Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Volume 16, Issue 1, 2014, Pages 143-149

What are the health needs, familial and social problems of Thai migrants in a local community in Australia? A focus group study (Article)

Vatcharavongvan P.* , Hepworth J. , Lim J. , Marley J.
  • a Discipline of General Practice, University of Queensland, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, QLD 4029, Australia
  • b School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia, Centre for Primary Health Care Research, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
  • c School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
  • d Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia

Abstract

This study explored the health needs, familial and social problems of Thai migrants in a local community in Brisbane, Australia. Five focus groups with Thai migrants were conducted. The qualitative data were examined using thematic content analysis that is specifically designed for focus group analysis. Four themes were identified: (1) positive experiences in Australia, (2) physical health problems, (3) mental health problems, and (4) familial and social health problems. This study revealed key health needs related to chronic disease and mental health, major barriers to health service use, such as language skills, and facilitating factors, such as the Thai Temple. We concluded that because the health needs, familial and social problems of Thai migrants were complex and culture bound, the development of health and community services for Thai migrants needs to take account of the ways in which Thai culture both negatively impacts health and offer positive solutions to problems. © 2012 Springer Science+Business Media New York.

Author Keywords

Health needs assessment culture Ethnicity community health promotion Thai migrants

Index Keywords

information processing male health service social problem female Queensland Humans health promotion Focus Groups ethnology Australia qualitative research Health Services Needs and Demand Thailand human adult middle aged Social Problems
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84894982925&doi=10.1007%2fs10903-012-9725-0&partnerID=40&md5=907359dfc30b4763600c8ab66144d298
DOI: 10.1007/s10903-012-9725-0
ISSN: 15571912
Cited by: 4
Original Language: English