Health information resources for migrants

An analysis of Spanish NGOs

Bibliographic Data

ID17818980
AuthorsMaría Jiménez-Castro (0000-0001-6932-3674, Universidad de Granada), María-Dolores Olvera-Lobo (Universidad de Granada)
Year2026
Volume22
Issue3
Pages1-27
Publication date2026-04-28
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Migration Health and Social Care (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2042-8650 • E-ISSN: 1747-9894
PublisherEmerald Publishing Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1108/ijmhsc-08-2025-0117
OpenAlexW7157280457
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited60

Purpose Migrants and refugees face barriers to accessing health information, including language, culture and administrative complexity, which limit their use of health-care services. This study aims to map and characterise the health information resources used by Spanish NGOs for migrants and refugees. Particular attention was given to languages, formats and topics to examine how these materials address linguistic and cultural barriers and facilitate access to care. Design/methodology/approach An exploratory descriptive study used the GuiaONGs directory to identify NGOs working with migrants in Spain. A total of 1,927 documents were collected, catalogued and analysed in terms of language, translation, format and thematic focus. Thematic analysis classified content into key health-related and administrative topics. Findings Most materials were multilingual. Aside from 131 Spanish-only documents and four image-only files, all others were available in Spanish plus at least one additional language, most commonly French, English and Arabic, with some African languages (Wolof, Bambara, Fulah). Formats were predominantly text-based, especially information sheets and leaflets, while audiovisual resources were rare. Eleven thematic areas were identified, including health system access, COVID-19, chronic and infectious diseases, mental health, sexual and reproductive health, gender-based violence and female genital mutilation. Many documents combined clinical information with administrative guidance. Research limitations/implications This study is limited to health information materials used by NGOs operating in the Spanish context and reflects specific institutional arrangements, funding frameworks and migration dynamics. Its exploratory and descriptive design does not assess the effectiveness, reception or impact of the materials on migrant populations. Nevertheless, the analytical categories and structural patterns identified offer a transferable framework for examining NGO-mediated health information provision in other settings, provided they are revalidated in relation to local health systems, migration regimes and organisational landscapes. Future research should build on this work through evaluative and comparative approaches. Practical implications The findings suggest that NGOs would benefit from greater institutional support to diversify formats, particularly through the development of audiovisual and low-literacy-friendly resources, and to strengthen cultural adaptation processes beyond translation. For public health institutions and policymakers, the results highlight the importance of recognising and supporting the work carried out by NGOs while avoiding an over-reliance on third-sector initiatives to address health communication needs. Ensuring equitable access to health information for migrant populations should be understood as a shared institutional responsibility embedded within public health systems. Social implications By documenting the scope, themes, languages, and formats of health information materials used with migrant populations, this study sheds light on persistent inequalities in access to health information. The predominance of text-based resources and the uneven thematic coverage risk excluding individuals with limited literacy or educational backgrounds. Improving culturally and linguistically adapted health communication can contribute to reducing barriers to healthcare access, enhancing health literacy and supporting more inclusive public health responses. Strengthening collaboration between NGOs and public institutions is essential to address structural inequalities affecting migrants’ access to health-related information and services. Originality/value This study offers the first systematic mapping of NGO health information resources for migrants in Spain. It highlights the scale of multilingual provision, the predominance of text-based formats and the frequent integration of health and administrative guidance, illustrating NGOs’ intermediary role in promoting equitable access to information

Descriptive research · Descriptive statistics · Directory · Exploratory research · Refugee · Reproductive health · Thematic analysis · Thematic map · Health Literacy and Information Accessibility · Interpreting and Communication in Healthcare · Migration, Health and Trauma

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