Attitudes to illness and the use of health services by economic immigrants in Slovenia.

Aim: To analyze the attitudes of immigrants from former Yugoslav republics to Slovenia toward illness, concerns about and perception of health status, and factors that influence their use of health services for the prevention and treatment of illness.

Methods: We used a qualitative approach, employing the ETHNIC (Explain, Treatment, Healers, Negotiation, Intervention, Collaboration) questionnaire. We analyzed data from interviews with 27 economic immigrants who consecutively came to a general practice office from May 15 to August 15, 2005.

Results: Qualitative analysis of the interview showed that health problems were largely understood as consequences of hard work, poor working and housing conditions, and stress. Fear of disability and concern about financial support for their family were important factors why they sought medical help. There were many financial and housing obstacles to leading a healthy lifestyle and following doctors' advice. Inadequate communication with health care professionals was also mentioned. Coworkers were an important source of support, whereas the worker-employer relation appeared to be a negative factor.

Conclusion: Identifying factors that influence health care utilization and attitudes about illness is a first step toward improving health care among immigrants. Improving the sanitary and hygienic aspects of their lives and becoming familiar with their basic health problems will improve quality of treatment at the primary care level.