Health-Related Beliefs, Practices, and Experiences of Migrant Dominicans in the Northeastern United States

Abstract

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to describe cultural health beliefs, practices, and experiences with professional health care in the United States by migrants from the Dominican Republic because their practices are largely unknown to professional providers. Method: A qualitative descriptive design was used, guided by Leininger’s culture care theory and four-phase analysis method with a convenience sample of 15 self-identified migrant Dominican adults in three interpreter-assisted focus groups, in a familiar apartment. Results: The following four themes emerged: Stress affects health and well-being, family support and faith in God are essential, use of folk care and professional care to treat illness and maintain health, and access to care, cost, communication and expressions of caring practices affect perceptions about the quality of professional care. Discussion: Results informed development of specific strategies to provide culturally responsive care and risk-reduction interventions that promote health and improve quality of care in the Dominican community.