Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Volume 13, Issue 6, 2011, Pages 1168-1174

Navigating a new health culture: Experiences of immigrant hispanic women (Article)

Sanchez-Birkhead A.C.* , Kennedy H.P. , Callister L.C. , Miyamoto T.P.
  • a Brigham Young University, College of Nursing, 500 SWKT, Provo, UT 84602, United States
  • b Yale University, School of Nursing, New Haven, CT, United States
  • c Brigham Young University, College of Nursing, 500 SWKT, Provo, UT 84602, United States
  • d Intermountain Utah Valley Regional Medical Center, Provo, UT, United States

Abstract

According to many reports, time in the United States negatively affects the health of Hispanic immigrants. However, little is known about the role of traditional health beliefs and practices in immigrants' underutilization of the US health care system. This descriptive, qualitative study utilized narrative interviews with 20 foreign-born Hispanic women of childbearing age to gain a better understanding of their existing health beliefs, health promotion practices, past health care experiences, and transition into a new society and health care system. Demographic data and scores on the short acculturation scale for Hispanics were also analyzed. Results highlight the importance of female social support for Hispanic women in making health care decisions; their dual use of US medical intervention and home and herbal remedies; and perceived racial discrimination on their health-care seeking behaviors and adherence to treatment modalities. Recommendations are included for professionals who provide health care to immigrant Hispanic women and their families. © 2010 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.

Author Keywords

Women's health Immigrant health Health promotion health disparities Racial discrimination Public health Culture and health Childbearing age Hispanic women Hispanic immigrants

Index Keywords

cultural anthropology health disparity Health Status Disparities human Health Behavior ethnology Hispanic Americans interview United States Young Adult Humans Hispanic Interviews as Topic Emigrants and Immigrants female Article adult migration Culture
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-80755189264&doi=10.1007%2fs10903-010-9369-x&partnerID=40&md5=fe9ddf3017f6180568699ac0013198ba
DOI: 10.1007/s10903-010-9369-x
ISSN: 15571912
Cited by: 20
Original Language: English