Physical Barriers and Attitudes towards Accessing Healthcare in a Rural Muslim Population in Nepal

Authors

  • H.C. Ashworth College of Health and Agricultural Sciences, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
  • T.L. Roux College of Health and Agricultural Sciences, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
  • T.A. Krussig Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States of America
  • C. J. Buggy College of Health and Agricultural Sciences, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21276/apjhs.2020.7.1.2

Keywords:

healthcare access, healthcare attitudes, healthcare inequity, Muslim, Nepal, physical access, rural healthcare

Abstract

The 2015-2020 Nepali Government’s National Health Sector Strategy notes that Muslims have the lowest rates of healthcare utilization in Nepal without specifications as to factors associated with the low rate. This study assessed physical barriers and attitudes towards accessing healthcare amongst a rural Muslim population in the Nepali terai. Significant results indicated that the Muslim population was more likely to utilize distant public care than closer private care, and experienced longer travel times than their Hindu counterparts. Muslims also reported significantly lower satisfaction in healthcare accessibility. Results from this study verify this gap and indicate that transportation, satisfaction, and private vs. public care may be important factors. Future research should aim to identify and address the underlying mechanisms that lead to these large equity gaps.

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Author Biographies

H.C. Ashworth, College of Health and Agricultural Sciences, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, 

T.L. Roux, College of Health and Agricultural Sciences, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, 

T.A. Krussig, Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States of America

Pennsylvania State College of Medicine, 

C. J. Buggy, College of Health and Agricultural Sciences, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science,

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Published

2020-03-30

How to Cite

H.C. Ashworth, T.L. Roux, T.A. Krussig, & C. J. Buggy. (2020). Physical Barriers and Attitudes towards Accessing Healthcare in a Rural Muslim Population in Nepal. Asian Pacific Journal of Health Sciences, 7(1), 7–12. https://doi.org/10.21276/apjhs.2020.7.1.2