Health and Roma People in Turkey

Abstract

Background:The research and published literature on Roma health in Turkey is much more limited than in other European countries. Among these, there are hardly any published literature focusing on the health status, health indicators and health behaviors. Aims: The aim of this research is to describe the perceptions of health-related concepts and access and the use of health services and social determinants of the health of Roma people in Turkey. Study Design: Descriptive qualitative survey. Methods: The participants were chosen by random sampling. The semi-structured interview topic guide was developed from sources such as advice from the Romani community leaders, published evidence and personal experience from previous work with Roma communities.Non-directive open-ended questions allowed the exploration of their health status, how they conceptualize health and disease, their level of awareness on the impact of social determinants of health, on their health status and the access and use of health services. The data analysis was based on grounded theory. Analysis proceeded in four steps: 1. Reading and examining the transcripts separately using open coding, 2. Extracting the key words and codes from the transcripts and sorting them into categories, 3. Rereading the transcripts by using selective coding, and 4. Examining the categories derived from the open coding systematically and determining the concepts summarizing the material. Results:The survey results are compatible with the existing literature on Roma health and reveal that 1) there is a tight link between the lack of social determinants of health and the poor health status of Roma people 2) socioeconomic factors and cultural norms of the ethnic minority are suspicious factors 3) comparative and systematic research is needed to illuminate the actual health gaps and causal factors for them. Conclusion:The research proves that the need for comparative and systematic research in Turkey to determine the actual health status of Roma people and develop policies to combat the health disparities is profound.

Exploring the Barriers: A Qualitative Study about the Experiences of Mid-SES Roma Navigating the Spanish Healthcare System

“…These authors list five key predictors of culture-related communication problems: cultural differences in explanatory models of health and illness; differences in cultural values; cultural differences in patients’ preferences for doctor-patient relationships; racist/perceptual biases; and linguistic barriers [ 11 ] (p. 21). All of these findings concerning ethnic minorities in general have also been observed in studies focused specifically on the Roma [ 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ]. However, differences should also be recognised, especially in the current context of anti-Gypsyism [ 17 ], a racism that is also operating in healthcare settings.…”

“…All in all, the lack of cultural sensitivity in healthcare systems is often fed by the intolerance, prejudices, and stereotypes of some healthcare personnel towards all non-white clients, accentuated in the case of the Roma people as a result of long-lasting discrimination [ 14 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 ]. Although some efforts have been dedicated to exploring the barriers that the Roma community face in accessing the healthcare system in Spain [ 32 ], more research specifically addressing how these barriers are embodied, and looking at the cases not only of those who are in the most vulnerable social positions, but also of those who have stable socioeconomic positions and higher cultural capitals, can help us to better understand how anti-Roma sentiments underlie society, and specifically, the health-care system.…”

Unmet Health Needs of Roma Women in the Two Biggest Roma Communities in the Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina

“…Despite the compulsory health insurance system in the RS and the constitutionally guaranteed rights to health, there are other social determinants, such as poverty and education that override Roma women's capacity to address their health needs. Ekmekçi found a link between financial constraints and poorer socioeconomic determinants that leads to a high level of unmet health needs (20). Economic barriers include formal and informal payment of charges for health services, lack of financial resources for transport to the health care institutions, inability to pay communication costs, and limited funds for prescriptions or to pay health insurance costs (21).…”

Abortion in Islamic Ethics, and How it is Perceived in Turkey: A Secular, Muslim Country

“…A survey conducted between 1986 and 1989 in low income areas of Istanbul showed that women think that abortion is ethically permissible (Gürsoy 1992). Another field survey conducted in five different provinces of Turkey in 2014 showed that women widely have abortion and that they do not consider it a sin or an unethical behavior, since giving birth to a child whom they are incapable of looking after, would be a greater sin (Ekmekci 2015, 2016). The participants’ approval for abortion was higher in cases, when the pregnant is single, thinks she has way too much children than she can take care of or if the mother has disabled children.…”