P-69 Non-Nationals’ Barriers to Health Care in Trinidad and Tobago 2023-2024: a Mixed Method Design
Author(s):
A Bridgelal , S Saisenarine , C Ramnarine , F Rahaman , H Gokool , V Ramdhanie , V Persad
Year of Presentation:
2025
Objectives: To determine the non-nationals’ barriers to
healthcare in Trinidad and Tobago by using a mixed method
study design to assess the views of both physicians providing healthcare and Venezuelan non-nationals receiving
healthcare.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on physicians (n=309) in Northwest, Eastern and Southwest Regional Health Authorities using a 25-item questionnaire to assess Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices. Data were analyzed with descriptive and frequency analysis (SPSSv29). Venezuelan non-nationals (n=10) in Trinidad were interviewed face-to-face to capture their demographics, experiences, and perceived deficiencies in Trinidad’s healthcare, data analyzed using thematic analysis (QDA Miner).
Results: The physicians said they were aware of the Health Policy (59%,n=181), agreed that Immigrants should have access to: Emergency Medical Services (96.4%,n=266), Primary Health Care Service for Maternal and Child Health Care (92.9%,n=286), Immunisation and Communicable Disease (89.9%,n=248) and Access to all Health Care Services including chronic non communicable diseases (60.7%,n=187) [p<0.001 for all]. Most common discrimination was observed daily (17.3%, n=51, p=0.002) as discourteous (33.1%, n=105, p<0.001). The most dominant theme arising from the face-to-face interviews with Venezuelan non-nationals (n=10) were waiting times at health facility (60%, n=6) and reports of inhumane treatment (60%, n=6).
Conclusion: Non-nationals reported a more negative view of healthcare when compared to physicians. Focused efforts on education, policy clarity, and anti-discrimination measures are crucial to improving healthcare delivery for immigrant populations in Trinidad and Tobago.