A SURVEY OF HEALTH AGENCIES RESPONSES TO NON-ENGLISH-SPEAKING WOMENS HEALTH NEEDS IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Evidence from the literature points to the disadvantages encountered b y migrant women from non-English-speaking backgrounds in obtaining acc ess to health services. In May 1994, a survey of 31 health units in th e metropolitan area and two country areas was conducted in South Austr alia. The study investigated the services available to women of non-En glish-speaking background, their level of usage, the factors that affe cted the use of health services by the women, and the strategies devel oped by the service providers to overcome the barriers. The study foun d sexual and reproductive health to be the most important, and occupat ional health and safety the least important issue for women of non-Eng lish-speaking background attending the state's health units. The main problems were English language deficiencies, lack of culturally approp riate services and inadequate knowledge and awareness of the existing services. From the service providers' point of view, language (79 per cent), culture (87 per cent), and information or awareness about healt h units (78 per cent) were the most important factors affecting the us e of health services by women of non-English-speaking background. Wome n of non-English-speaking background have different linguistic and cul tural needs from English-speaking women, and as a result, require spec ifically designed services.