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Social–cultural, traditional beliefs, and health system barriers of hepatitis B screening among Hmong Americans: A case study
Author(s) -
Fang Dao M.,
Stewart Susan L.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/cncr.31096
Subject(s) - medicine , health care , psychological intervention , qualitative research , family medicine , social determinants of health , gerontology , nursing , public health , sociology , social science , economics , economic growth
BACKGROUND The incidence of liver cancer in Hmong Americans is 5 times higher than that of non‐Hispanic whites, and there is a low hepatitis B screening rate (24%) among Hmong adults compared with other Asian American populations. The purpose of this study was to examine the Hmong's perceptions on social–cultural determinants, traditional health beliefs, and health care system barriers that influenced community‐based hepatitis B screening interventions. METHODS A qualitative method was used, integrating a collective case study research design. In‐depth interviews were used to collect data from 20 Hmong adults from the greater Sacramento area. A pattern matching analytic technique was used to analyze the data. The main core elements of Culture Care Theory were used to capture the key themes presented by the participants. RESULTS Protecting a family's reputation; fear of doctors, medical procedures, and test results; lack of trust in medical doctors and medical care services; and using Hmong herbal medicines and practicing spiritual healing were identified as social–cultural and traditional health belief barriers to obtaining HBV screening. Health care costs, perceived discrimination, lack of transportation, linguistic discordance, and poor quality of care were identified as barriers to accessing high‐quality health care services and obtaining hepatitis B screening. CONCLUSION Providers, health policy makers, researchers, and community‐based organizations will need to work together to develop intervention strategies to address the social–cultural factors, traditional health beliefs, and health care challenges that influence obtaining hepatitis B screening in the Hmong community. Cancer 2018;124:1576‐82 . © 2018 American Cancer Society .