Refugees' Perceptions of Healthy Behaviors

This descriptive study explored refugees' knowledge and perceptions of nutrition, physical activity and smoking behaviors using the Health Promotion and Transtheoretical Models. A one-time interview used both closed- and open-ended questions. The sample included 31 adults from Bosnia, Iran, and...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of immigrant and minority health 2005-07, Vol.7 (3), p.185-193
Main Authors: Barnes, Donelle M., Almasy, Nina
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acculturation
Adult
Age Groups
Aged
Attitude to Health - ethnology
Behavior
Body Composition
Bosnia and Herzegovina - ethnology
Comparative Analysis
Cuba - ethnology
Cubans
Cultural Characteristics
Culture
Ethnic Groups
Ethnicity
Exercise
Feeding Behavior - ethnology
Female
Females
Health behavior
Health Behavior - ethnology
Health Education - methods
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Health promotion
Health Promotion - methods
Health Services
Hispanic Americans
Humans
Iran - ethnology
Male
Males
Mexican Americans
Middle Aged
MIDDLE EASTERN IMMIGRANTS
Minority & ethnic groups
Minority Groups
Nursing
Nutrition
Obesity
Perceptions
Refugees
Refugees - psychology
Researchers
Scientific Concepts
Self Efficacy
Slavic Languages
Smoking
Smoking - ethnology
Studies
Surveys and Questionnaires
United States
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Summary:This descriptive study explored refugees' knowledge and perceptions of nutrition, physical activity and smoking behaviors using the Health Promotion and Transtheoretical Models. A one-time interview used both closed- and open-ended questions. The sample included 31 adults from Bosnia, Iran, and Cuba. Refugees had some knowledge of a healthy diet and physical activity, and were aware of both benefits and barriers for health behaviors. They had a realistic perception of their weight (55% overweight), and none thought obesity was a positive characteristic. Changes in diet, physical activity and smoking since arrival in the US have been positive for some and negative for others. For all categories discussed, refugees were in the pre-contemplation stage of change. There is a need to study refugees' health behaviors over time after arrival. Health behavior interventions must be specific to ethnicity in order to accurately document progress and to be culturally appropriate.
ISSN:1096-4045
1557-1912
1573-3629
1557-1920
DOI:10.1007/s10903-005-3675-8