Barriers and facilitators to accessing preventive services among Bangladeshi and Nepalese migrants living in Sydney
1
School of Population Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
2
Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
3
National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
4
International Centre for Future Health Systems, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Bangladeshi and Nepalese are two rapidly growing migrant communities in Australia, who face a disproportionate burden to lifestyle-related chronic diseases i.e., diabetes and cardiovascular diseases[1,2]. While preventive services deemed essential to improve healthy lifestyle practices, these population groups demonstrated limited access to existing preventive services in Australia[2-5]. The present study explored the barriers and facilitators to accessing preventive care services among people from Bangladeshi and Nepalese origins living in Sydney, Australia.
METHODS:
This qualitative study was conducted following the constructivist paradigm, where realities are constructed on the lived experiences of the participants. Six focus group discussions (FGDs) and 22 in-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted during August 2024 and January 2025 with people of Bangladeshi and Nepalese origin living in Sydney. FGDs and IDIs were conducted in participants’ language, transcribed, translated into English, and thematically analysed. The barriers and facilitators at different levels were structured following the socio-ecological framework[6].
RESULTS:
Several barriers and facilitators were identified across different levels of the socioecological framework. Individual-level barriers included cultural and religious perceptions, limited health literacy, and a lack of awareness of preventive services. Interpersonal barriers included limited English language skills, a lack of translated health education materials and interpreter services and limited cultural understanding among health service providers. Community-level barriers involved chronic disease-related stigma and lack of community engagement. Institutional and policy barriers included limited culturally tailored support and infrequent public transport to health facilities. Conversely, facilitators included self-awareness and ownership of health, knowledge about available preventive services, peer support, cultural and linguistic competency of health care providers, use of digital and social media for health information sharing, and the role of community organisations.
CONCLUSIONS:
These findings suggest implementing multi-level, culturally tailored, community-led interventions leveraging community and social engagement platforms to ensure adequate access to available preventive services for these population groups.
Bangladeshi and Nepalese are two rapidly growing migrant communities in Australia, who face a disproportionate burden to lifestyle-related chronic diseases i.e., diabetes and cardiovascular diseases[1,2]. While preventive services deemed essential to improve healthy lifestyle practices, these population groups demonstrated limited access to existing preventive services in Australia[2-5]. The present study explored the barriers and facilitators to accessing preventive care services among people from Bangladeshi and Nepalese origins living in Sydney, Australia.
METHODS:
This qualitative study was conducted following the constructivist paradigm, where realities are constructed on the lived experiences of the participants. Six focus group discussions (FGDs) and 22 in-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted during August 2024 and January 2025 with people of Bangladeshi and Nepalese origin living in Sydney. FGDs and IDIs were conducted in participants’ language, transcribed, translated into English, and thematically analysed. The barriers and facilitators at different levels were structured following the socio-ecological framework[6].
RESULTS:
Several barriers and facilitators were identified across different levels of the socioecological framework. Individual-level barriers included cultural and religious perceptions, limited health literacy, and a lack of awareness of preventive services. Interpersonal barriers included limited English language skills, a lack of translated health education materials and interpreter services and limited cultural understanding among health service providers. Community-level barriers involved chronic disease-related stigma and lack of community engagement. Institutional and policy barriers included limited culturally tailored support and infrequent public transport to health facilities. Conversely, facilitators included self-awareness and ownership of health, knowledge about available preventive services, peer support, cultural and linguistic competency of health care providers, use of digital and social media for health information sharing, and the role of community organisations.
CONCLUSIONS:
These findings suggest implementing multi-level, culturally tailored, community-led interventions leveraging community and social engagement platforms to ensure adequate access to available preventive services for these population groups.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
We process personal data collected when visiting the website. The function of obtaining information about users and their behavior is carried out by voluntarily entered information in forms and saving cookies in end devices. Data, including cookies, are used to provide services, improve the user experience and to analyze the traffic in accordance with the Privacy policy. Data are also collected and processed by Google Analytics tool (more).
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
