台灣新移民女性與醫療衛生需求

Correlations Between Demographic Characteristics and Healthcare Needs among New Female Immigrants in Taiwan

目標：許多研究指出新移民女性醫療利用較本國婦女低，協助新移民女性獲得所需的醫療照護，已成為公共衛生的新挑戰。爰此，本研究以全國性資料分析新移民女性現況及其醫療衛生需求，並討論相關法令政策對其之影響。方法：以內政部「九十二年外籍與大陸配偶生活狀況調查」進行次級資料分析，採描述性分析描述新移民女性特性及醫療衛生輔導相關需求。結果：新移民女性多來自大陸地區(52.63%)及東南亞國家( 45.71 % ) ； 平均年齡30 . 16歲(SD=8.85)；其配偶健康狀態不佳者約一成；子女發展遲緩者有0.08%、身心障礙者有0.16%、重大傷病者有0.12%；有醫療衛生輔導需求者中，23.54%表示需要提供幼兒健康檢查之輔導，其次為提供育嬰、育兒知識(20.14%)。結論：健康專業養成教育中應納入多元文化之相關議題，提升多元文化照護知能，亦應加強新移民女性及其配偶的婚前健康檢查與優生保健管理。

Objectives: Because of National Health Insurance law, language, culture, customs, and medical care-seeking behavior, healthcare utilization by new immigrant females is lower than that for other women in Taiwan. Helping these new immigrants to bear children and access medical care has become a major issue for public health officials in Taiwan. As a result, this study aimed to determine the current status of these new immigrant females, including their demographic characteristics and healthcare needs, and to discuss the effects of the current law on them. Methods: This study analyzed data about new immigrant females from the 2003 “Survey on Living Status of Immigrant Women” administered by the Ministry of Interior. A total of 167,505 new immigrant females were included in this study. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. Results: Most new immigrant females lived in Taipei county, Tao-Yuen county, and Taipei city and came mainly from mainland China (52.63%) and Southeast Asian countries (45.71%). Their average age was 30.16 years (SD=8.85), and 60% of them had at least one baby. The health status of fewer than 10% of their spouses was poor and fewer than 1% of their children had developmental delays, disabilities, or catastrophic illnesses. Almost one quarter of them needed infant health consultations (23.54%) and nursery education/early childhood education (20.14%). Conclusions: Based on these findings, suggestions were made for healthcare providers and policy makers. Culturally sensitive and appropriate care is strongly encouraged. In addition, policies focusing on health examinations for both the new immigrant females and their spouses and genetic health management should be stressed.