Barriers to Testing and Treatment for Chagas Disease among Latino Immigrants in Georgia
Background. The lack of testing and treatment of Chagas disease (CD), caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, amongst infected immigrants in the USA increases the risk of serious health complications and transmission (congenital or via blood transfusions). Goal. Our goal was to identify the barriers to testing...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2012-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Parasitology Research |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/295034 |
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| _version_ | 1832567224473223168 |
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| author | Rebecca M. Minneman Monique M. Hennink Andrea Nicholls Sahar S. Salek Francisco S. Palomeque Amina Khawja Lauren C. Albor Chester C. Pennock Juan S. Leon |
| author_facet | Rebecca M. Minneman Monique M. Hennink Andrea Nicholls Sahar S. Salek Francisco S. Palomeque Amina Khawja Lauren C. Albor Chester C. Pennock Juan S. Leon |
| author_sort | Rebecca M. Minneman |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background. The lack of testing and treatment of Chagas disease (CD), caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, amongst infected immigrants in the USA increases the risk of serious health complications and transmission (congenital or via blood transfusions). Goal. Our goal was to identify the barriers to testing and treatment of CD and understand the process of seeking healthcare amongst Latino immigrants in Georgia. Methods. In this qualitative study, eleven focus group discussions were conducted with 82 Latino immigrants, including migrant farm workers. Grounded theory was used to collect and analyze the data to develop an inductive conceptual framework to explain the context and process of seeking healthcare for CD amongst this at-risk population. Results. Participants were not aware of CD. Three healthcare seeking behaviors were identified: delaying treatment, using traditional remedies, and using either mainstream or alternative health providers. Behaviors and motivations differed by gender, and the use of licensed medical providers was considered a last resort due to the cost of healthcare, loss of earnings while seeking care, and fear of diagnosis with fatal illness. Discussion. Providing free or low cost services, mobile clinics, and education regarding CD is critical to increase testing and treatment of CD in the US. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-3a305158234b43bc862b462ef431e85b |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2090-0023 2090-0031 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2012-01-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Parasitology Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-3a305158234b43bc862b462ef431e85b2025-02-03T01:02:05ZengWileyJournal of Parasitology Research2090-00232090-00312012-01-01201210.1155/2012/295034295034Barriers to Testing and Treatment for Chagas Disease among Latino Immigrants in GeorgiaRebecca M. Minneman0Monique M. Hennink1Andrea Nicholls2Sahar S. Salek3Francisco S. Palomeque4Amina Khawja5Lauren C. Albor6Chester C. Pennock7Juan S. Leon8Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USARollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USARollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USARollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USARollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USARollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USAEmory College, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USAEmory College, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USARollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USABackground. The lack of testing and treatment of Chagas disease (CD), caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, amongst infected immigrants in the USA increases the risk of serious health complications and transmission (congenital or via blood transfusions). Goal. Our goal was to identify the barriers to testing and treatment of CD and understand the process of seeking healthcare amongst Latino immigrants in Georgia. Methods. In this qualitative study, eleven focus group discussions were conducted with 82 Latino immigrants, including migrant farm workers. Grounded theory was used to collect and analyze the data to develop an inductive conceptual framework to explain the context and process of seeking healthcare for CD amongst this at-risk population. Results. Participants were not aware of CD. Three healthcare seeking behaviors were identified: delaying treatment, using traditional remedies, and using either mainstream or alternative health providers. Behaviors and motivations differed by gender, and the use of licensed medical providers was considered a last resort due to the cost of healthcare, loss of earnings while seeking care, and fear of diagnosis with fatal illness. Discussion. Providing free or low cost services, mobile clinics, and education regarding CD is critical to increase testing and treatment of CD in the US.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/295034 |
| spellingShingle | Rebecca M. Minneman Monique M. Hennink Andrea Nicholls Sahar S. Salek Francisco S. Palomeque Amina Khawja Lauren C. Albor Chester C. Pennock Juan S. Leon Barriers to Testing and Treatment for Chagas Disease among Latino Immigrants in Georgia Journal of Parasitology Research |
| title | Barriers to Testing and Treatment for Chagas Disease among Latino Immigrants in Georgia |
| title_full | Barriers to Testing and Treatment for Chagas Disease among Latino Immigrants in Georgia |
| title_fullStr | Barriers to Testing and Treatment for Chagas Disease among Latino Immigrants in Georgia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Barriers to Testing and Treatment for Chagas Disease among Latino Immigrants in Georgia |
| title_short | Barriers to Testing and Treatment for Chagas Disease among Latino Immigrants in Georgia |
| title_sort | barriers to testing and treatment for chagas disease among latino immigrants in georgia |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/295034 |
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