Barriers to accessing preventive health care among African-born individuals in King County, Washington: A qualitative study involving key informants.
Studies of African immigrant health in the U.S. have traditionally focused on infectious diseases. However, the rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) indicates the increasing importance of general preventive health care. As part of a series of community health events designed for African...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
2021-01-01
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| Series: | PLoS ONE |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0250800 |
| _version_ | 1831584058383007744 |
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| author | D Allen Roberts Seifu Abera Guiomar Basualdo Roxanne P Kerani Farah Mohamed Rahel Schwartz Beyene Gebreselassie Ahmed Ali Rena Patel |
| author_facet | D Allen Roberts Seifu Abera Guiomar Basualdo Roxanne P Kerani Farah Mohamed Rahel Schwartz Beyene Gebreselassie Ahmed Ali Rena Patel |
| author_sort | D Allen Roberts |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Studies of African immigrant health in the U.S. have traditionally focused on infectious diseases. However, the rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) indicates the increasing importance of general preventive health care. As part of a series of community health events designed for African-born individuals in King County, Washington, we administered key informant interviews (KIIs) with 16 health event participants, medical professionals, and community leaders to identify barriers and facilitators to use of preventive health care among African-born individuals. We used descriptive thematic analysis to organize barriers according to the socio-ecological model. Within the individual domain, KII participants identified lack of knowledge and awareness of preventive health benefits as barriers to engagement in care. Within the interpersonal domain, language and cultural differences frequently complicated relationships with health care providers. Within the societal and policy domains, healthcare costs, lack of insurance, and structural racism were also reported as major barriers. Participants identified community outreach with culturally competent and respectful providers as key elements of interventions to improve uptake. In conclusion, African immigrant communities face several barriers, ranging from individual to policy levels, to accessing health services, resulting in substantial unmet need for chronic disease prevention and treatment. Community-centered and -led care may help facilitate uptake and engagement in care. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-17T20:52:59Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-14ab4020fbc848938690f0773c89d7be |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1932-6203 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-17T20:52:59Z |
| publishDate | 2021-01-01 |
| publisher | Public Library of Science (PLoS) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | PLoS ONE |
| spelling | doaj.art-14ab4020fbc848938690f0773c89d7be2022-12-21T21:32:57ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032021-01-01165e025080010.1371/journal.pone.0250800Barriers to accessing preventive health care among African-born individuals in King County, Washington: A qualitative study involving key informants.D Allen RobertsSeifu AberaGuiomar BasualdoRoxanne P KeraniFarah MohamedRahel SchwartzBeyene GebreselassieAhmed AliRena PatelStudies of African immigrant health in the U.S. have traditionally focused on infectious diseases. However, the rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) indicates the increasing importance of general preventive health care. As part of a series of community health events designed for African-born individuals in King County, Washington, we administered key informant interviews (KIIs) with 16 health event participants, medical professionals, and community leaders to identify barriers and facilitators to use of preventive health care among African-born individuals. We used descriptive thematic analysis to organize barriers according to the socio-ecological model. Within the individual domain, KII participants identified lack of knowledge and awareness of preventive health benefits as barriers to engagement in care. Within the interpersonal domain, language and cultural differences frequently complicated relationships with health care providers. Within the societal and policy domains, healthcare costs, lack of insurance, and structural racism were also reported as major barriers. Participants identified community outreach with culturally competent and respectful providers as key elements of interventions to improve uptake. In conclusion, African immigrant communities face several barriers, ranging from individual to policy levels, to accessing health services, resulting in substantial unmet need for chronic disease prevention and treatment. Community-centered and -led care may help facilitate uptake and engagement in care.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0250800 |
| spellingShingle | D Allen Roberts Seifu Abera Guiomar Basualdo Roxanne P Kerani Farah Mohamed Rahel Schwartz Beyene Gebreselassie Ahmed Ali Rena Patel Barriers to accessing preventive health care among African-born individuals in King County, Washington: A qualitative study involving key informants. PLoS ONE |
| title | Barriers to accessing preventive health care among African-born individuals in King County, Washington: A qualitative study involving key informants. |
| title_full | Barriers to accessing preventive health care among African-born individuals in King County, Washington: A qualitative study involving key informants. |
| title_fullStr | Barriers to accessing preventive health care among African-born individuals in King County, Washington: A qualitative study involving key informants. |
| title_full_unstemmed | Barriers to accessing preventive health care among African-born individuals in King County, Washington: A qualitative study involving key informants. |
| title_short | Barriers to accessing preventive health care among African-born individuals in King County, Washington: A qualitative study involving key informants. |
| title_sort | barriers to accessing preventive health care among african born individuals in king county washington a qualitative study involving key informants |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0250800 |
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