Healthcare choices of Ghanian immigrants in Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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’ healthcare choices with the first five to ten years of arrival in Calgary, Alberta. This research used a qualitative naturalistic approach with ten Ghanaian adult immigrants. 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 supportive system to facilitate better health choices and encourage health care service use among recent newcomers.
Notes
Open access: No
Location: Calgary, AB
Key populations: Ghanian immigrants who now live in Calgary, AB
Integration timeline: the first 5-10 years post-arrival
Community organizations: n/a
Key findings:
The central theme of the findings was, “Not the land of milk and honey.” Themes and sub-themes were:
1) Looking for a lifeline
a) Leaning on family, friends and community
b) Turning to God
c) Self-medicating stress
2) How do I fit in here?
a) Shifting gender expectations and norms
b) Technological connection and disconnection
c) Experiencing racism and discrimination in their new home
d) Economic marginalization
e) Transportation barriers
3) Navigating a new health system
a) Learning new spaces
4) Intersecting pathways to healthcare choices
a) Traditional/cultural pathways
b) Western pathways
c) Spiritual pathways
Future research / gaps identified:
Qualitative findings from a small sample of participants, specifically to the Calgary context, cannot be generalized to the broader community of Ghanian immigrants.
Key recommendations: n/a