Kidane Yonas Semere, Ziegler Sandra, Keck Verena, Benson-Martin Janine, Jahn Albrecht, Gebresilassie Temesghen, Beiersmann Claudia
Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
Department of General Practice and Health Services Research, Section Health Equity Studies & Migration, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Nov 3;18(21):11559. doi: 10.3390/ijerph182111559.
Oral health concerns in Eritrean refugees have been an overlooked subject. This qualitative study explored the access of Eritrean refugees and asylum-seekers (ERNRAS) to oral health care services in Heidelberg, Germany, as well as their perceptions and attitudes towards oral health care. It involved 25 participants. We employed online semi-structured interviews ( = 15) and focus group discussions ( = 2). The data was recorded, transcribed, and analysed, using thematic analysis. The study found out that most of the participants have a relatively realistic perception and understanding of oral health. However, they have poor dental care practices, whilst a few have certain misconceptions of the conventional oral hygiene tools. Along with the majority's concerns regarding psychosocial attributes of poor oral health, some participants are routinely consuming Berbere (a traditional spice-blended pepper) to prevent bad breath. Structural or supply-side barriers to oral healthcare services included: communication hurdles; difficulty in identifying and navigating the German health system; gaps in transculturally, professionally, and communicationally competent oral health professionals; cost of dental treatment; entitlement issues (asylum-seekers); and appointment mechanisms. Individual or demand-side barriers comprised: lack of self-sufficiency; issue related to dental care beliefs, trust, and expectation from dentists; negligence and lack of adherence to dental treatment follow-up; and fear or apprehension of dental treatment. To address the oral health burdens of ERNRAS, it is advised to consider oral health education, language-specific, inclusive, and culturally and professionally appropriate healthcare services.
厄立特里亚难民的口腔健康问题一直是一个被忽视的主题。这项定性研究探讨了厄立特里亚难民和寻求庇护者（ERNRAS）在德国海德堡获得口腔保健服务的情况，以及他们对口腔保健的看法和态度。该研究涉及25名参与者。我们采用了在线半结构化访谈（=15）和焦点小组讨论（=2）。数据被记录、转录并使用主题分析进行分析。研究发现，大多数参与者对口腔健康有相对现实的认知和理解。然而，他们的牙齿护理习惯很差，少数人对传统口腔卫生工具存在某些误解。除了大多数人对口腔健康不良的心理社会属性的担忧外，一些参与者经常食用柏柏尔（一种传统的混合香料胡椒）来预防口臭。口腔保健服务的结构性或供应方障碍包括：沟通障碍；难以识别和融入德国医疗系统；跨文化、专业和沟通能力强的口腔健康专业人员存在缺口；牙科治疗费用；资格问题（寻求庇护者）；以及预约机制。个人或需求方障碍包括：缺乏自给自足；与牙齿护理信念、对牙医的信任和期望有关的问题；疏忽和不遵守牙科治疗后续安排；以及对牙科治疗的恐惧或担忧。为了解决ERNRAS的口腔健康负担，建议考虑开展口腔健康教育，提供语言特定、包容且文化和专业上合适的医疗服务。
