A Review of Health Beliefs and Their Influence on Asylum Seekers and Refugees’ Health-Seeking Behavior

Hamed Ahmadinia

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceedingConference contributionScientificpeer-review

    Abstract

    This article reviews health beliefs, and attitudes of asylum seekers and refugees, using an adapted framework of the Health Belief Model. The systematic review included 15 peer-reviewed records retrieved from CINAHL, Medline, PubMed, PsycINFO, and PsycArticles. Findings of this review show culture, tradition, fate or destiny, psychological factors, family, friends, and community were crucial influential factors in shaping asylum seekers, and refugees’ perceived barriers, fear, severity, and susceptibility in their health-seeking activities. In addition, knowledge and awareness related to the benefits of using modern healthcare services were motivators for different ethnic groups to take care of their personal health. Healthcare providers, educational programs, and support from family, friends, and community had noteworthy influence on triggering the health-related decision-making process among asylum seekers and refugees. This study offers practical implications for healthcare providers and public health community to devise culturally relevant strategies that will effectively target asylum seekers and refugees with diverse cultural, traditional and attitudinal beliefs about healthcare and health seeking activities. This is one of the descriptive review studies on asylum seekers and refugees’ health beliefs and their health-seeking behavior based on ethnicity grounds.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationWell-Being in the Information Society
    Subtitle of host publicationWhen the Mind Breaks - 9th International Conference, WIS 2022, Proceedings
    EditorsHongxiu Li, Chenglong Li, Maehed Ghorbanian Zolbin, Robert Krimmer, Jukka Kärkkäinen, Reima Suomi
    PublisherSpringer
    Pages161-178
    Volume1626
    ISBN (Print)978-3-031-14831-6
    Publication statusPublished - 18 Aug 2022
    MoE publication typeA4 Article in a conference publication
    EventWell-Being in the Information Society: When the Mind Breaks - University of Turku , Turku, Finland
    Duration: 25 Aug 202226 Aug 2022
    https://wis.fi/

    Publication series

    NameCommunications in Computer and Information Science
    Volume1626 CCIS
    ISSN (Print)1865-0929
    ISSN (Electronic)1865-0937

    Conference

    ConferenceWell-Being in the Information Society: When the Mind Breaks
    Abbreviated titleWIS 2022
    Country/TerritoryFinland
    CityTurku
    Period25/08/2226/08/22
    Internet address

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