Page 8 - IJPS-10-4

International Journal of
Population Studies Healthcare access and use among rural–urban migrants

1. Introduction environmental disasters (Hjelm et al., 2012; Ziblim,
2013). Despite the benefits this migration may bring,
Internal migration, also referred to in this study as it also exposes migrants to various forms of hazards
rural–urban migration, has driven ongoing intensive (Abubakar et al., 2018). For instance, internal migrants
urbanization in Ghana (Ghana Statistical Service, 2013; are more vulnerable to health issues due to differences
UNICEF, 2018; United Nations High Commissioner for
Refugees, 2017). These migration patterns in Ghana have in their health profiles, values, and beliefs compared to
predominantly been from rural to urban areas, or in other the host population (Wickramage & Annunziata, 2018).
words, from the north to the south, particularly since the In general, they have poorer health outcomes than the
second half of the 20 century (Dick & Schraven, 2018; urban natives because they often lack adequate access to
th
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, 2017). and the capability to utilize health-care services, as well as
Numerous studies have reported a wide socioeconomic other social support in their new environment (Afeadie,
gap between the geographical north and south of Ghana, 2021; Amrevurayire & Ojeh, 2016). For instance, a study
which drives these internal migration patterns (Figure 1). conducted in Ghana by Amankwaa et al. (2003) affirmed
Data from the Ghana Statistical Service show that about that the mortality rate of children under age five is higher
80% of migration in Ghana is internal. Of this, over 4 (84.2 per 1000) among internal migrants than among
million people (70%) settle in urban areas and cities urban natives (77.2 per 1000). Another study by Meyer-
(Ghana Statistical Service, 2021). For instance, Ghana’s Weitz & Komesuor (2023) in Ghana also discovered a
Population and Housing Census migration report higher prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress
(2023:80) highlights north–south migration from the among internal migrants.
Upper West, Upper East, and Northern Regions to the Some attempts have been made by the government
Greater Accra, Ashanti, Ahafo, Western North, and of Ghana to ensure equitable access to and utilization
Western Regions of Ghana (Figure 1). of health-care services for all citizens through the
Migrants move in search of better working implementation of the National Health Insurance Scheme
opportunities, education, healthcare, recreation, (NHIS) (Act 650/852) (Amporfu & Grépin, 2019; Okoro,
and, in some cases, to escape political instability or 2019). The NHIS, further, provides exemption packages

Figure 1. The north–south migration patterns in Ghana. Source: Authors’ design based on Ghana’s 2021 Population and Housing Census migration data
(2023:80).

Volume 10 Issue 4 (2024) 2 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.2314