Faculty Study Examines Experiences of African Immigrant Women Navigating the U.S. Healthcare System
A recent study in the journal Healthcare led by Assistant Professor Dr. Gashaye Tefera and colleagues from the University of Missouri, University of Minnesota and Notre Dame of Maryland University shared insight into the experiences of African immigrant women when accessing primary healthcare in the United States.
The process of navigating a new healthcare system in a new country comes with a host of challenges for immigrants, particularly women. Women of color are less likely than other demographics to access healthcare. African immigrant women are the least likely to have access to proper healthcare and also have the highest rate of diagnosis for sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDs. Immigrants, either lawfully present or undocumented in the United States, are also less likely to access healthcare compared to U.S. citizens.
Previous research on U.S. immigrant populations has focused more on Asian and Hispanic immigrants, with African immigrants falling into the singular "Black" category, leading to a misrepresentation or complete lack of understanding of the experiences of diverse immigrants.
"The study is the first of its kind," Dr. Tefera explained. "Focusing on the experiences and perceptions of adult Ethiopian women shines a light on the experiences of a group of people among the second largest African immigrant population in the United States."
Recent immigrants under ten years are especially likely to lack access to healthcare, particularly primary care. The researchers utilized qualitative design and in-depth interviews to learn about Ethiopian adult immigrant women's experiences.
The research findings showed three major themes in their experiences and perceptions of accessing primary care in the U.S.
- Settling into life in the U.S. delays immigrants' ability to access primary care. Overwhelming experiences such as a new environment, procuring housing and employment, and working through documents and legal status demands contribute to this delay and avoidance of care.
- Adjusting to a more complex U.S. healthcare system including confusion and mixed perceptions. Compared to Ethiopia's relatively universal healthcare system, the nature and procedure of the U.S. primary healthcare system represents a big adjustment. Participants also noted that U.S. healthcare was highly quality but less accessible. The nature of patient involvement in the process was both appreciated and perceived as an additional difficulty for study participants. The study's participants also recognized the disparities in access to care, particularly for People of Color.
- Avoidance of care. Many participants developed the habit of attending annual check-ups and screenings for preventative care and maternity-related services but avoided treatment for non-chronic issues or anything that wasn't life-threatening.
"The study is an important start to representing the multiplicities and diverse immigrant experiences in the U.S. and addressing the needs of these populations," shared Dr. Tefera.
"It is vital to understand that immigrant women's access to primary healthcare is shaped by struggles to adjust both to their new life and the U.S. healthcare system, influenced by legal, employment, and structural barriers. Research and interventions should address healthcare access in relation to these challenges and the importance of pre- and post-arrival transitional support. Providing resources like immigrant health information centers and addressing legal, residential, and employment issues could reduce healthcare avoidance."