Journal of Genetic Counseling
Volume 28, Issue 4, 2019, Pages 887-896

Developing culturally informed genetic services for the Somali immigrants in Minnesota (Article)

Cheung F.Y. , Pratt R. , Shire A. , Bigalke L. , Ahmed Z. , Zierhut H.*
  • a Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
  • b Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
  • c Health and Research Institute for Somali Americans Inc. (HeRISA), Rochester, MN, United States
  • d Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
  • e Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
  • f Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States

Abstract

Misinformation and distrust often prevent individuals from minority communities to seek adequate healthcare, including genetic services. Immigrants appear to be further burdened by factors that negatively impact their health outcomes and little is known about their experience with genetic services. We sought to identify attitudes and perception of genetic services in one immigrant group, the Somali community of Minnesota and to establish a culturally informed framework for caring for members. A qualitative study comprised of 11 semi-structured key informant interviews was conducted and analyzed using a thematic approach. Main themes emerged from the analysis fell within one of four major topics: (a) Somali views and perspective on genetics and healthcare, (b) barriers to uptake of genetic services, (c) facilitators to uptake of genetic services, and (d) perspective on genetic service delivery subtypes. Somali views and perspective on genetics are often framed by religious and cultural values. These values, at times, conflicted with those common in the American healthcare system. Supports for different genetic service delivery subtypes also varied, ranging from little to no support in prenatal screening to generally positive support for pharmacogenetic testing. Future studies should prioritize topics with support and ways to better provide genetic counseling services within the Somali community. © 2019 National Society of Genetic Counselors

Author Keywords

qualitative research Health behavior Ethnic minority Genetic counseling Somali immigrants Public health genetic services Genetics Underrepresented populations

Index Keywords

cultural value controlled study ethnic group perception immigrant prenatal screening genetic counseling health care system Minnesota pharmacogenetic testing qualitative research Article interview human Health Behavior public health
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85065408814&doi=10.1002%2fjgc4.1131&partnerID=40&md5=b397df7fdf56de8b23554774133f5836
DOI: 10.1002/jgc4.1131
ISSN: 10597700
Original Language: English