The Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya extends its warmest congratulations to Dr. Amirah Zafirah Binti Ahmad Zaini on the successful defence of her Doctor of Philosophy thesis entitled “Acculturation, Social Support, and Their Association with Healthcare Access among Indonesian Migrant Workers in Klang Valley, Malaysia.” This significant academic achievement reflects her dedication, perseverance, and commitment to advancing knowledge in migrant health and public health research.
Short Summary of the Thesis
International migrant workers play a vital role in Malaysia’s economy, yet many continue to face considerable barriers to accessing healthcare. Dr Amirah’s doctoral research explored how acculturation, particularly language proficiency and social interaction, and social support influence healthcare access among Indonesian migrant workers in the Klang Valley.
The thesis comprised three complementary studies: a systematic review examining global evidence on acculturation and healthcare access among migrant workers; the cultural adaptation and validation of two important measurement instruments for Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia; and a cross-sectional survey involving 322 Indonesian migrant workers.
Her findings revealed that although language proficiency was associated with stronger support from friends, acculturation and social support alone were insufficient to overcome the structural barriers that migrant workers face when accessing healthcare. Instead, factors such as immigration status and length of stay played a more substantial role. The research highlights the importance of culturally and linguistically appropriate health communication, stronger community support mechanisms, and more inclusive healthcare policies to improve health equity for migrant workers in Malaysia.
Highlights of the Candidate’s Achievements
Dr. Amirah’s doctoral work represents a comprehensive and methodologically rigorous contribution to migrant health research. Among her notable achievements are:
- Conducting a systematic review that synthesised global evidence on the relationship between acculturation and healthcare access among migrant workers.
- Successfully translating, culturally adapting, and validating the Short Acculturation Scale (SAS) and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) for Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia, providing valuable research tools for future studies.
- Generating empirical evidence through a well-designed survey involving 322 Indonesian migrant workers in the Klang Valley.
- Demonstrating the complex interplay between social, cultural, and structural determinants of healthcare access in a low- and middle-income country setting.
- Producing findings that offer practical recommendations for policymakers, healthcare providers, and researchers working to improve migrant health services.
Contribution to Public Health
Dr Amirah’s research makes an important contribution to public health by addressing one of the most pressing issues in health equity, ensuring equitable healthcare access for vulnerable migrant populations. Her work provides evidence that structural factors, including immigration status and systemic barriers, have a profound influence on healthcare utilisation, often outweighing individual-level social and cultural factors.
The validated research instruments developed through this thesis will support future research involving Indonesian migrant workers and similar populations. More importantly, the findings offer valuable guidance for developing culturally sensitive health communication strategies, strengthening migrant support networks, and informing policies that promote inclusive healthcare systems. Collectively, this work contributes to Malaysia’s ongoing efforts to achieve universal health coverage and reduce health inequities among migrant communities.
Acknowledgement
We wish to acknowledge the invaluable guidance and mentorship provided by Dr. Amirah Zafirah Binti Ahmad Zaini‘s supervisors, Associate Professor Dr. Tharani Loganathan, Honorary Professor Dr. Hazreen Abdul Majid, and Adjunct Professor Dr. Mahmoud Danaee, whose expertise and support were instrumental in the completion of her thesis.
We extend our sincere gratitude to Professor Dr. Brian J. Hall, New York University Shanghai, China, and Professor Dr. Sureeporn Punpuing, Mahidol University, Thailand, as the External Examiners, as well as Professor Dr. Wong Li Ping, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, as the Internal Examiner.
We would also like to thank the Committee of Examiners for their thorough evaluation and insightful feedback, including Professor Dr. Puteri Shafinaz Akmar Abdul Rahman, Chairperson of the viva voce session; Professor Dr. Victor Hoe Chee Wai Abdullah, Head of the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya; together with all members of the Faculty of Medicine who contributed to the successful conduct of the examination.
Congratulations and Future Expectations
Heartiest congratulations to Dr. Amirah Zafirah Binti Ahmad Zaini on reaching this remarkable academic milestone. Her doctoral research exemplifies scholarly excellence, scientific rigour, and a genuine commitment to improving the health and well-being of migrant communities.
We are confident that the knowledge generated from her research will continue to inform policy, inspire future investigations, and contribute meaningfully to the advancement of migrant health and health equity, both in Malaysia and internationally.
We wish Dr. Amirah every success as she embarks on the next chapter of her academic and professional journey and look forward to her continued contributions to public health research and practice.
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