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Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Published in: Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health 1/2015

01-02-2015 | Original Paper

“When you walk in the rain, you get wet”: A Qualitative Study of Ghanaian Immigrants’ Perspective on the Epidemiological Paradox

Authors: Sue A. Kaplan, Ramatu Ahmed, Adam Musah

Published in: Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health | Issue 1/2015

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Abstract

This study sought to understand the perceptions of Ghanaian immigrants of the health status and health trajectory of their community. We conducted focus groups and interviews with 63 primarily Ghanaian immigrants living in New York City. Nearly all participants observed that Ghanaians are generally healthy when they arrive in the US, but that their health declines over time. Participants identified four causes of this perceived deterioration: changes in health behaviors, increased stress, environmental exposures, and barriers to health care. Participants see themselves as being at risk for many health problems resulting from changes in lifestyle that follow immigration. Although some vulnerabilities are unique to their experience as immigrants, many of the risk factors they described are the same as those that affect other residents in the communities in which they live.
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Metadata
Title
“When you walk in the rain, you get wet”: A Qualitative Study of Ghanaian Immigrants’ Perspective on the Epidemiological Paradox
Authors
Sue A. Kaplan
Ramatu Ahmed
Adam Musah
Publication date
01-02-2015
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health / Issue 1/2015
Print ISSN: 1557-1912
Electronic ISSN: 1557-1920
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-013-9873-x

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