Selected Cultural, Organizational, and Economic Factors Related to Prenatal Care Utilization by Middle-Income Hispanic Women (Indiana)
Tajalli, Irene Queiro
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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/71485
Description
Title
Selected Cultural, Organizational, and Economic Factors Related to Prenatal Care Utilization by Middle-Income Hispanic Women (Indiana)
Author(s)
Tajalli, Irene Queiro
Issue Date
1984
Department of Study
Social Work
Discipline
Social Work
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
Social Work
Abstract
Studies on health care utilization by Hispanics, which have been conducted during the past three decades, show that Hispanics do not fully utilize health resources, particularly preventive services. This research tries to clarify the extent to which selected cultural, organizational, and economic factors are related to the utilization of health care services of Hispanics. More specifically, the utilization of prenatal care services is examined.
A survey design was used to gather prenatal care service utilization data on Hispanic women, living in Marion County, Indiana, who gave birth during a one year period from July, 1981 to July, 1982. Interviews were conducted over the phone using a guided questionnaire. The total population was composed of 70 respondents, representative of middle-income, educated Hispanics living in an urban area. The data indicated that the majority of respondents started their prenatal visits in the first trimester of their pregnancy and continued their care according to recommended prenatal visit schedules. The respondents did not make use of folk healers. Familism did not have a negative impact on prenatal care utilization. The results challenge the, so familiar, negative stereotypes about the Hispanic culture and its impact on utilization. Respondents who perceived discrimination did not underutilize the services. Respondents' perception of difficulty to get appointments with doctors or clinics was slightly negatively related to the use of prenatal care services. A significant number of respondents would like to be seen by a Hispanic doctor/nurse in the future. Finally, a high level of insurance health coverage was found and respondents typically did not perceive prenatal care as very expensive. A major implication of this study is that the Hispanic client should be assessed individually, according to her unique characteristics, rather than passing judgement based on broad generalizations. In cases related to underutilization, socio-economic factors should be taken into consideration, rather than solely blaming the culture. This study's findings demonstrated that Hispanics seek preventive health care during pregnancy. Therefore, these services should be available at the local level.
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