Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Volume 12, Issue 4, 2010, Pages 569-579

Access impediments to health care and social services between Anglophone and Francophone African immigrants living in Philadelphia with respect to HIV/AIDS (Article) (Open Access)

Simbiri K.O.A. , Hausman A. , Wadenya R.O. , Lidicker J.
  • a Department of Public Health, Temple University School of Medicine, 1900 North 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122, United States, Department of Neuroscience, Center for Neurovirology, Temple University School of Medicine, 1900 North 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122, United States, Center for Substance Abuse Research, Temple University School of Medicine, 1900 North 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122, United States
  • b Department of Public Health, Temple University School of Medicine, 1900 North 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122, United States
  • c Department of Preventive and Restorative Sciences, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, 1900 North 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122, United States
  • d Center for Statistical and Information Science, Temple University School of Medicine, 1900 North 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122, United States

Abstract

Objectives To describe the social and cultural differences between Anglophone and Francophone African immigrants which define the impediments that Francophone African immigrants face trying to access health and human services in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Methods Surveys and personal interviews were administered to participants in social events, community meetings, and health centers. A Chi-squared analysis was used to contrast the communities. Results Francophone Africans demonstrated less acculturation, education, English fluency, and more legal documentation problems, and thus face greater challenges accessing health care. Anglophone Africans had a higher level of acculturation, fewer language problems, and perceived fewer barriers in accessing health care than Francophone Africans. Conclusions Educating new immigrants, through a more culturally sensitive infectious disease treatment and prevention program, is integral to achieving a higher access and utilization rates of available services; especially in recent Francophone immigrants. A larger study is needed to extend the findings to other cities where immigrants with similar backgrounds or acculturation issues reside. © 2009 The Author(s).

Author Keywords

Access Immigrant health HIV/AIDS

Index Keywords

cultural anthropology HIV Infections Human immunodeficiency virus infection human middle aged ethnology Social Work United States Young Adult Humans Philadelphia Adolescent male female Africa questionnaire Article Questionnaires adult Health Services Accessibility Culture health care delivery
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-77955982442&doi=10.1007%2fs10903-009-9229-8&partnerID=40&md5=9ce89961768df5e6ef7de23511bc4cbb
DOI: 10.1007/s10903-009-9229-8
ISSN: 15571912
Cited by: 10
Original Language: English