Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
2019

Preferences of Resettled Refugees on Pictograms Describing Common Symptoms of Illness (Article)

Bellamy K.* , Dowse R. , Ostini R. , Martini N. , Kairuz T.
  • a School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall St, Woolloongabba, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
  • b Faculty of Pharmacy, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa
  • c Rural Clinical School, The University of Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD, Australia
  • d School of Pharmacy, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
  • e School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Newcastle, NSW, Australia

Abstract

Illustrated health resources are useful for people who have limited English linguistic ability. The aim was to compare the preferences of resettled refugees from Africa and non-African countries, on pictograms describing common symptoms of illness. Data were collected in two cities in Queensland, Australia. Participants indicated their preference for three types of pictograms depicting seven symptoms. Pictogram sources included the International Pharmaceutical Federation, royalty-free stock images, and pictograms designed in South Africa. For all ailments, participants (n = 81) from Africa preferred the African pictograms more than participants not from Africa (n = 61). A significant association was found between pictogram preference and where respondents were from for each ailment except headache (p = 0.375). African refugees showed a significant preference for pictograms which had been culturally adapted for an African population; however, some other refugees also preferred certain African pictograms. Pictograms for resettled refugees should be pre-tested to determine acceptability, as they should be culturally relevant. © 2019, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.

Author Keywords

Health literacy Community pharmacy Pictograms resettled refugees

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85067796730&doi=10.1007%2fs10903-019-00908-3&partnerID=40&md5=59e7db1f4d80956f4a5d65e1c946ae3b
DOI: 10.1007/s10903-019-00908-3
ISSN: 15571912
Original Language: English