Abstract ID: 72
Authors:
Amirah Zafirah Zaini
Tharani Loganathan
Hazreen Abdul Majid
Mahmoud Danaee
Affiliations:
Centre for Epidemiology and Evidence-Based Practice, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Health Sciences University, Parkwood Campus, Bournemouth, United Kingdom.
Abstract:Background: Migrant workers often face structural and sociocultural barriers to accessing healthcare. Although social determinants of health are increasing acknowledged, limited evidence exists on how acculturation and social support influence their access to healthcare in low- and middle-income countries. This study examined how acculturation (language proficiency and social interaction) and social support (from family, friends, and significant others) are associated with outpatient care use among Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia. It also explored whether social support mediates the relationship between acculturation and healthcare access. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 322 Indonesian migrant workers in the Klang Valley from October 2024 to February 2025. Participants were recruited using convenience and snowball sampling. Data were collected with support from community-based organisations using culturally adapted, validated instruments. Analysis involved descriptive statistics and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). Results: Most participants were middle-aged, Javanese, Muslim, and had completed secondary education. They majority were documented workers in the services sector, with about eight years of employment and a monthly income of RM1,700. Language proficiency was significantly associated with greater support from significant others (β=0.209, P=0.005), but not with support from family or friends. Social interaction was not associated with any type of social support. However, greater social interaction was significantly associated with lower outpatient care use (β= 0.192, P=0.008). Language proficiency was not linked to outpatient care use, and no mediation effects were observed. Conclusion: Social interaction, rather than language proficiency or social support, appears to influence healthcare-seeking behaviour, potentially reflecting reliance on informal care. These findings highlight the need for culturally sensitive and inclusive policies for equitable healthcare access among migrant workers.
Keywords: Migration and Health, Migrant workers, healthcare access, acculturation, social support
