ii Barriers to testing and treatment for Chagas disease among Latino immigrants in Georgia Pubblico

Abstract

iv
Abstract
Barriers to testing and treatment for Chagas disease among Latino immigrants in Georgia
Background: Chagas is a parasitic disease primarily affecting Latin Americans, which is
increasing in the US due to the recent growth of the Latino immigrant population. The lack of
testing and treatment of Chagas disease in the US increases the risk of serious health
complications among infected immigrants and poses a risk of transmission from mother to child
or via blood transfusions.
Goal: The goal of this study is to identify the barriers to testing and treatment of Chagas disease
amongst Latino Immigrants in Georgia and to understand the process of seeking healthcare
interventions.
Methods: In this qualitative study, nine focus group discussions were conducted with male and
female Latino immigrants to understand their perceptions of Chagas disease and their process of
seeking healthcare if they had Chagas symptoms. Grounded theory was used to collect and
analyze the textual data to develop an inductive conceptual framework to explain the context and
process of seeking healthcare for Chagas amongst this at risk population.
Results: Participants were not aware of Chagas disease. When asked how they would seek care
for symptoms of Chagas disease, three distinct behaviors were identified: delaying treatment,
using traditional remedies, and using either mainstream or alternative health providers. Health
seeking behaviors and motivations differed for women and men, but the use of licensed medical
providers was seen as a last resort due to the cost of healthcare, loss of earnings while seeking
care and fear of diagnosis with fatal illness.
Discussion: The lack of awareness of Chagas disease amongst Latino immigrants in the US
suggests a strong need for targeted education about the disease. Providing free or low cost
services, mobile treatment clinics and education regarding Chagas disease is critical to increase
testing and treatment for Chagas disease.

Table of Contents

viii

Table of Contents
Contents
Acknowledgements .......................................................................................................................... iv
Abstract ........................................................................................................................................... vi
Table of Contents ........................................................................................................................... vii
List of Figures .................................................................................................................................. iix
Role in Thesis/Manuscript ................................................................................................................ ix
Review of the Literature ................................................................................................................... 1
Manuscript ...................................................................................................................................... 26
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 27
Methodology ................................................................................................................................... 32
Results ............................................................................................................................................. 40
Discussion ....................................................................................................................................... 56
Public Health Implications .............................................................................................................. 68
Appendix A: Focus Group Discussion Guide (Spanish) ................................................................ 70
Appendix B: Focus Group Discussion Guide (English) ................................................................. 73
Appendix C: Emory Internal Review Board Approval................................................................... 76

About this Master's Thesis

Rights statement

• Permission granted by the author to include this thesis or dissertation in this repository. All rights reserved by the author. Please contact the author for information regarding the reproduction and use of this thesis or dissertation.

School	Rollins School of Public Health
Department	Hubert Department of Global Health
Degree	MPH
Submission	Master's Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Health Sciences, Public Health
Parola chiave	Trypanasoma Access Barriers Immigrant Latino Chagas Hispanic
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Hennink, Monique, Emory University
Committee Members	Leon, Juan, Emory University
Partnering Agencies	Does not apply (no collaborating organization)

Ultima modifica

Primary PDF

Thumbnail	Title	Date Uploaded	Actions
	ii Barriers to testing and treatment for Chagas disease among Latino immigrants in Georgia ()	2018-08-28 13:59:42 -0400	Press to Select an action Download

Supplemental Files

Thumbnail	Title	Date Uploaded	Actions