A Qualitative Inquiry of Older Afghan Refugee Women’s Individual and Sociocultural Factors of Health and Health Care Experiences in the United States

Abstract

Introduction:Approximately 132,000 Afghans have resettled in the United States since the 1980s and are now aging. As older adults, sociocultural factors influence health and health-related behaviors. This study aimed to explore older Afghan refugee women’s perceptions of individual and sociocultural factors of health and health care experiences.Methods:A focused ethnography methodology was conducted with 27 semi-structured interviews with older Afghan refugee women, family members, and community key informants in Southern California. Recorded interviews were transcribed and analyzed using inductive thematic analysis.Results:Five themes were identified as key to health promotion in the post-migration setting: (a) health promotion through Islam, (b) the centrality of family, (c) ongoing stressors that impact health, (d) needing support in navigating health services, and (e) miscommunication leading to mistrust of health care providers.Discussion:Health interventions should consider social and cultural contexts and faith-based and family-centered approaches when addressing older Afghan refugee women’s long-term health and well-being.