Family Medicine
Volume 31, Issue 7, 1999, Pages 477-482

Attitudes regarding tuberculosis in immigrants from the Philippines to the United States (Article)

Yamada S.* , Caballero J. , Matsunaga D.S. , Agustin G. , Magana M.
  • a Dept. of Fam. Pract. and Comm. Hlth., University of Hawaii, Mililani, HI, United States, University of Hawaii, Dept. of Fam. Pract. and Comm. Hlth., 95-390 Kuahelani Avenue, Mililani, HI 96789, United States
  • b Assoc. Asian Pac. Comm. Hlth. Org., Oakland, CA, United States
  • c Kalihi-Palama Health Center, Honolulu, HI, United States
  • d Kokua Kalihi Valley Compreh. Fam. S., Honolulu, HI, United States
  • e Operation Samahan Health Clinic, National City, CA, United States

Abstract

Background and Objectives: More than two thirds of the cases of tuberculosis (TB) in the United States occur in non-white minorities and immigrants. The Philippines is the Asian country of origin with the greatest numbers of TB cases among the foreign-born. This paper explores Filipino knowledge, attitudes, and practices concerning TB. Methods: Four focus groups of Filipino immigrants were convened to discuss the participants' explanatory models regarding TB. The results of these groups were reviewed by a panel of Filipino health workers. Results: The focus group participants expressed a belief in the extreme contagiousness of TB. This leads to social stigma and isolation. The desire to avoid such consequences lead some to deny their illness, not seek attention, or attempt to hide their illness. While all agree that biomedical treatment is necessary, many believe in the effectiveness of traditional and popular treatments. Conclusions: If explanatory models of illness are elicited from individual patients, an understanding of the shared beliefs regarding tuberculosis in Filipinos may contribute to treatment of these patients.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

immigrant health care personnel human middle aged Aged United States Humans Minority Groups male Tuberculosis, Pulmonary female tuberculosis Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Article adult patient attitude Emigration and Immigration Philippines Focus Groups
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0032725616&partnerID=40&md5=61b13527d5497af6e3834333f4a1d6b0
ISSN: 07423225
Cited by: 38
Original Language: English