[Moroccan population perception of the Catalonian health system. Beliefs on health and disease].

Objective: To describe the perception that the Moroccan population have of the Catalonian Health System.

Design: A cross-sectional, descriptive epidemiological study.

Setting: Social Institutions and the general Moroccan population in the city of Reus, Spain.

Participants: A total of 150 people of Moroccan origin (50.8% females) from 33+/-13 years of age, were selected, of which 82.7% took part.

Method: Evaluation of the perception of the Catalonian Health System using a questionnaire validated for the study, translated into Arabic.

Results: The majority of the Moroccan population believe that medications and vaccination programmes are effective, but also think that the disease depends on Allah (93.7% females and 95% males). The distrust of the husbands that their wives may be seen by male doctors increases (from 17.1% to 21.1%). As group they felt satisfied with the Spanish Health System (92.2% females and 86.7% males), had difficulties associated with language (51.6% females and 43.3% males) and, the males, in particular, found it difficult to keep appointments (50.8%).

Conclusions: The majority of immigrants of Moroccan origin are satisfied with the health care received in Catalonia. The main difficulties they appear to have are keeping appointments and the language. The length of residence in Spain as regards the Moroccan population does not decrease the difficulties and differences in the Health System. This shows that education activities need to be promoted in the groups involved.