This study examines attitudes of Mexican female immigrants to Albuquerque, New Mexico, regarding barriers to health care access in the United States and Mexico for stigmatizing and non-stigmatizing illnesses and moderating effects of social support. Native Spanish speakers conducted three focus groups (in Spanish) lasting two hours with seven to eight participants. Focus groups were transcribed, translated, and coded. Frequency data were calculated by number of times concepts or themes were raised. Comparisons of barriers to health care access were made between U.S. and Mexican cultures. The majority (86%) of comments on barriers for non-stigmatizing illnesses implicated U.S. culture; the majority (90%) for stigmatizing illnesses implicated Mexican culture. Social support for stigmatizing illnesses was discussed. Participants discussed important issues of health care access for stigmatizing illnesses that may have implications for this population's health status. Greater attention should be paid to stigma and social support in future empirical studies.

Health care access Hispanic Social support Minority Stigma

information processing cultural anthropology Culture social psychology psychological aspect Stereotyping human social support ethnology Mexico qualitative research United States Humans Cross-Cultural Comparison Hispanic Emigrants and Immigrants female questionnaire cultural factor Article New Mexico Questionnaires adult migration Prejudice patient attitude Patient Acceptance of Health Care Focus Groups attitude to health Health Services Accessibility Mexican Americans health care delivery