CULTURAL DETERMINANTS AND INTERCULTURAL COMPETENCE IN THE USE OF PRIMARY HEALTH CARE BY ETHNIC GROUPS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Abstract

DOI: https://doi.org/10.46296/yc.v10i19.0960

Abstract

Although health is formally recognized as a fundamental human right, it remains an unattainable goal for millions of people worldwide. This violation has a particularly severe impact on indigenous communities, where equity gaps profoundly influence decisions regarding healthcare. In fact, community-based estimates reveal that up to 85.8% of indigenous people prioritize traditional medicine over conventional options (14.2%), a preference that stems not only from cultural patterns but also from structural barriers to access. Ecuador, characterized by its plurinationality and ethnic diversity, clearly reflects these inequalities in its healthcare system. Given this situation, a central question arises: what factors determine the use of formal health services among different ethnic groups, and how does cultural diversity influence this process? To address this issue, a comprehensive and critical review of recent scientific literature obtained from indexed databases was conducted. The findings allow for the consolidation of barriers and facilitators to access across four interconnected dimensions: socioeconomic, cultural, geographic, and gender factors. Finally, the study proposes strategic lines of action aimed at policymakers, social actors, and higher education institutions, with the goal of promoting genuinely humanized, equitable, and interculturally relevant healthcare.

Keywords: Health services, Ethnic groups, Interculturality in health.