An Examination of the Healthcare Access Experiences of African-Born Immigrants in Metropolitan Atlanta During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Elonge, Fese, Clark Atlanta University
2023-05
2020-2029
This study examines the potential and realized healthcare access experiences of African-born immigrants during the COVID-19 pandemic. Predisposing and enabling immigrant-specific factors, such as immigration status and country of origin as it relates to African-born immigrant healthcare access, were examined. Additionally, the macrostructural factors of current knowledge of policies and satisfaction with the U.S. healthcare system during the COVID-19 pandemic were explored. A concurrent triangulation mixed-method design was used, with a purposive sample of 98 African-born immigrants aged 45-64 participating in the survey and 18 participating in the focus groups. The quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and Spearman rank correlations. Survey findings revealed that participants had a high educational status (44.4%) and household incomes (40.8%), with higher odds of reported healthcare insurance coverage (84.4%). Participants indicated excellent or very good knowledge (74.0%) of the U.S. healthcare system and a high level of satisfaction (83%) with healthcare services. Additionally, participants (77.1%) reported having a usual source of care. Results show that participants' immigration status (visa type) did not significantly affect their access to a usual source of care (p = 0.793). Participants' country of origin did not significantly affect their knowledge of the U.S. healthcare system (p = 0.340) or their satisfaction with the U.S. healthcare system (????=0.686). A thematic analysis was used for the focus group data. The following themes were identified in the focus group: (a) barriers to healthcare services, (b) the influence of cultural health beliefs on healthcare behaviors, and (c) the need for social support for health management. Findings from this study indicate that although African-born immigrants have access to healthcare services, they noted several barriers to care, including delays in obtaining care and discrimination. This study provides new information on the healthcare access experiences and challenges faced by African-born immigrants during the COVID-19 pandemic. Community leaders and healthcare providers must collaborate to discuss community health concerns and provide education to ensure enhanced navigation of the U.S. healthcare system among African-born immigrants.
text
application/pdf
born digital
Atlanta University and Clark Atlanta University Theses and Dissertations
dissertation
Doctor Philosophy in Social Work (PhD)
Clark Atlanta University
Department of Social Work
White, Gerry L.
Georgia--Atlanta
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12322/cau.td:2023_elonge_fese
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-EDU/1.0/
