Health Literacy of Migrants in Pakistan

Abstract

Health literacy is individual’s ability to understand, interpret and implement the health information to get better health outcomes or simply it is the know how about health-related issues. The study was carried out to find out the major factors/barriers affecting health of migrants residing in Lahore and how much impact does knowledge of language have on the understanding of health-related issues. The study has been conducted through a Printed qualitative census-like forms were given and filled as the means of collection of data. Personal interview was also subjected in most of the cases for elaborate view. The survey included almost 147 migrants of different nationalities and age groups in which 65% were male respondents and 35 % were female respondents. The survey was conducted within the migrants residing in different localities in Lahore, Pakistan. Data was collected, statistically analyzed and interpreted. It is found that almost 100% of female respondents and about 75% of male respondents thought  that the most common frequent hurdle is the lack of confidence and on personal interviewing all that was pertaining to the lack of knowledge of the resident country language .The survey findings of migrants in Pakistan are not at the level of satisfaction, as Majority of the respondents about 56% females and 45% males understood  the resident language at average level but not good enough to address their health care issues. On the issue of taking medicines regularly about 67% female and 68%male respondents responded in negative. About 77% female and 78% male migrants believed in face-to-face discussion with their health care provider for addressing their health care needs. It is concluded that there is need of active involvement of health care providers in educating, counseling, understanding and addressing the health issues related to the migrants. Different ways of communication and counseling can be adopted in order to maximize migrants’ health care benefits and less occurrence of risks associated with medical errors or drug misuse.