Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Volume 18, Issue 6, 2016, Pages 1423-1431

Chronic Health Conditions, Physical Activity and Dietary Behaviors of Bhutanese Refugees: A Houston-Based Needs Assessment (Article)

Misra S.M. , Nepal V.P. , Banerjee D. , Giardino A.P.*
  • a Academic General Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, 6621 Fannin, Suite A135, Houston, TX 77030, United States, Pediatrics, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
  • b Department of Health and Human Services, City of Houston, 8000 North Stadium Drive, Houston, TX 77054, United States
  • c Department of Health and Human Services, City of Houston, 8000 North Stadium Drive, Houston, TX 77054, United States
  • d Academic General Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, 6621 Fannin, Suite A135, Houston, TX 77030, United States, Pediatrics, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, United States

Abstract

Bhutanese refugees resettling in the U.S. face many challenges including several related to health and health care. Limited health literacy and the relatively complicated US health care system may contribute to health disparities as well. A health assessment was conducted on adult refugees in Houston, Texas to provide healthcare providers, community organizations, and stakeholders baseline data to plan programs and interventions. A convenience sample of 100 participants had a mean age of 38.37 years, 56 % where males, and almost 80 % did not have high school level education. High blood pressure (27 %), dizziness (27 %), and arthritis (22 %) were the commonly identified chronic health conditions and trouble concentrating (34 %) and fatigue (37 %) were also reported. Sixty-two percent of the respondents reported that they consume recommended servings of fruits and vegetables and 41 %reported that they were currently getting at least 20–30 min of aerobic exercise per day. The assessment concluded with recommendations on how better provide care and services for the refugees. © 2015, Springer Science+Business Media New York.

Author Keywords

Bhutanese Needs assessment Refugees

Index Keywords

Needs Assessment refugee exercise mental health human epidemiology Health Behavior middle aged Refugees statistics and numerical data health status hypertension diet Health Surveys chronic disease ethnology Bhutan dizziness arthritis Humans male female Socioeconomic Factors socioeconomics adult Fatigue Texas health survey
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84944706109&doi=10.1007%2fs10903-015-0282-1&partnerID=40&md5=47f2619112986ed9326a2e8fe7e2224b
DOI: 10.1007/s10903-015-0282-1
ISSN: 15571912
Cited by: 5
Original Language: English