Knowledge and beliefs about health promotion and preventive health care among somali women in the United States

Health Care Women Int. 2007 Apr;28(4):360-80. doi: 10.1080/07399330601179935.

Abstract

We explored conceptualizations of health promotion and experiences with preventive health services among African refugee women. We asked 34 resettled Somali refugee women about their beliefs and experiences regarding health promotion and common preventive health care services in the United States. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed, and analyzed using a grounded theory approach. Key themes were the importance of good hygiene, an adequate source of food and water, access to a regular source of health care, spirituality, traditional practices, and functioning well at home. All participants were familiar with the process and rationale for immunizations and routine medical examinations; few understood cancer screening services.

MeSH terms

  • Acculturation
  • Adult
  • Attitude to Health / ethnology*
  • Cultural Characteristics*
  • Female
  • Health Behavior / ethnology*
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Health Promotion*
  • Health Status*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Narration
  • Refugees
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Somalia / ethnology
  • Spirituality
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • United States / epidemiology