Barriers to Health Service Utilization Among Mexican Immigrant Women in Rural Colorado: A Thematic Analysis

Background and Purpose: Mexican immigrant women accounted for 22.1 percent of immigrant women living in the United States in 2021, and the majority of them are living in Southwest. Mexican immigrant women residing in rural areas confront significant hurdles when seeking healthcare services. This leaves Mexican immigrant women facing the daunting task of navigating a healthcare system ill-equipped to address their needs. In light of these resource constraints, disparities in health outcomes are prevalent, with Mexican immigrant women bearing the brunt of the inequalities embedded within the system. The purpose of this study is to explore in-depth information on barriers to health care service utilization among Mexican immigrant women living in rural Colorado to develop culturally-tuned interventions to promote their health care service utilization.

Methods: In this qualitative study, researchers recruited 15 participants through purposive and snowball sampling via community healthcare organizations located in rural Colorado, where substantial Mexican immigrant populations reside. A total of nine Mexican immigrant women and six healthcare professionals who had experience with Mexican immigrant women participated in one-hour-long individual interviews. The recorded interviews were transcribed. Two investigators analyzed the transcripts separately and discussed to reach a consensus on the final themes and codes to enhance trustworthiness. The researchers employed Braun and Clarke’s (2006) six-phase approach to thematic analysis: (1) Familiarizing with the data, (2) developing initial codes, (3) identifying themes, (4) discovering potential themes, (5) defining and naming themes, and (6) reporting the findings.

Results: The key themes included sources of health-related information, language barriers, transportation limitations, financial challenges, cultural stigma, and discrimination. The participants heavily relied on informal sources such as family, friends, and community centers for health-related information, highlighting the dearth of accessible healthcare resources. Language barriers emerged as a formidable obstacle, with translators often unable to convey emotional nuances effectively, exacerbating communication challenges with healthcare providers. Transportation constraints further compounded access issues, exacerbating the already daunting task of accessing healthcare facilities. Financial struggles, including insufficient funds and lack of insurance coverage, significantly impeded their ability to access necessary medical care, perpetuating health disparities within this population. Moreover, cultural stigma surrounding mental health served as a significant deterrent, dissuading many from seeking help for mental health concerns. Legal status concerns, including fears of exposure or documentation, added an additional layer of complexity to accessing healthcare services for this marginalized group.

Conclusions and Implications: Social workers should collaborate with community organizations and healthcare providers to develop culturally sensitive health education programs for Mexican immigrant women. They should advocate for bilingual healthcare services and provide training to healthcare providers on effective communication strategies with limited English proficiency patients. They should work with local transportation agencies and community organizations to develop transportation solutions, such as shuttle services or rideshare programs. Additionally, they should assist Mexican immigrant women in navigating the healthcare system, including eligibility for public health insurance programs and accessing financial assistance. Social workers should engage in community outreach and education efforts to destigmatize mental health issues within the Mexican immigrant community.