Asian Americans’ Cancer Information Seeking, Fatalistic Belief, and Perceived Risk: Current Status and Relationships with Cancer Prevention and Detection Behaviors

This study pursues four research goals: (1) to examine Asian Americans and Asian ethnic groups’ (i.e., Chinese, Filipinos, Japanese, Koreans, Vietnamese) information seeking, fatalistic belief, and perceived risk of cancer, in comparison to non-Hispanic Whites; (2) to identify characteristics of Asian Americans who seek cancer information, hold fatalistic cancer belief, and perceive cancer risk; (3) to assess cancer prevention and detection behavior gaps between Asian Americans and Whites, and (4) to explore whether such gaps can be explained by cancer information seeking, fatalistic belief, and perceived risk. Data from 2011-2014 Health Information National Trends Surveys (HINTS) were analyzed. Asian Americans and most Asian ethnic groups were less likely to seek cancer information and perceive their cancer risk as lower than Whites. However, Asian Americans were less likely to hold some fatalistic beliefs (i.e., everything causes cancer, there are too many cancer prevention recommendations) than Whites. Asian Americans’ odds of engaging in breast cancer screening, physical activity, vegetable intake, and sun protection increased when cancer information seeking, fatalistic belief, and perceived risk of cancer were controlled

Care coordination in bone health screening between individual behaviors and health care services among Korean-American women across three age groups

Integrated continuous care is important to prevent and treat brittle bone status in the aging process; however, minority groups often have limited access to health services. The purpose of this study was to identify the care coordination among women’s perceptions about their bone health, information from health care providers, and the results of Bone Mineral Density (BMD) tests across three age groups. The study was a cross-sectional comparative design. A total of 63 Korean American women completed both the assessment of BMD of the femoral neck and an interview survey. One’s own risks of osteoporosis, screening behaviors, and health care providers’ advice were analyzed according to three age (pre-, peri-, and post-menopausal) groups, BMD levels, and health insurance coverage. Overall, health insurance coverage and having a primary health care provider of Korean American women were 59.0% and 32.0%, respectively; 61.9% had lower than normal BMD levels, which were significantly increased by advanced age. Individual awareness of risks of osteoporosis and screening behaviors were significantly higher in peri-menopausal than in pre- and post-menopausal groups, but no differences were found in health care providers’ information. The awareness and care providers’ information by BMD level or health insurance did not differ. The findings show a discrepancy between individual perceptions and behaviors and health care providers’ recommendations regard to bone health. Health behaviors should be guided by professional health care providers. The women in the post-menopausal stage need to be educated about the high risk of osteoporosis and its management

The role of social support and social networks in health information-seeking behavior among Korean Americans: a qualitative study

abstract: Introduction This study used social network theory to explore the role of social support and social networks in health information–seeking behavior among Korean American (KA) adults. Methods A descriptive qualitative study using a web-based online survey was conducted from January 2013 to April 2013 in the U.S. The survey included open-ended questions about health information–seeking experiences in personal social networks and their importance in KA adults. Themes emerging from a constant comparative analysis of the narrative comments by 129 of the 202 respondents were analyzed. Results The sample consisted of 129 KA adults, 64.7% female, with a mean age of 33.2 (SD = 7.7). Friends, church members, and family members were the important network connections for KAs to obtain health information. KAs looked for a broad range of health information from social network members, from recommendations and reviews of hospitals/doctors to specific diseases or health conditions. These social networks were regarded as important for KAs because there were no language barriers, social network members had experiences similar to those of other KAs, they felt a sense of belonging with those in their networks, the network connections promoted increased understanding of different health care systems of the U.S. system, and communication with these network connections helped enhance feelings of being physically and mentally healthy. Conclusions This study demonstrates the important role that social support and personal social networks perform in the dissemination of health information for a large ethnic population, KAs, who confront distinct cultural challenges when seeking health information in the U.S. Data from this study also illustrate the cultural factors that influence health information acquisition and access to social support for ethnic minorities. This study provides practical insights for professionals in health information services, namely, that social networks can be employed as a channel for disseminating health information to immigrants.The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at: http://equityhealthj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12939-015-0169-

Illness perceptions and explanatory models of viral hepatitis B & C among immigrants and refugees: a narrative systematic review.

© 2015 Owiti et al.; licensee BioMed Central. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly credited. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated.BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B and C (HBV, HCV) infections are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Many countries with traditionally low prevalence (such as UK) are now planning interventions (screening, vaccination, and treatment) of high-risk immigrants from countries with high prevalence. This review aimed to synthesise the evidence on immigrants' knowledge of HBV and HCV that might influence the uptake of clinical interventions. The review was also used to inform the design and successful delivery of a randomised controlled trial of targeted screening and treatment. METHODS: Five databases (PubMed, CINHAL, SOCIOFILE, PsycINFO & Web of Science) were systematically searched, supplemented by reference tracking, searches of selected journals, and of relevant websites. We aimed to identify qualitative and quantitative studies that investigated knowledge of HBV and HCV among immigrants from high endemic areas to low endemic areas. Evidence, extracted according to a conceptual framework of Kleinman's explanatory model, was subjected to narrative synthesis. We adapted the PEN-3 model to categorise and analyse themes, and recommend strategies for interventions to influence help-seeking behaviour. RESULTS: We identified 51 publications including quantitative (n = 39), qualitative (n = 11), and mixed methods (n = 1) designs. Most of the quantitative studies included small samples and had heterogeneous methods and outcomes. The studies mainly concentrated on hepatitis B and ethnic groups of South East Asian immigrants residing in USA, Canada, and Australia. Many immigrants lacked adequate knowledge of aetiology, symptoms, transmission risk factors, prevention strategies, and treatment, of hepatitis HBV and HCV. Ethnicity, gender, better education, higher income, and English proficiency influenced variations in levels and forms of knowledge. CONCLUSION: Immigrants are vulnerable to HBV and HCV, and risk life-threatening complications from these infections because of poor knowledge and help-seeking behaviour. Primary studies in this area are extremely diverse and of variable quality precluding meta-analysis. Further research is needed outside North America and Australia

Literature Review; Culturally Competent Care for Native Americans with Mental Illness

There is a great n eed f or cu 1t urally competent nurse practitioners within the health care system H . . · owever, the literature 1s lacking regarding the utilization of services or the health-seeking behaviors of Native Americans with mental illness. There is increased morbidity and mortality afflicting racial and ethnic populations. Poor health of these populations may be attributed to poverty, lack of health care access, and cultural competence of health care providers (Geiger, 2001 ). As diversity increases within the general population, health care providers have a greater responsibility to become culturally competent to provide better diagnoses, treatment and outcomes of minorities as they seek health care. A review of literature including articles from the past nine years was performed. Madeline Leininger\u27s Sunrise Model served as a framework for this project. This literature review examined the literature addressing health-seeking behaviors of various minority cultures to assist health care providers with knowledge that supports the provision of culturally competent care for Native Americans with Ml. The review of literature examined the comparison of health-seeking behaviors of Native American people with Ml to rural, Black, Chinese, and Korean Americans as well as people with Ml from the general population. This comparison expanded the ability of a culturally competent provider to be responsive to their clients\u27 unique cultural needs. This information will assist health care providers in being g more e effective in their utilization of cultural preservation, accommodation, or restructuring

Who Is Caring for the Caregiver? The Role of Cybercoping for Dementia Caregivers

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between dementia caregivers’ communication behaviors (information seeking and forwarding) and their outcomes (coping outcomes: e.g., dealing better with negative feelings or improved medical outcomes). A survey data set of dementia patients’ caregivers substantiates the effects of communication behaviors about dementia illness on coping outcomes, as well as the mediating role of emotion-focused and problem-focused coping processes. Using structural equation modeling (SEM), this study found positive effects of communication behaviors on outcomes through coping processes. Further, the results indicate that communication behaviors in cyberspace are crucial for caregivers to cope with dementia, both affectively (improvement of caregivers’ emotional control) and physically (health improvement of patients). The implications for the improvement of public health through online health communication behaviors are discussed

Korean Immigrant Women\u27s Perceptions of Cervical Cancer Screening in Hawaii

Minority immigrant women are more likely to be diagnosed with and suffer from cervical cancer compared to other minority women in the United States. The purpose of this qualitative ethnographic study was to explore cultural health perceptions, behaviors, and barriers to cervical cancer prevention among Korean immigrant women (KIW) in Hawaii. The health belief model and the social-ecological model were used to guide the study. Data were collected using individual structured interviews with 20 KIW ages 21 to 65 who are first-generation KIW immigrant to Hawaii. Data were coded and analyzed to identify themes. Findings revealed that participants (a) prefer a female gynecologist and Korean-speaking physicians; (b) are highly motivated to maintain physical health, including prevention; (c) prefer culturally appropriate community-based cancer prevention programs, and (d) expect innovative health maintenance approaches. Findings may be used by healthcare providers to identify culturally specific health needs of KIW related to cervical cancer screening and to implement appropriate preventive measures for KIW to reduce cancer death

Health, Health Perceptions, Healthcare Practices, and Influencing Factors among Korean Immigrants Living in Rural Texas

The population of Asian immigrants in the United States increased 43.3% from 2000 to 2010. During the same period, Texas experienced an increase of Korean immigrants of over 47%. Despite the increase of Korean immigrants, only a minimal number of studies explored health and healthcare needs specific to this population. Furthermore, none of the studies addressed Korean immigrants living in rural Texas. Hence, an ethnographic study was conducted to examine the health and healthcare among Korean immigrants living in rural Texas. Face-to-face interviews were conducted and transcribed. Five major themes emerged which included acculturation, health and health perceptions, healthcare, relaxation and extracurricular activities, and social connectedness. Rural Korean immigrants had arduous work schedules, financial constraints, and lacked English competency causing stress and fatigue. Furthermore, chronic health problems such as hypertension and hypercholesterolemia existed. However, a majority of the immigrants felt their health was good and engaged in some form of health promotion activities, such as walking or exercising. Despite the health problems, Korean immigrants did not perceive the need for routine healthcare. In addition to receiving no routine healthcare, immigrants did not socialize with other Korean immigrants for a variety of reasons. Furthermore, organizations to assist Korean immigrants did not exist in their community

Women, Health and Aging: Building a Statewide Movement

Provides an overview of current policy and program environments that affect the state's most vulnerable elder population, and considers some effective strategies to address the growing needs of older persons in California

Sociocultural considerations in aging men's health: implications and recommendations for the clinician

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jomh.2009.07.00