Healthcare access barriers and utilization among the Arab Bedouin population in Israel: a cross-sectional study
Abstract Background The Arab Bedouin Muslim minority in Israel, is one of the country’s most vulnerable groups. They are residents of the Israeli geographical and social periphery. Bedouin’s healthcare service utilization is shaped by its sociocultural and environmental characteristics. This study e...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-02-01
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| Series: | International Journal for Equity in Health |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-025-02398-2 |
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| author | Haneen Shibli Paula Feder-Bubis Nihaya Daoud Limor Aharonson-Daniel |
| author_facet | Haneen Shibli Paula Feder-Bubis Nihaya Daoud Limor Aharonson-Daniel |
| author_sort | Haneen Shibli |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The Arab Bedouin Muslim minority in Israel, is one of the country’s most vulnerable groups. They are residents of the Israeli geographical and social periphery. Bedouin’s healthcare service utilization is shaped by its sociocultural and environmental characteristics. This study explores healthcare access barriers and utilization patterns among the Arab Bedouin population, focusing on two types of legal status locality: a legally recognized Bedouin town and the surrounding unrecognized villages. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study among Arab Bedouin adults (N = 246) residing in a Bedouin recognized town and unrecognized villages. Using an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire in Arabic. We collected information about healthcare visits, types of services accessed, access barriers and the factors influencing healthcare-seeking behavior. Multivariate linear regression was conducted to examine the predictors of healthcare services utilization. Results Of the 246 participants, 60% resided in a recognized Bedouin town and 40% resided in unrecognized villages. Most participants were female (61%) and the mean age was 37.8 ± 13.9 years. The findings showed that barriers to seeking care differed based on the residence town’s legal status. While residents of unrecognized villages face significant physical access barriers, they also show a notable reliance on cross-border healthcare providers, particularly in the Palestinian Authority. Chronic medical conditions (B = 1.147, p < 0.001), gender (B = -0.459, p < 0.01), and parental status (B = 0.667, p = 0.001) have been identified as strong predictors of healthcare service utilization. Conclusion This study offers new insights regarding the complexity of healthcare access and utilization in the Arab Bedouin population in Israel, emphasizing that barriers are not only structural but also deeply intertwined with cultural and linguistic factors. The study highlights the universal message of addressing both physical and systemic barriers to healthcare access, ensuring that healthcare services are culturally and linguistically tailored to the specific needs of marginalized populations locally and globally. These findings provide actionable insights for policymakers emphasizing the need to improve health equity by addressing the access barriers faced by the Arab Bedouin population, including structural, cultural, and linguistic challenges, and ensuring targeted interventions for marginalized communities both locally and globally. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8d3905dbe53647eb9067fde11579f82e |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1475-9276 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal for Equity in Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-8d3905dbe53647eb9067fde11579f82e2025-08-20T03:00:59ZengBMCInternational Journal for Equity in Health1475-92762025-02-0124111010.1186/s12939-025-02398-2Healthcare access barriers and utilization among the Arab Bedouin population in Israel: a cross-sectional studyHaneen Shibli0Paula Feder-Bubis1Nihaya Daoud2Limor Aharonson-Daniel3Faculty of Health Sciences School of Public Health, Ben-Gurion University of the NegevPREPARED Centre for Emergency Response Research, Ben-Gurion University of the NegevFaculty of Health Sciences School of Public Health, Ben-Gurion University of the NegevFaculty of Health Sciences School of Public Health, Ben-Gurion University of the NegevAbstract Background The Arab Bedouin Muslim minority in Israel, is one of the country’s most vulnerable groups. They are residents of the Israeli geographical and social periphery. Bedouin’s healthcare service utilization is shaped by its sociocultural and environmental characteristics. This study explores healthcare access barriers and utilization patterns among the Arab Bedouin population, focusing on two types of legal status locality: a legally recognized Bedouin town and the surrounding unrecognized villages. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study among Arab Bedouin adults (N = 246) residing in a Bedouin recognized town and unrecognized villages. Using an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire in Arabic. We collected information about healthcare visits, types of services accessed, access barriers and the factors influencing healthcare-seeking behavior. Multivariate linear regression was conducted to examine the predictors of healthcare services utilization. Results Of the 246 participants, 60% resided in a recognized Bedouin town and 40% resided in unrecognized villages. Most participants were female (61%) and the mean age was 37.8 ± 13.9 years. The findings showed that barriers to seeking care differed based on the residence town’s legal status. While residents of unrecognized villages face significant physical access barriers, they also show a notable reliance on cross-border healthcare providers, particularly in the Palestinian Authority. Chronic medical conditions (B = 1.147, p < 0.001), gender (B = -0.459, p < 0.01), and parental status (B = 0.667, p = 0.001) have been identified as strong predictors of healthcare service utilization. Conclusion This study offers new insights regarding the complexity of healthcare access and utilization in the Arab Bedouin population in Israel, emphasizing that barriers are not only structural but also deeply intertwined with cultural and linguistic factors. The study highlights the universal message of addressing both physical and systemic barriers to healthcare access, ensuring that healthcare services are culturally and linguistically tailored to the specific needs of marginalized populations locally and globally. These findings provide actionable insights for policymakers emphasizing the need to improve health equity by addressing the access barriers faced by the Arab Bedouin population, including structural, cultural, and linguistic challenges, and ensuring targeted interventions for marginalized communities both locally and globally.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-025-02398-2Access barriersArab bedouin populationHealthcare disparitiesHealthcare utilizationMinority |
| spellingShingle | Haneen Shibli Paula Feder-Bubis Nihaya Daoud Limor Aharonson-Daniel Healthcare access barriers and utilization among the Arab Bedouin population in Israel: a cross-sectional study International Journal for Equity in Health Access barriers Arab bedouin population Healthcare disparities Healthcare utilization Minority |
| title | Healthcare access barriers and utilization among the Arab Bedouin population in Israel: a cross-sectional study |
| title_full | Healthcare access barriers and utilization among the Arab Bedouin population in Israel: a cross-sectional study |
| title_fullStr | Healthcare access barriers and utilization among the Arab Bedouin population in Israel: a cross-sectional study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Healthcare access barriers and utilization among the Arab Bedouin population in Israel: a cross-sectional study |
| title_short | Healthcare access barriers and utilization among the Arab Bedouin population in Israel: a cross-sectional study |
| title_sort | healthcare access barriers and utilization among the arab bedouin population in israel a cross sectional study |
| topic | Access barriers Arab bedouin population Healthcare disparities Healthcare utilization Minority |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-025-02398-2 |
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