Review Article

Migration and primary healthcare in sub-Saharan Africa: A scoping review

Christian Lueme Lokotola, Robert Mash, Vincent Sethlare, Jacob Shabani, Ilori Temitope, Laurel Baldwin-Ragaven
African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine | Vol 16, No 1 | a4507 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/phcfm.v16i1.4507 | © 2024 Christian Lueme Lokotola, Robert Mash, Vincent Sethlare, Jacob Shabani, Ilori Temitope, Laurel Baldwin-Ragaven | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 21 February 2024 | Published: 12 July 2024

About the author(s)

Christian Lueme Lokotola, Department of Family and Emergency Medicine, Division of Family Medicine and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
Robert Mash, Department of Family and Emergency Medicine, Division of Family Medicine and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
Vincent Sethlare, Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Medicine, University of Botswana, Gaberone, Botswana
Jacob Shabani, Department of Family Medicine, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
Ilori Temitope, Department of Family Medicine Unit, Faculty of Community Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
Laurel Baldwin-Ragaven, Division of Family Medicine, Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

Abstract

Background: Migration in Africa is increasing and driven by a variety of inter-related socio-economic, conflict and climate-related causes. Primary healthcare (PHC) migration on PHC service will be in the forefront of responding to the associated health issues.

Aim: This study aimed to review the literature on the effect of migration on PHC service delivery in Africa and the challenges facing migrants in accessing PHC.

Method: A systematic approach (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis extension for Scoping Reviews) was applied across six databases and grey literature from African universities (2010 to 2021). Data were extracted and analysed quantitatively and qualitatively.

Results: A total of 3628 studies were identified and 50 were included. Most studies were descriptive or used mixed methods. Publications came from 25 countries, with 52% of studies from South Africa, Uganda and Kenya. Most migrants originated from Zimbabwe, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia. Population health management for migrant communities was challenging. Migration impacted PHC services through an increase in infectious diseases, mental health disorders, reproductive health issues and malnutrition. Primary healthcare services were poorly prepared for handling displaced populations in disaster situations. Access to PHC services was compromised by factors related to migrants, health services and healthcare workers.

Conclusion: Several countries in Africa need to better prepare their PHC services and providers to handle the increasing number of migrants in the African context.

Contribution: The review points to the need for a focus on policy, reducing barriers to access and upskilling primary care providers to handle diversity and complexity.


Keywords

migration; internally displaced people; primary healthcare; primary care; Africa

Sustainable Development Goal

Goal 3: Good health and well-being

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