scholarly journals “They Wait until the Disease Has Taking over You and the Doctors Cannot Do Anything about It”: Qualitative Insights from Harambee! 2.0

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (23) ◽  
pp. 12706
Author(s):  
Shukri A. Hassan ◽  
Farah Mohamed ◽  
Najma Sheikh ◽  
Guiomar Basualdo ◽  
Nahom A. Daniel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Beliefs ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
African Immigrants ◽  
Preventive Health Care ◽  
Immigrant Communities ◽  
African Immigrant ◽  
Black African ◽  
Healthcare Needs ◽  
Immigrant Experiences ◽  
Preventative Healthcare

African immigrants make up a large subgroup of Black/African-Americans in the US. However, because African immigrant groups are typically categorized as “Black,” little is known about their preventative healthcare needs. Differences in culture, life and healthcare experiences between African immigrant populations and US-born people may influence preventive health care uptake. Thus, policymakers and healthcare providers lack information needed to make informed decisions around preventive care for African immigrants. This formative study was conducted among the largest East African immigrant communities in King County, WA. We recruited religious leaders, community leaders, health professionals, and lay community members to participate in thirty key informant interviews and five focus group discussions (n = 72 total), to better understand preventative healthcare attitudes in these communities. Through inductive coding and thematic analysis, we identified factors that impact preventative healthcare attitudes of the Somali, Ethiopian and Eritrean immigrant communities and deter them from accessing and utilizing healthcare. Cultural beliefs and attitudes around preventative healthcare, mistrust of westernized healthcare, religious beliefs/views, intersecting identities and shared immigrant experiences all influence how participants view preventative healthcare. Our results suggest that interventions that address these factors are needed to most effectively increase uptake of preventative healthcare in African immigrant communities.

Faith, An Alien and Narrow Path of Christian Ethics in Migration

Exchange ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 68-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johnson Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
African Immigrants ◽  
Christian Ethics ◽  
Immigrant Communities ◽  
Undocumented Migrant ◽  
African Immigrant ◽  
Christian Morality ◽  
Immigrant Churches ◽  
Context Of Situation ◽  
Immigrant Congregations

Abstract The rise of African immigrant communities in the diaspora, especially in Europe and North America, have contributed significantly to the renewal of Christian presence in those contexts. There are significant numbers of the membership of African immigrant congregations who are economic migrants and whose immigration statuses have not been regularized. The average undocumented migrant lives a very difficult life due to the inability to provide authentic papers for work. This affects the lives of immigrants in several ways, including access to healthcare and education for children. In those circumstances the temptation to survive by assuming false identities is very strong. The mission of immigrant churches includes the provision of ‘protection’ for their vulnerable members who need to survive a physically precarious diaspora. That African immigrants often reinterpret their problems in terms of attacks from supernatural forces and envious witches at ‘home’ in Africa informs the approach of the leadership to care and counselling. This paper proposes to identify the pastoral problems of African immigrant Christians within the context of situation ethics and how the inability to regularize their stay in Europe and North America affects Christian morality and mission in ‘alien lands’.

scholarly journals Gender-Based Expectations and their Effect on Mental Health Amongst Black African Immigrant Young Men Living in Canada

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 82-90
Author(s):  
Omolola Olawo
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Service Utilization ◽  
African Immigrants ◽  
Interpretive Description ◽  
African Immigrant ◽  
Black African ◽  
Speaking Out ◽  
Cultural Expectations ◽  
Gender Based ◽  
Immigrant Men

Black African immigrant men’s mental health is relatively understudied. This article is part of a larger study that explored the perceptions of mental health amongst African immigrant youth living in Canada. Using an interpretive description methodology, underpinned by an intersectional and critical lens, this article addresses racial, societal, and cultural expectations that could have an effect on Black African immigrant men’s mental health. Eight men and women who self-identified as Black African immigrants between the ages of 18 and 25 participated in the overall study, while five participants contributed the data for this article. Masculinity as a determinant of health, the resilience of African men, and the intersections of identity and vulnerability are discussed. It is concluded that the stigma surrounding Black African men speaking out about their mental health warrants a deeper examination in relation to their mental health outcomes. Areas of further inquiry include exploring mental health service utilization amongst Black African immigrant men.

scholarly journals SEARCHING FOR THEORETICAL AGENCY: TOWARDS A BLACK AFRICAN IMMIGRANT STANDPOINT EPISTEMOLOGY

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-27
Author(s):  
BERTRAND TCHOUMI
Keyword(s):  
African Immigrants ◽  
Theoretical Development ◽  
Alternative Form ◽  
African Immigrant ◽  
Black African ◽  
Standpoint Epistemology ◽  
Core Components ◽  
Major Section ◽  
The Many ◽  
Conceptual Foundations

This article describes the theoretical construction of a Black African Immigrant Standpoint Epistemology (BAISE). BAISE is an emerging system of thought that seeks and locates the souls of Black African immigrants, re-centers their conceptions of knowledge, and describes their theory of action. Such an epistemology is critical as a tool for Black African immigrants to more effectively express their theoretical agency and construct an alternative form of knowledge that accounts for the totality of their experiences and their social realities. The article first describes the key tenets of several conceptual frameworks that have been appropriated and reconfigured to provide the conceptual foundations of BAISE. These core components are interwoven together to capture the complexity of the experiences and the realities of Black African immigrants and create a tapestry of concepts and knowledges providing the epistemological context for BAISE. Among the many coeval and complementary theories of knowledge available, theories that focus on agency and the construction of realities, on the valorization of previously discredited and discounted epistemological alternatives, as well as on the deconstruction of the positionality of Black African immigrants on the racialized checkerboard and on the re-centering of the marginalized and oppressed lives have seeded the emergence of BAISE. The second major section of this article presents the initial theoretical development of BAISE. The conceptualization process describes how the marginalized status of Black African immigrants shapes their identities and perspectives on the world.

SEARCHING FOR THEORETICAL AGENCY: TOWARDS A BLACK AFRICAN IMMIGRANT STANDPOINT EPISTEMOLOGY

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-27
Author(s):  
BERTRAND TCHOUMI
Keyword(s):  
African Immigrants ◽  
Theoretical Development ◽  
Alternative Form ◽  
African Immigrant ◽  
Black African ◽  
Standpoint Epistemology ◽  
Core Components ◽  
Major Section ◽  
The Many ◽  
Conceptual Foundations

This article describes the theoretical construction of a Black African Immigrant Standpoint Epistemology (BAISE). BAISE is an emerging system of thought that seeks and locates the souls of Black African immigrants, re-centers their conceptions of knowledge, and describes their theory of action. Such an epistemology is critical as a tool for Black African immigrants to more effectively express their theoretical agency and construct an alternative form of knowledge that accounts for the totality of their experiences and their social realities. The article first describes the key tenets of several conceptual frameworks that have been appropriated and reconfigured to provide the conceptual foundations of BAISE. These core components are interwoven together to capture the complexity of the experiences and the realities of Black African immigrants and create a tapestry of concepts and knowledges providing the epistemological context for BAISE. Among the many coeval and complementary theories of knowledge available, theories that focus on agency and the construction of realities, on the valorization of previously discredited and discounted epistemological alternatives, as well as on the deconstruction of the positionality of Black African immigrants on the racialized checkerboard and on the re-centering of the marginalized and oppressed lives have seeded the emergence of BAISE. The second major section of this article presents the initial theoretical development of BAISE. The conceptualization process describes how the marginalized status of Black African immigrants shapes their identities and perspectives on the world.

scholarly journals Longer Residence in the United States is Associated With More Physical Function Limitations in African Immigrant Older Adults

2020 ◽  
pp. 073346482097760
Author(s):  
Manka Nkimbeng ◽  
Yvonne Commodore-Mensah ◽  
Jacqueline L. Angel ◽  
Karen Bandeen-Roche ◽  
Roland J. Thorpe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Physical Function ◽  
Racial Discrimination ◽  
African Immigrants ◽  
The United States ◽  
African Immigrant ◽  
High Discrimination ◽  
The Mean

Acculturation and racial discrimination have been independently associated with physical function limitations in immigrant and United States (U.S.)-born populations. This study examined the relationships among acculturation, racial discrimination, and physical function limitations in N = 165 African immigrant older adults using multiple linear regression. The mean age was 62 years ( SD = 8 years), and 61% were female. Older adults who resided in the United States for 10 years or more had more physical function limitations compared with those who resided here for less than 10 years ( b = −2.62, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [–5.01, –0.23]). Compared to lower discrimination, those with high discrimination had more physical function limitations ( b = −2.51, 95% CI = [–4.91, –0.17]), but this was no longer significant after controlling for length of residence and acculturation strategy. Residing in the United States for more than 10 years is associated with poorer physical function. Longitudinal studies with large, diverse samples of African immigrants are needed to confirm these associations.

scholarly journals Cigar-Smoking-Cessation Interest and Experience among Black Young Adults: A Semi-Structured In-Depth Interview Investigation

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (14) ◽  
pp. 7309
Author(s):  
Aniruddh Ajith ◽  
Aaron Broun ◽  
Danielle A. Duarte ◽  
Bambi Jewett ◽  
Lilianna Phan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Financial Constraints ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Smoking Prevalence ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
Black African ◽  
Depth Interview ◽  
Cigar Smoking

Although Black/African American populations have high cigar-smoking prevalence, little is known about cigar-smoking cessation among this group. This study explored the perceptions and experiences of cigar-smoking cessation and assistance received from healthcare providers among forty Black young-adult cigar smokers (ages 21–29). Semi-structured in-depth phone interviews were transcribed and coded. Qualitative data were analyzed by using thematic analysis. Participants mostly smoked cigarillos, large cigars, and blunts. Overall, many regular cigarillo smokers reported interest in quitting eventually, while large-cigar and blunt smokers shared less interest in quitting because they perceived low harm from smoking these products. The reasons for cigar-smoking cessation were health concerns and financial constraints. Most of the participants who attempted to quit cigars did not use any cessation aids. The reasons for relapse included nicotine withdrawal, stress, and easy access. Additionally, most participants reported their healthcare providers did not ask whether they smoked cigars, and even when they knew, little assistance for cigar-smoking cessation was provided. Informing Black cigar smokers of the harm of cigar smoking and encouraging healthcare providers to screen for and assist with cigar-smoking cessation may alleviate the health burden of cigar smoking in this population.

scholarly journals Determinants of preconception care among pregnant women in an urban and a rural health facility in Kenya: a qualitative study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. K. Okemo ◽  
D. Kamya ◽  
A. M. Mwaniki ◽  
M. Temmerman
Keyword(s):  
Child Health ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Preconception Care ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Preventive Health Care ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Rural Setting ◽  
Rural Settings ◽  
And Child Health

Abstract Background Preconception care (PCC) is a form of preventive health care that is offered to women and couples before conception, with the aim of improving their health status and mitigating various risk factors that could contribute to poor maternal and child health outcomes. The levels of PCC utilization are still low globally, especially in developing countries and in rural areas. Little is known regarding PCC use in Kenya that could help in addressing this shortfall. This study aimed to qualitatively assess the determinants of PCC in urban and rural settings in Kenya. Methods A qualitative approach was employed to assess determinants of PCC using a semi-structured interview guide. The study was conducted from May to October 2017. Selected pregnant women seeking antenatal care (ANC) were recruited by quota sampling, at the Mother and Child Health (MCH) clinics in Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi (AKUH, N-urban) and Maragua Level Four Hospital (MLFH-rural). The interviews were thereafter transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically. Findings A total of 26 women were invited, of whom 21 accepted to participate in in-depth interviews (IDIs). Saturation of themes occurred with 13 interviews (7 at AKUH and 6 at MLFH). Transcription, coding and thematic analysis of the IDIs yielded 12 themes. Eleven of these themes were identified as determinants of PCC. The twelfth theme contained suggested strategies of increasing PCC awareness and utilization, such as using the media, setting up PCC clinics and integrating PCC into other clinics. The dominant themes were awareness about PCC and attitudes towards PCC and pregnancy. The broad determinants of PCC were similar in urban and rural settings – with a few notable exceptions. For example, in the rural setting, women’s level of education and a pervasive history of poor interactions with healthcare providers were major determinants of PCC. Conclusion From this study we conclude that women’s lack of awareness about PCC, in conjunction with attitudes towards PCC and pregnancy impact strongly on its utilization. This lack of awareness could be addressed through health education programs for both the public and for healthcare providers, as well as integrating PCC in the curricula of the later.

scholarly journals Young adults' healthcare utilisation and healthcare needs: Perceptions and experiences of healthcare providers

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Viktorsson ◽  
Eva Törnvall ◽  
Magnus Falk ◽  
Ingrid Wåhlin ◽  
Pia Yngman‐Uhlin
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Healthcare Utilisation ◽  
Healthcare Needs

scholarly journals Determinants of Preconception care among Pregnant Women In an Urban and a Rural Health Facility In Kenya: A Qualitative Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joan Khavugwi Okemo ◽  
Dorothy Kamya ◽  
Abraham Mukaindo Mwaniki ◽  
Marleen Temmerman
Keyword(s):  
Child Health ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Preconception Care ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Preventive Health Care ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Rural Setting ◽  
Rural Settings ◽  
And Child Health

Abstract BACKGROUNDPreconception care (PCC) is a form of preventive health care that is offered to women and couples before conception, with the aim of improving their health status and mitigating various risk factors that could contribute to poor maternal and child health outcomes. The levels of PCC utilization are still low globally, especially in developing countries and in the rural areas. Little is known regarding PCC use in Kenya that could help in bridging this gap. This study aimed to assess the determinants of PCC in urban and rural settings in Kenya.METHODSSelected pregnant women seeking antenatal care (ANC) were recruited by purposive sampling at the Mother and Child Health (MCH) clinics in Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi (AKUH, N-urban) and Maragua Level Four Hospital (MLFH-rural). A qualitative approach was employed to assess determinants of PCC using a semi-structured interview guide. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically.RESULTS A total of 26 women were invited, of whom 21 accepted to participate in in-depth interviews (IDIs). Saturation of themes occurred after 13 interviews (7 at AKUH and 6 at MLFH).Transcription, coding and thematic analysis of the IDIs yielded 12 main themes. Eleven of the main themes were identified as determinants of PCC while the twelfth theme contained suggested strategies of increasing PCC awareness and utilization, such as using the media, setting up PCC clinics and integrating PCC into other clinics. The dominant themes were awareness about PCC and attitudes towards PCC and pregnancy.The broad determinants of PCC were similar in urban and rural settings – with a few notable exceptions. For example, in the rural setting, women’s level of education and a pervasive history of poor interactions with healthcare providers were major determinants of PCC.CONCLUSIONFrom this study we conclude that women’s lack of awareness about PCC, in conjunction with attitudes towards PCC and pregnancy impact strongly on its utilization. This lack of awareness could be addressed through health education programs for both the public and for healthcare providers, as well as integrating PCC in the curricula of nurses and doctors.

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