Migrants: Social and Economic, Conditions Affecting, Health and Utilization of Health Services Provided by Russian Medical Facilities (Survey Results, St ...

Abstract

Study of migrants’ health is substantiated by the fact that their health is under-investigated, however, it is of great importance to the Russian population because migrants have higher prevalence rates of dangerous infectious diseases compared to local population. Furthermore, scientists from the CIS countries report deterioration of health of people leaving for better earnings, that negatively affects public health in host countries, since migrants save on health care, trying to earn as much as possible.  The purpose was to study social and economic conditions of life which affect migrants’ health. Subject of the study - health behavior of migrants: risks related to infectious diseases, medical activity, attitudes to purchasing a voluntary medical insurance policy.  As a research method we used a structured interview with visitors of the Integrated Migration Center in St. Petersburg who came to get a work permit. A total of 150 respondents included 69.3% men and 30.7% women. The average age of respondents added up to 33 years (32 years for men and 36 years – for women). The study included respondents from nine countries of the CIS countries, as well as Turkish citizens.  The study showed that migrants face more working hours, considerably overcrowded accommodation, and malnutrition. Over the last 12 month residence in Russia only 13.6% of men and 43.5% of women once or twice visited a doctor. A significant share of migrants didn’t consult a doctor for cost reasons. Only 33.9% of men and 19.2% of women expressed their readiness to spend more than 2,000 rubles a year for medical insurance, which corresponds to its estimated cost in St. Petersburg in 2015.