes e comportamentos desajustados em relação a estes indivíduos. Por outro lado, o acto de imigrar constitui, só por si, um fenómeno gerador de grande stress. O que coloca, desde logo, os imigrantes e suas famílias em situação de vulnerabilidade acrescida quando comparados com outros sectores da sociedade. Esta condição tenderá a agravar-se ao longo do tempo de permanência, no país receptor, já que irão ser sujeitos a condições de vida que potenciam o risco de adoecer, tornando-os utilizadores potenciais, ou regulares, do Serviço Nacional de Saúde português. Neste artigo pretende-se apresentar as principais di

Accessibility, Search and Use of Health Services by Children of Migrants in Portugal: Integrative Literature Review

“…The Declaration of the Rights of the Child also determines that every child will enjoy the rights set out by it, regardless of their national origin, with emphasis on principle 4, which defines that all children have the right to enjoy good health and as a they must be provided with adequate medical care (United Nations General Assembly, 1959). However, it must be noted that in cases of illegality, migrants only have access to health services in urgent/emergency situations, moments of vaccination, child health surveillance and treatment of infectious diseases that pose a risk to public health (Estrela, 2009).…”

“…Through the descriptors "Accessibility", "Health" and "Migrants", and the inclusion criteria: research articles and articles in scientific journals published between 2009 and 2019, and after exclusion by title and abstract, 7 articles. Results: When compared to the non-migrant population, the migrant population has less accessibility to health services, despite being offered the means to enjoy primary health care (Estrela, 2009;Padilla, et al, 2013;Matos, et al, 2015). In addition, they are a group that makes little use of health services, making use mainly of the Emergency Department (Estrela, 2009;Ramos, 2009;Topa et al, 2013;Jordão et al, 2018).…”

“…Results: When compared to the non-migrant population, the migrant population has less accessibility to health services, despite being offered the means to enjoy primary health care (Estrela, 2009;Padilla, et al, 2013;Matos, et al, 2015). In addition, they are a group that makes little use of health services, making use mainly of the Emergency Department (Estrela, 2009;Ramos, 2009;Topa et al, 2013;Jordão et al, 2018). Conclusion: Differences in accessibility, demand and use of health services in the migrant population are explained by the fear of being extradited, by the scarcity of health and legal information.…”

Immigrant’s Access To Healthcare Services. The Portuguese Case

“…▪ the lack of information regarding bureaucratic formalities ▪ the difficulty in understanding/using the language of the host country ▪ the lack of individuals with competence in the area of the mother tongue of these populations ▪ the lack of habits in using health services ▪ the establishment of a poor interpersonal relationship with health professionals ▪ the clandestine status and the fear of being reported to the authorities (Fonseca, 2005;Estrela, 2009).…”

“…Thus, although the law ensures access to the National Service of Health, many migrants deal with difficulties in accessing public health services, obtaining a user card or even paying the fees (Chauvin & Parizot, 2007;Estrela, 2009;Padilla, 2013). According to several studies (ERS, 2015;Matos et al, 2015;Padilla, 2013), immigrant's main constraints in Portugal, regarding the access to healthcare can be ordered in six major features: legislative, economic, structural, organizational, cultural and linguistic barriers.…”