Veranstaltungsprogramm

Background: Persons with migration experience report significant barriers to accessing healthcare services in European host countries. Despite a high proportion of persons with migration experience in Austria, only limited systematic data is available. The aim of this scoping review is to summarize the available literature on the healthcare of persons with migration experience in Austria, the access to as well as the use of healthcare services with a particular focus on women*.

Method: A scoping review was conducted according to the Arksey and O'Malley framework. The systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and CINAHL and included studies from 2015 onwards. The content was mainly on health inequalities, access to and the use of healthcare, as well as health-related social determinants. Data were summarized thematically using qualitative content analysis.

Results: A total of 92 articles were included. The results show a clear discrepancy between formal entitlement to healthcare and actual access conditions, which are particularly mediated by language barriers (n=37; 40·2%) and insufficient information, leading to reduced health literacy. There is a lack of culturally sensitive, target group-oriented health services. People with migration experience show an increased burden of mental health problems (n=38; 41.3%). Migrant women* are particularly vulnerable due to gender role expectations, gendered violence, and reproductive health needs. There are gaps in the use of preventive healthcare measures, such as vaccinations and e.g., cancer screening.

Conclusions: The results show that persons with a migration experience should not be viewed as a homogeneous group, but that health risks and access to healthcare vary according to sex/gender, origin, place of residence and socioeconomic status. Culture- and sex/gender-sensitive reforms in healthcare are needed, including cultural mediation, target group-specific prevention strategies, and systematic, migration-sensitive research and guideline development to reduce inequalities in healthcare.

*all individuals who identify as women.

1. Background

Discrimination and sexual harassment are increasingly recognised as highly prevalent in healthcare. The aim was to assess the prevalence, reasons and perpetrators as well as possible associations with organisational commitment (OC) across all professions at the University Medical Centre Mannheim (UMM), Germany.

2. Methods

In May 2025, we conducted an anonymous online survey at UMM. All employees, trainees and students (n=10,002) were invited to participate. They were asked how often they estimate discrimination and sexual harassment to occur at UMM, if they have experienced it themselves, the perceived reasons for it and the perpetrators. OC was assessed by 1) the probability to stay at UMM and 2) recommendation of UMM as employer.

3. Results

Overall response rate was 8.4% (n=840). A proportion of 34.2% estimated that discrimination occurs very often/often. Results of the “everyday discrimination scale” showed different scores across occupation groups (F = 5.325, p < 0.001, η² = 0.031) with nurses having the highest scores (EDS 1-6, M=2.42) and academic staff (EDS 1-6, M = 1.93) the lowest. Sex/Gender was rated as the main reason for experienced discrimination (31.9%, 224/702). A proportion of 36.0% of all participants reported sexual harassment (women: 42.6%, 269/632; men: 14.1%, 27/192) with highest rates among nurses (49.7%) and students (43.0%) and lowest among non-medical occupations (18.4%). Perpetrators of sexual harassment were mostly male (92.1%, 278/302) belonging to the groups of patients (49.0%) or physicians (47.0%). Having experienced and observed sexual harassment at UMM linked to lower OC (d=-.26/-.34, p<.001), showing small but consistent negative effects across both OC items.

4. Conclusion

Discrimination and sexual harassment are experienced at the UMM throughout all occupations. Significantly higher prevalences were seen among women, nurses, students and physicians. Main perpetrators of sexual harassment were male patients and male physicians. Sexual harassment was associated with lower OC.

SANEAS Community Health Guides: Multilingual Peer Support to Strengthen Health Literacy and Health System Navigation in Migrant Communities

Petra Haderer

Volkshilfe Wien, Austria; P.Haderer@volkshilfe-wien.at

Background and Rationale

People with migration backgrounds in Austria face disproportionate barriers to accessing healthcare. Language barriers, limited health literacy and navigation skills, and the complexity of the healthcare system contribute to inappropriate use of healthcare services, while preventive services remain underutilized. Since 2012, the Vienna-based project SANEAS Gesundheitslots*innen (Community Health Guides) has addressed these inequalities by strengthening health literacy and facilitating equitable access to healthcare.

Method

The project trains multilingual volunteers with lived migration experience through a structured 65-hour curriculum covering the Austrian healthcare system, medical terminology, nutrition, mental health, dementia, women’s and men’s health, and other public health topics. After training, Community Health Guides deliver free, low-threshold workshops in German and up to ten additional languages. This peer-based approach promotes culturally sensitive health education, trust, and improved communication. Workshops are evaluated anonymously, with a comprehensive impact evaluation starting in 2026.

Results

Since 2012, 168 Community Health Guides have been trained, with around 70 currently active. In 2025, they delivered 230 workshops in ten languages, reaching approximately 2,600 participants. Overall, about 20,000 people with migration backgrounds have been reached in Vienna. Evaluations indicate improved health literacy, health system navigation, and perceived self-efficacy among participants.

Conclusion

The SANEAS Community Health Guides model contributes to health equity, prevention, and appropriate healthcare utilization. Sustainable structural funding is essential to secure its long-term impact beyond project-based financing. The model offers strong potential for integration into primary care, integrated care, and community-based health and social services. Its multilingual, peer-led approach also provides a foundation for developing Community Health Guides into professional healthcare interpreters.

Hintergrund:

Geflüchtete Kinder sind vor, während und nach ihrer Vertreibung einer Vielzahl potenziell traumatisierender Ereignisse ausgesetzt. Traumafolgeerkrankungen stellen ein wesentliches Hindernis für Lernprozesse, psychosoziale Entwicklung und gesellschaftliche Integration dar.

Der Verein Afya bietet seit 2018 das international bewährte „Teaching Recovery Techniques Programm (TRT)“ in Erstsprachen an Wiener Schulen an; insgesamt 1.426 Kinder und Jugendliche haben bis Ende 2024 daran teilgenommen.

Im Rahmen dieser Evaluationsstudie wurden Projektdaten ausgewertet und in den Kontext international publizierter Studienergebnisse gestellt, sowie die Kosten analysiert.

Methode:

Vor und nach der Teilnahme am TRT Programm wurde der Child Revised Impact of Event Scale (CRIES-8) Fragebogen durchgeführt. Das Instrument ist für Kinder ab 8 Jahren geeignet und besteht aus 4 Items zur Messung von Intrusion und vier Items zur Messung von Aversion. Ende 2024 waren 372 vollständige Datensätze mit 18 Variablen vorhanden, die für diese Studie statistisch ausgewertet wurden.

Ergebnisse:

Die Baseline-Erhebung mit dem CRIES zeigt insgesamt ein hohes Ausmaß posttraumatischer Belastung in der Zielgruppe. Besonders hoch waren die Ausgangswerte bei Unbegleiteten Minderjährigen Flüchtlingen (UMF). Geschlechtsunterschiede zeigen sich vor allem in der Dimension Intrusion.

Nach der Teilnahme am TRT Programm zeigt sich bei Teilnehmer:innen mit PTBS zum Ausgangszeitpunkt eine ausgeprägte Reduktion des CRIES-Scores; in der Gesamtstichprobe ist die Reduktion signifikant. Ergebnissen unterscheiden sich abhängig vom Standort der Programmdurchführung, vom Geschlecht und vom Herkunftsland.

Die durchschnittlichen Kosten der Intervention betragen €678 pro Teilnehmer:in.

In der systematischen Übersichtsarbeit des AIHTA zeigen internationale Evaluationen von TRT überwiegend positive, jedoch in ihrer Effektstärke und methodischen Qualität heterogene Ergebnisse.

Schlussfolgerungen:

Das TRT-Programm stellt eine wirksame, kultursensible und kosten-effiziente Gruppenintervention zur Traumafolge-Prävention dar, die unter schulischen Alltagsbedingungen niedrigschwellig implementiert und einfach skaliert werden kann. Neben der Reduktion traumabezogener Symptome ermöglicht die Intervention das frühzeitige Erkennen von Kindern und Jugendlichen, die eine weiterführende und individuelle Therapie benötigen.