Health Susceptibility Perceptions among Iranian, Afghan, and Tajik minorities in three Nordic countries

Objective: This research delves into the perceptions of health susceptibility among Iranian, Afghan, and Tajik individuals hailing from asylum-seeking or refused asylum-seeking backgrounds currently residing in Finland, Norway, and Sweden.
Design/Methodology/Approach: Semi-structured interviews were conducted between May and October 2022 involving a sample size of 27 participants. An adapted framework based on the Health Belief Model along with previous studies served as a guide for formulating interview questions.
Findings: Notably influenced by cultural background, religious beliefs, psychological states, and past traumatic experiences during migration journeys - before arrival in these countries till settling down - subjects' perception of health concerns emerged significantly shaped. Additionally impacting perspectives were social standing, occupational status, personal/family medical history, lifestyle choices, and dietary preferences nurtured over time, leading to varying degrees of influence upon individuals’ interpretation about their own wellness or illness.
Originality: This investigation represents one among few pioneering initiatives assessing perceptions regarding both physical and mental wellbeing within minority groups under examination across Nordic nations; unveiling complexities arising through intersecting factors like individual attributes mingling intricately with socio-cultural environments, thereby forming unique viewpoints towards healthcare belief systems prevalent amongst such population segments.
Practical Implications: Insights garnered throughout our analysis hold paramount significance when it comes to developing targeted strategies catering culturally-sensitive healthcare provisions, alongside framing policies better aligned with primary care services tailored explicitly around singular demands posed by these specific communities dwelling within respective territories.