Journal Article

Barriers to primary health care: perspectives of marginalized Roma women and healthcare professionals

Bobakova, Daniela Filakovska, Plavnicka, Jana Marosnikova, Veselska, Zuzana Dankulincova

2025

Overview

Background Marginalized Roma communities (MRCs) in Slovakia experience longstanding exclusion from essential services, including healthcare. Roma women, in particular, face compounded vulnerabilities that contribute to unequal access and poorer health outcomes. Despite increasing attention to these issues, a deeper understanding of the lived experiences that shape healthcare access in MRCs remains necessary. Methods A qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with 13 Roma mothers living in MRCs and 13 professionals working in healthcare, public health, or policy, including six of Roma origin. Data were analyzed using consensual qualitative research and thematic analysis to identify significant access barriers. Results Roma women face multiple, often interconnected barriers to accessing healthcare, many of which are rooted in longstanding structural inequalities. These include distrust of the health system stemming from prior discrimination, difficulties in understanding health-related information and navigating the system, and financial hardship. On the side of healthcare providers, barriers involve shortages in the healthcare workforce, poor care coordination, and discriminatory attitudes. Conclusions Improving access to healthcare for Roma women requires a comprehensive, multi-level strategy. Efforts should focus on building trust, improving communication, addressing financial and systemic obstacles, and investing in culturally sensitive primary care. Health promotion assistants play a crucial role in bridging the gaps between communities and healthcare providers. Culturally sensitive healthcare interventions and inclusive policies are essential to reducing health disparities and promoting equitable access.

• Publisher: BioMed Central,BioMed Central Ltd,Springer Nature B.V,BMC
• Subject: Amplifying Marginalized Voices: conducting health services research by or with marginalized communities / Beliefs, opinions and attitudes / Community centers / Demographic aspects / Discrimination / Discrimination in medical care / Financial vulnerability / Health Administration / Health aspects / Health care access / Health care industry / Health care reform / Health disparities / Health education / Health Informatics / Health literacy / Healthcare access / Human papillomavirus / Immunization / Interviews / Marginalized Roma communities / Mediation / Medical personnel / Medical research / Medicine / Medicine & Public Health / Minority women / Nursing Research / Primary care / Primary health care / Professional ethics / Professionals / Public Health / Qualitative research / Roma women / Romani people / Romanies / Social aspects / Social exclusion / Women / Womens health