Access and Use of Healthcare by Ethnic Minorities in the Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana

Objectives: Ethnic minorities are faced with challenges that hinder their use of health facilities, compared to their non-migrant colleagues. This study examined access and use of healthcare by ethnic minorities in the Kumasi Metropolis using the Andersen behavioural model (1995) as the underlying theory. Methods: The study employed a mixed-methods design. The accidental and snowball sampling techniques were used to collect data from 207 respondents using questionnaires and interview and focus group discussion guides as instruments. Data were analysed using Pearson’s Chi-square tests and multiple regression model with a significant level expressed at a probability of ≤0.05. The qualitative data on the other hand were analysed thematically with quotes from respondents. Results: Results show that 31.1% of the ethnic minorities in the central business district (CBD) and 28.1% in the periphery utilized healthcare services very regularly. Distance and insurance are the factors that show a statistically significant relationship with the use of healthcare. Qualitative findings show that among constraints to access and use of healthcare by ethnic minorities are distance, low access to insurance, medical cost, and staff-patient communication barriers. The Anderson (1995) model has been partially justified. The study limitations are the limited study area and sample size. The study has succeeded in using a behavioural model to explain the use of healthcare by ethnic minorities in a developing economy. A key recommendation made to improve access to and use of healthcare by ethnic minorities is making it easier for participants to enrol on the NHIS.