Tew Sdney Jia Eer, Sim Yi Ting, Chong Yee Sin, Ng Qi Xuan, Lee Ronald Fook Seng, Wong Wei Jin, Lee Shaun Wen Huey
School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500, Selangor, Malaysia.
J Racial Ethn Health Disparities. 2024 Dec 23. doi: 10.1007/s40615-024-02274-9.
The indigenous people or 'Orang Asli' (OA) in Malaysia is a vulnerable group who lags behind in terms of socioeconomic, education and health. Despite numerous developments, health disparities still exist among the OA, resulting in varying health outcomes. This study aimed to identify barriers to providing healthcare to OA by healthcare professionals (HCPs) in Malaysia.
Semi-structure interview was conducted with 20 HCPs who have experience working with OA communities. Data were analysed thematically using the Health Care Access Barriers model as a framework.
Our study identified three themes which improve or hinder access to health care among OA communities. The main perceived barriers were (1) structural barriers, (2) cognitive barriers and (3) financial barriers.
Our study illuminates how financial, structural and cognitive factors intersect to affect healthcare access among OA communities. To narrow the health outcome disparities, future research must engage with OA communities to ensure culturally appropriate and sustainable healthcare delivery.
马来西亚的原住民或“奥朗阿斯利人”（OA）是弱势群体，在社会经济、教育和健康方面落后。尽管有诸多发展，但OA群体之间仍存在健康差距，导致健康结果各异。本研究旨在确定马来西亚医疗保健专业人员（HCPs）为OA群体提供医疗保健的障碍。
对20名有与OA社区合作经验的HCPs进行了半结构化访谈。以医疗保健获取障碍模型为框架，对数据进行了主题分析。
我们的研究确定了三个改善或阻碍OA社区获得医疗保健的主题。主要的感知障碍是（1）结构障碍，（2）认知障碍和（3）财务障碍。
我们的研究阐明了财务、结构和认知因素如何相互作用，影响OA社区获得医疗保健的机会。为了缩小健康结果差距，未来的研究必须与OA社区合作，以确保提供符合文化背景且可持续的医疗保健服务。
