Journal of Rural Health
Volume 27, Issue 2, 2011, Pages 159-167

Exploring the Use of Nonmedical Sources of Prescription Drugs Among Immigrant Latinos in the Rural Southeastern USA (Article)

Vissman A.T.* , Bloom F.R. , Leichliter J.S. , Bachmann L.H. , Montaño J. , Topmiller M. , Rhodes S.D.
  • a Department of Social Sciences and Health Policy, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
  • b Division of STD Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
  • c Division of STD Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
  • d Section on Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States, Infectious Diseases Section, W.G. Hefner Medical Center, Salisbury, NC, United States
  • e Chatham Social Health Council, Siler City, NC, United States
  • f Department of Regional Planning, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
  • g Department of Social Sciences and Health Policy, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States, Section on Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States, Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States

Abstract

Background: Little is known about access to medicine among immigrant Latinos in the United States (US). This study explored access to, and use of, prescription drugs obtained from nonmedical sources among recently arrived, Spanish-speaking immigrant Latinos in rural North Carolina (NC). Methods: Our community-based participatory research partnership collected, analyzed, and interpreted data from individual in-depth interviews with Latino community members and rural health service providers. A purposive sample of 30 community members, including traditional healers, religious leaders, transgender Latinos, heterosexual Latino men and women, and Latino gay men, were interviewed to gain emic ("insider") perspectives on use of nonmedical sources of prescription drugs. Six local Latino health service providers also were interviewed to gain etic ("outsider") perspectives on use. Results: Participants described the roles of tiendas (grocers), family, and social networks in accessing treatment advice and prescription drugs. They described health care expectations among immigrants and contingencies for accessing prescription drugs in the US. Prescription medicines (eg, antibiotics, hormones, Viagra, analgesics), injection equipment (eg, syringes), and medical advice were identified as readily available from nonmedical sources. Conclusions: Increased access to formalized health care and effective health education initiatives are needed to meet the challenges facing immigrant Latinos. © 2010 National Rural Health Association.

Author Keywords

Immigrant Hispanic/Latino Prescription drugs Health education rural

Index Keywords

human rural population Hispanic Americans prescription drug Prescription Drugs Commerce interview United States Young Adult Humans Hispanic Interviews as Topic male Emigrants and Immigrants female commercial phenomena Article adult migration participatory research Community-Based Participatory Research Southeastern United States Health Services Accessibility health care delivery
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-79953285935&doi=10.1111%2fj.1748-0361.2010.00323.x&partnerID=40&md5=f518cacbf19229e857db11ca337e534d
DOI: 10.1111/j.1748-0361.2010.00323.x
ISSN: 0890765X
Cited by: 20
Original Language: English