Littératie en santé et pouvoir d’agir : les réfugiés et demandeurs d’asile face au système de soins en Belgique

Details

Supervisors

Van den Broucke, Stephan

Faculty

Faculté de santé publique

Degree label

Master [120] en sciences de la santé publique, à finalité spécialisée

Abstract

enIn the context of the rising number of refugees and asylum seekers in Belgium, effective access to healthcare has emerged as a critical public health issue. Although refugees and asylum seekers theoretically have the right to healthcare, administrative, linguistic, and cultural barriers often impede their ability to navigate the health system. Within this framework, health literacy (HL), defined as the capacity to access, understand, and apply health-related information represents a key yet under-researched determinant of healthcare access among refugee populations in Belgium. This study investigates the relationship between health literacy and access to healthcare for refugees and asylum seekers residing in Wallonia. A quantitative survey was conducted among 67 participants, primarily originating from Syria, Palestine, and Iraq. Data were collected using the HLS-EU-Q12 scale and a complementary questionnaire assessing challenges encountered in healthcare pathways. The results indicate that 58.2% of participants exhibit problematic or inadequate health literacy, a prevalence 4.3 times higher than that observed in the general Belgian population (13.5%, Sciensano, 2024). Difficulties were particularly pronounced among individuals with limited proficiency in French, lower educational levels, or a shorter duration of residence in Belgium. The analysis further reveals the pivotal role of health literacy in facilitating understanding of administrative procedures, communication with healthcare providers, and access to available services. This research underscores the urgent need to strengthen health literacy as a concrete means of reducing inequalities in healthcare access. Moreover, it argues that health literacy should not be viewed solely as an individual competence but also as a collective right, enabling the translation of theoretical entitlements into tangible and equitable access to care. By prioritizing investments in health literacy, Belgium could not only mitigate health disparities affecting refugee populations but also enhance the overall efficiency of its healthcare system by reducing delays in care and preventable hospitalizations. Ultimately, the sustainable inclusion of refugees in the healthcare system is not only an ethical imperative but also a strategic societal choice with far-reaching collective benefits.