Identifying challenges and enabling factors in utilizing health care services by undocumented immigrant women: a scoping review of qualitative research
Abstract Background Undocumented immigrant women often face significant barriers in accessing healthcare services, which can adversely affect their health outcomes. This scoping review aims to identify the main challenges and enabling factors to undocumented immigrant women’s health service utilizat...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s41043-025-01051-6 |
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| author | Manal Etemadi Saeed Shahabi Maryam Hedayati Kamran Bagheri Lankarani Masoud Behzadifar Neda Defaee Rad |
| author_facet | Manal Etemadi Saeed Shahabi Maryam Hedayati Kamran Bagheri Lankarani Masoud Behzadifar Neda Defaee Rad |
| author_sort | Manal Etemadi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Undocumented immigrant women often face significant barriers in accessing healthcare services, which can adversely affect their health outcomes. This scoping review aims to identify the main challenges and enabling factors to undocumented immigrant women’s health service utilization and evaluate the methodological quality of existing qualitative studies on this topic. Methods PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and ProQuest were searched until the end of April 2024. The methodological quality of included studies was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) Qualitative Checklist. The eligible studies must explore perspectives of undocumented immigrant women themselves, healthcare providers or both, as long as findings relate to women’s access challenges and enabling factors. Thematic analysis was employed to synthesize the collected data. Results In total, 3,339 records retrieved, 1,537 screened, and 35 studies included. Common barriers identified include fear of deportation, language barriers, economic constraints, and discriminatory practices by healthcare providers. Facilitators include strong social networks, community support, free or low-cost clinics, outreach programs, and policies ensuring confidentiality and non-discrimination. Most of the included studies achieving high scores (8–10) based on the CASP checklist. Conclusion Undocumented immigrant women face considerable challenges in accessing healthcare services due to personal and institutional barriers. However, accessible community services and inclusive healthcare policies can significantly enhance their access to healthcare. These findings highlight an urgent need for policy reform and the effective implementation of culturally sensitive healthcare services to address these barriers. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d4b2f41c8f0e40f6867fec5fd693027e |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2072-1315 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
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| series | Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition |
| spelling | doaj-art-d4b2f41c8f0e40f6867fec5fd693027e2025-08-24T11:35:40ZengBMCJournal of Health, Population and Nutrition2072-13152025-08-0144112410.1186/s41043-025-01051-6Identifying challenges and enabling factors in utilizing health care services by undocumented immigrant women: a scoping review of qualitative researchManal Etemadi0Saeed Shahabi1Maryam Hedayati2Kamran Bagheri Lankarani3Masoud Behzadifar4Neda Defaee Rad5Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of BristolHealth Policy Research Center, Institute of Health, Shiraz University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Rehabilitation Management, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation SciencesHealth Policy Research Center, Institute of Health, Shiraz University of Medical SciencesSocial Determinants of Health Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical SciencesHealth Policy Research Center, Institute of Health, Shiraz University of Medical SciencesAbstract Background Undocumented immigrant women often face significant barriers in accessing healthcare services, which can adversely affect their health outcomes. This scoping review aims to identify the main challenges and enabling factors to undocumented immigrant women’s health service utilization and evaluate the methodological quality of existing qualitative studies on this topic. Methods PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and ProQuest were searched until the end of April 2024. The methodological quality of included studies was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) Qualitative Checklist. The eligible studies must explore perspectives of undocumented immigrant women themselves, healthcare providers or both, as long as findings relate to women’s access challenges and enabling factors. Thematic analysis was employed to synthesize the collected data. Results In total, 3,339 records retrieved, 1,537 screened, and 35 studies included. Common barriers identified include fear of deportation, language barriers, economic constraints, and discriminatory practices by healthcare providers. Facilitators include strong social networks, community support, free or low-cost clinics, outreach programs, and policies ensuring confidentiality and non-discrimination. Most of the included studies achieving high scores (8–10) based on the CASP checklist. Conclusion Undocumented immigrant women face considerable challenges in accessing healthcare services due to personal and institutional barriers. However, accessible community services and inclusive healthcare policies can significantly enhance their access to healthcare. These findings highlight an urgent need for policy reform and the effective implementation of culturally sensitive healthcare services to address these barriers.https://doi.org/10.1186/s41043-025-01051-6Undocumented immigrantWomenHealthcare accessChallengesEnabling factors |
| spellingShingle | Manal Etemadi Saeed Shahabi Maryam Hedayati Kamran Bagheri Lankarani Masoud Behzadifar Neda Defaee Rad Identifying challenges and enabling factors in utilizing health care services by undocumented immigrant women: a scoping review of qualitative research Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition Undocumented immigrant Women Healthcare access Challenges Enabling factors |
| title | Identifying challenges and enabling factors in utilizing health care services by undocumented immigrant women: a scoping review of qualitative research |
| title_full | Identifying challenges and enabling factors in utilizing health care services by undocumented immigrant women: a scoping review of qualitative research |
| title_fullStr | Identifying challenges and enabling factors in utilizing health care services by undocumented immigrant women: a scoping review of qualitative research |
| title_full_unstemmed | Identifying challenges and enabling factors in utilizing health care services by undocumented immigrant women: a scoping review of qualitative research |
| title_short | Identifying challenges and enabling factors in utilizing health care services by undocumented immigrant women: a scoping review of qualitative research |
| title_sort | identifying challenges and enabling factors in utilizing health care services by undocumented immigrant women a scoping review of qualitative research |
| topic | Undocumented immigrant Women Healthcare access Challenges Enabling factors |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s41043-025-01051-6 |
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