Health-promoting lifestyles of Japanese expatriates residing in the Philippines and Thailand

Nakai, Ai; Imoto, Chie; Miyai, Nobuyuki; Yamada, Kazuko; Morioka, Ichiro

doi:10.1177/2050312119880747

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

References 18 publications

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“…For example, Miyashita et al reported that 25% of Japanese chose to retire in Thailand and marry Thai women [ 21 ]. Nakai et al also found that 25.3% of male Japanese expatriates residing in the Philippines and Thailand generally lived with a non-Japanese partner [ 33 ]. A study on the health and social welfare of expatriates in Southeast Asia conducted by Wilde and Gollogly also revealed that over 90% of expatriates in Thailand were male and of old age, and some of them married their local partners and raised families there [ 34 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Health Status and Barriers to Healthcare Access among “Son-in-Law Westerners”: A Qualitative Case Study in the Northeast of Thailand

Julchoo

Pudpong

Phaiyarom

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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The northeast of Thailand is well-known as a popular destination where many male Westerners marry Thai women and settle down there. However, little is known about their health and well-being. This study aims to explore the Western husbands’ health status and identify barriers hindering their healthcare access. A qualitative case study was conducted from November 2020 to May 2021. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions with 42 key informants who were involved with social and health issues among these expatriates were carried out. The social determinants framework was adapted for guiding the interviews. Data were triangulated with field notes, document reviews, and researchers’ observations. Inductive thematic analysis was applied. Results showed that most male expatriates who married Thai women in the northeast were in their retirement years and had non-communicable diseases, health risk behaviors, and mental health problems. Most of them did not purchase health insurance and held negative impressions toward Thai public hospitals’ quality of care, which was denoted as the main barrier to accessing healthcare services. Other significant barriers consisted of high treatment costs commonly charged by private hospitals and language issues. While the improvement of healthcare quality and the provision of friendly health services are important, public communication with foreign residents, especially male expatriates, is recommended to increase understanding and improve perceptions of the Thai healthcare systems. A regular population-based survey on the health and well-being of expatriates in Thailand, a cost study of a health insurance package, a survey study on willingness to pay for health insurance premiums, and a feasibility survey exploring the opportunity to establish either voluntary or compulsory health insurance among this group should be undertaken.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%