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Impact of Culture on Use of Western Health Services by Older South Asian Canadians

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Abstract

Objective

South Asians are the largest visible minority group in Canada, but little research is available, particularly on the older adults and their use of Western health services. This study examined the effects of the predisposing, enabling, need, and cultural factors on the use of Western health services by older South Asian immigrants.

Method

Using a modified version of the Andersen-Newman service utilization model, the specific effects of cultural factors on use of Western health services were examined. A random sample of 220 South Asians 55 years and older were interviewed in Calgary using a structured telephone survey.

Results

Hierarchical regression analysis showed that the cultural factors were as important as the need factors in explaining the proportion of variance in the use of Western health services. Being a Hindu, immigrated to Canada for a longer period of time, fewer access barriers related to cultural incompatibility, a lower level of agreement with traditional South Asian health beliefs, and a stronger South Asian ethnic identity were significantly related to the use of more types of Western health services.

Conclusions

The findings signify the importance of developing strategies for providing culturally competent health promotion, prevention, and intervention, and health care services.

Résumé

Objectif

Les Asiatiques du Sud forment le plus grand groupe de minorités visibles au Canada, mais il y a peu d’études à leur sujet, surtout sur les personnes âgées et leur utilisation des services de santé occidentaux. Nous avons examiné les effets des facteurs prédisposants et facilitants, des facteurs de besoin et des facteurs culturels sur l’utilisation des services de santé occidentaux par les immigrants âgés originaires d’Asie du Sud.

Méthode

À l’aide d’une version modifiée du modèle Andersen-Newman d’utilisation des services, nous avons examiné les effets spécifiques des facteurs culturels sur l’utilisation des services de santé occidentaux. Nous avons mené une enquête téléphonique structurée auprès d’un échantillon aléatoire de 220 Asiatiques du Sud âgés de 55 ans à Calgary.

Résultats

Une analyse de régression hiérarchique a montré que les facteurs culturels étaient aussi importants que les facteurs de besoin pour expliquer la variance dans l’utilisation des services de santé occidentaux. L’utilisation d’un plus vaste éventail de services de santé occidentaux était significativement liée: à l’origine hindoue; au fait d’avoir immigré au Canada depuis plus longtemps; à un plus petit nombre d’obstacles à l’accès liés aux incompatibilités culturelles; à une plus faible acceptation des croyances traditionnelles sud-asiatiques sur la santé; et une plus forte identité ethnique sud-asiatique.

Conclusion

Ces constatations soulignent l’importance d’élaborer des stratégies pour offrir des services culturellement compétents en matière de santé, de promotion de la santé, de prévention et d’intervention.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Addiction and Mental Health, Alberta Health Services, 5th Floor, 9942-108 Street, Edmonton, AB, T5K 2J5, Canada

    Shireen Surood PhD (Supervisor)

  2. Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada

    Daniel W. L. Lai PhD, RSW (Professor & Associate Dean (Research & Partnerships)

Authors
  1. Shireen Surood PhD
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  2. Daniel W. L. Lai PhD, RSW
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Shireen Surood PhD.

Additional information

Acknowledgements: Funding for this study was provided by Alberta Heritage Foundation for Mental Research (AHFMR).

Conflict of Interest: None to declare.

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Surood, S., Lai, D.W.L. Impact of Culture on Use of Western Health Services by Older South Asian Canadians. Can J Public Health 101, 176–180 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03404367

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03404367

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