Health Behaviors of Somali Families
Location
CSU 201
Start Date
22-4-2008 10:30 AM
End Date
22-4-2008 12:15 PM
Student's Major
School of Nursing
Student's College
Allied Health and Nursing
Mentor's Name
Norma Krumwiede
Mentor's Department
School of Nursing
Mentor's College
Allied Health and Nursing
Description
The purpose of this qualitative research study was to gain an understanding of how Somali individuals and families exhibit health promotion and disease prevention behaviors. The aim of the study was to discover what social processes families use to make decisions relating to the health of individual members. Since Somali people are very private, individual interviews were conducted to gain a deeper understanding of their health behaviors. The research questions focused on what behaviors were used to stay healthy while in Somalia, what health behaviors Somali are using here in the United States, and how Somali people exhibit health promotion and disease prevention behaviors. After completing an extensive literature review and obtaining IRB approval, the researcher conducted fifteen individual interviews. A demographic questionnaire and a nine question interview guide were utilized to obtain the research data. The interviews were tape recorded, transcribed, and analyzed for themes. Data analysis identified various health problems and health behaviors as described by the participants. Themes included increased stress related to roles and responsibilities, sad memories, and no health insurance. Overall findings were that Somali families use social support, practice religion by praying and reading the Quran or Holy Book of Islam, and eat healthy foods to maintain health and reduce the risk of illness. The nursing profession must be aware of the fatalistic worldview of the Somali people. Specifically, most Somali people believe that whenever they face a difficult time the problem has come from God and the individual must deal with the situation. This cultural belief can greatly impact health care.
Health Behaviors of Somali Families
CSU 201
The purpose of this qualitative research study was to gain an understanding of how Somali individuals and families exhibit health promotion and disease prevention behaviors. The aim of the study was to discover what social processes families use to make decisions relating to the health of individual members. Since Somali people are very private, individual interviews were conducted to gain a deeper understanding of their health behaviors. The research questions focused on what behaviors were used to stay healthy while in Somalia, what health behaviors Somali are using here in the United States, and how Somali people exhibit health promotion and disease prevention behaviors. After completing an extensive literature review and obtaining IRB approval, the researcher conducted fifteen individual interviews. A demographic questionnaire and a nine question interview guide were utilized to obtain the research data. The interviews were tape recorded, transcribed, and analyzed for themes. Data analysis identified various health problems and health behaviors as described by the participants. Themes included increased stress related to roles and responsibilities, sad memories, and no health insurance. Overall findings were that Somali families use social support, practice religion by praying and reading the Quran or Holy Book of Islam, and eat healthy foods to maintain health and reduce the risk of illness. The nursing profession must be aware of the fatalistic worldview of the Somali people. Specifically, most Somali people believe that whenever they face a difficult time the problem has come from God and the individual must deal with the situation. This cultural belief can greatly impact health care.
Recommended Citation
Salim, Amina. "Health Behaviors of Somali Families." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 22, 2008.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2008/oral-session-12/5
