Revista de Enfermagem e Cuidados

Roma People Perception of Public Health System and a Classification into Homogeneous Groups Using K-Means Cluster Analysis

Abstract

S Kotrotsiou, M Gouva, K Gourgoulianis, E Kotrotsiou, T Paralikas, M Malliarou1 and N Skenteris

This article presents perceptions, feelings and beliefs of Roma towards public health system. Participants were 361 Romani, living in central Greece. Shamer Scale, Experience of Shame Scale, State/Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Family Environment Scale (FES), Symptom Check List 90 (SCL-90-R) and PBQ were used. Respondents exhibit higher levels of anxiety both trait and state. Feelings of abandonment and social discrimination corresponded to higher scores of shame. The inability to understand medical instructions and the need to be surrounded by relatives are correlated with psychopathology and shame whereas strong family structure corresponds to improved perceptions towards public health system. A cluster analysis was applied and a three group solution is proposed. Lack of education and harder living condition characterize the cluster with the most negative feelings towards public health system. The results of this paper may be useful in policy makers and persons looking to create interventions in this minority.