Health Perceptions and Practices of Burmese Refugee Families: A Participatory Mixed Methods Study

Abstract

Health care providers in the United States often view the lifestyle choices made by refugees from Burma through the lenses of America’s norms for healthy living. Although health care providers often recognize the role that language plays in the refugees’ ability to communicate their health care needs, they often ignore the role of culture. This lack of understanding of cultural difference contributes to the marginalization of refugees in the health care system. Using a transformative mixed methods methodology, this study employed the East Asian Acculturation Measure (EAAM) to identify participants’ perceived level of acculturation within health care contexts. The researchers then engaged participants in a qualitative exploration of their lifestyle choices using a Photo voice protocol. These two methods, girded by critical and ecological theories, elucidate the participants’ counter- stories that provide insight into how the refugees are negotiating culturally relevant lifestyle choices in their new American contexts.