African Migrants in Oregon: Healthcare Preferences and the Importance of Worldviews

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Date

2017-09-27

Authors

Bikele, Frieda

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Volume Title

Publisher

University of Oregon

Abstract

Oregon, especially the Portland metro area, has become an important relocation destination for migrants, including many from Africa (Curry, and Al 2010). According to data from the Immigrants and Refugees Community (2011) in Portland, there are more than 15,000 African migrants, and they are the fourth largest immigrant community in the area, which includes representations from over 28 African countries. This study is about migrant’ worldviews and healthcare preferences in Oregon. My study centers on African migrant’s health experiences within a broader context of how sending countries worldviews and health care system informs attitudes and healthcare preferences in Oregon. Focus groups, life histories and survey data were collected over a period of 18 months from participants of 12 countries living in Eugene and Portland, Oregon. The findings indicate that migrants worldviews results from prior socialization processes that shapes Africans and guides their interactions and healthcare preferences in the US healthcare system.

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Keywords

Culture and Health, Immigrants Health

Citation