Health care choices of immigrants in Canada: a study among adult Ghanaian immigrants in Calgary, Alberta
Abstract
Many African immigrants moving to Canada tend to experience deterioration of health with time in their host country due to the influence of multiple factors on their health care decisions. The purpose of this study was to understand the problems and decision dynamics relevant to Ghanaian adult immigrants’ health care choices with the first five to ten years of arrival in Calgary, Alberta. Thematic analysis revealed that participants’ healthcare choices were influenced by their pre-and post-migration experiences, which informed their pathways to care. Participants provided insights about tensions among themselves and with health providers in making healthcare choices as they settled in a new environment. Further, there is a need to provide health education programs and a strong support system to facilitate better health choices and encourage health care service use among recent newcomers.
Notes
Key recommendations
Healthcare education for recent immigrants
Gaps identified
There is a need for healthcare education programs and a strong supportive system to facilitate better health choices and encourage health care service use for recent immigrants
Key findings
Healthcare choices are influenced by pre and post migration experiences; Participants reported experiencing racism and discrimination within the healthcare system, struggled with paperwork, and had work-related stressors that prevented them from accessing healthcare in a timely manner
Key populations
Ghanaian immigrants
Community organizations
Ghanaian Canadian Association of Calgary
Integration timeline
At what point during the integration process the study was conducted?
NA
Open-access – Yes
https://opus.uleth.ca/handle/10133/5435
Location