gms | German Medical Science

Background and Purpose: Roma people are the largest minority in Europe but experience disadvantage, including poor health status and access to health services. Immunisation is an important public health intervention which is predominantly delivered by nurses.

This Health Technology Assessment study explored the barriers and facilitators to uptake of immunisations experienced by Roma people living in the UK, and identified interventions to raise immunisation rates.

Methods and Research Focus: Roma participants (n = 61) took part in qualitative semi-structured interviews in two UK cities. In addition, professionals who provide health services for Roma people were interviewed. The interview data were analysed thematically. Finally, Roma participants took part in workshops with health professionals to make recommendations for interventions to overcome barriers to immunisation.

Methodological and Theoretical Focus: The study was underpinned by the socio-ecological model (SEM) which recognises that health behaviours are affected by multiple levels of influence (intrapersonal, interpersonal, institutional, community and policy (McLeroy et al 1988)).

Results: Key barriers were language issues, and poor knowledge of immunisation and how to access health services. Roma people were concerned that health professionals understood their culture, and advocated cultural competence training for health professionals. They requested access to interpreters and wished to be enabled to use mainstream services rather than having specialist services targeted to their ethnic group.

Conclusions: Awareness of the barriers to immunisation among Roma people and the interventions suggested, will assist nurses in providing services to this vulnerable group and have the potential to raise immunisation rates.