Health-Seeking Behavioral Patterns among Refugee Groups – A Case-Study in South-central Kentucky

Each year, thousands of people get displaced from their homes due to genocide, famine, civil wars and other crises in their countries. The United States has traditionally been receptive to resettling refugees. These refugees view resettlement as an opportunity to obtain proper health care. Due to the diverse cultural identities of refugee populations, it is essential to research complex culturally dependent healthcare utilization patterns. A purposeful sample of four refugees from the Burmese, Congolese and Iraqi refugee communities in south-central Kentucky- completed interviews. They shared experiences and insights from their cultural points of view. Results showed demographic factors directly impacted access through nationality and language, while social factors and beliefs impacted access through religion, acculturation, health insurance, transportation and the level of cultural competency of a health care facility/provider. These findings would contribute to the popular health and policy-making debates that surround the well-being of this culturally diverse population