FACTORS AFFECTING ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE SERVICES OF ETHNIC MINORITY WOMEN IN NORTHWEST REGION OF VIETNAM

Abstract

Our Party and State have issued many priority policies to improve access to medical services  - health care services for women of ethnic minorities. The policies have proved effective, but the reality shows that the socio-economic-cultural development in ethnic minority areas is still limited, creating barriers that affect the access to health care services for ethnic minorities women. This article evaluates the situation of access to health services by ethnic minority women residing in the Northwest region of Vietnam. The data source in the article is exploited from secondary and primary data sources (the method of interview by questionnaire, in-depth interview) to show the factors affecting this activity. The research results show that the low rate of access to and use of health services by ethnic minority women, this is related to economic and cultural factors in the region. In addition, restrictions in the availability of health services, access to services or affordability can be major causes for differences in access to and use of health services by ethnic minority women.