This study was undertaken to determine the dynamics of why Vietnamese refugees may not optimally use existing health services in the United States. A random sample of 75 refugees was interviewed by a bilingual translator. Multivariate analysis of variance was used to analyze the effects of time of arrival on whether the following are barriers to care: not having a translator available in health care facilities, feeling understood by health care providers, being able to understand the written and verbal instructions of providers, and not having a primary provider. The hypothesis, that time-of-arrival groups would differ significantly on these variables, was supported (F = 4.81; df = 8,136; P < .001). Concern about not having a translator in health care facilities ranked first in distinguishing the groups (F = 17.09; df = 2,71; P < .001), followed by primary provider (F = 5.68; df = 2,71; P < .01), feeling understood by the provider (F = 5.15; df = 2,71; P < .01), and being able to understand written and verbal instructions given by the provider (F = 4.25; df = 2,71; P < .05). The time-of-arrival groups also differed significantly on supplemental analyses. Subjects expressed willingness to seek more frequent health care if transiators were available in health care facilities (F = 18.22; df = 2,72; P < .001) and to change health care sites to gain a translator (F = 13.74; df = 2,72; P < .001). © 1992.

Health care barriers Vietnamese refugees

Vietnam Communication Barriers refugee human Health Behavior Refugees communication disorder language ethnology United States Viet Nam questionnaire Article Telephone Questionnaires Translating patient attitude Patient Acceptance of Health Care Analysis of Variance Health Services Accessibility health care delivery