Immigrants’ Adherence to Child Health Surveillance Services in Portugal: a Grounded-theory

Abstract

Given that immigrant children are a vulnerable group regarding health (Javier et al., 2009), it is important to promote their adherence to Child Health Surveillance Services (CHSS). Evidence suggests lower rates of adherence to CHSS among immigrant children (vs. non-immigrants, Javier et al., 2009), but little is known about the determinants of this behavior. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a Grounded Theory (GT) on the determinants of adherence to CHSS, of Cape Verdean and Brazilian immigrants in Portugal. 5 Focus Groups (n=19 immigrants) and 15 in-depth interviews were conducted; with Cape Verdean, Brazilian and Portuguese child caregivers, from different socioeconomic conditions. Data was analyzed using a grounded-theory methodology (Strauss & Corbin, 1990). Adherence to CHSS is a nuclear and multidimensional concept with several determinants at different levels of analysis. Some of the main determinants are: the degree of similarity between consults/health-care providers of origin and host countries; caregivers’ and health-care providers’ practices and socioeconomic conditions. These findings may contribute to improve immigrant’s adherence to CHSS.