Barriers to testing and treatment for Chagas disease among Latino immigrants in Georgia

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Rebecca M. Minneman, Emory University; Monique M. Hennink, Emory University; Andrea Nicholls, Emory University; Sahar S. Salek, Emory University; Francisco S. Palomeque, Emory University; Amina Khawja, Emory University; Lauren C. Albor, Emory University; Chester C. Pennock, Emory University; Juan Leon, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2012-12-30
• Publisher: Hindawi Publishing Corporation
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2012 Rebecca M. Minneman et al.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/295034
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Journal of Parasitology Research
• ISSN: 2090-0023
• Volume: 2012
• Start Page: 295034
• End Page: 295034
• Grant/Funding Information: This work was also partially supported by grant 1K01AI087724-01 from the NIAID at the NIH (to J. S. Leon), Grant 2010–85212-20608 from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (to J. S. Leon), and a grant from the Emory University Global Health Institute (to J. S. Leon, R. M. Minneman, C. C. Pennock, and S. I.).; The authors' also acknowledge financial support from the Emory University Scholarly Inquiry and Research at Emory Program and Summer Undergraduate Research Program at Emory (to L. C. Albor.).; This work was supported by Grant 1086 from the Healthcare Georgia Foundation.
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Epidemiology; Health Sciences, Public Health

Abstract

Background. The lack of testing and treatment of Chagas disease (CD), caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, amongst infected immigrants in the USA increases the risk of serious health complications and transmission (congenital or via blood transfusions). Goal. Our goal was to identify the barriers to testing and treatment of CD and understand the process of seeking healthcare amongst Latino immigrants in Georgia. Methods. In this qualitative study, eleven focus group discussions were conducted with 82 Latino immigrants, including migrant farm workers. Grounded theory was used to collect and analyze the data to develop an inductive conceptual framework to explain the context and process of seeking healthcare for CD amongst this at-risk population. Results. Participants were not aware of CD. Three healthcare seeking behaviors were identified: delaying treatment, using traditional remedies, and using either mainstream or alternative health providers. Behaviors and motivations differed by gender, and the use of licensed medical providers was considered a last resort due to the cost of healthcare, loss of earnings while seeking care, and fear of diagnosis with fatal illness. Discussion. Providing free or low cost services, mobile clinics, and education regarding CD is critical to increase testing and treatment of CD in the US.