ILLNESS BEHAVIOR AND HELP-SEEKING BEHAVIOR AMONG ARAB-AMERICANS (HEALTH BELIEFS, EXPLANATORY-MODELS).
Contributors: University of California, San Francisco.
Published: 1984
Number of pages: 241
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: This retrospective study of 102 Arab-Americans seeking health care at two large urban hospitals was conducted to determine their illness and help-seeking behaviors. The conceptual framework was derived from the health belief model and Kleinman's explanatory model. Data were collected in Arabic through interviewing and administering the Cornell Medical Index, Koos' List of Symptoms, and a demographic data questionnaire.

The main complaints of the study subjects were pain in chest, stomach, shoulder, and back. Pain as described by metaphor and analogy. The subjects identified chest pain, blood in urine, and lump in breast as needing immediate medical attention. Injuries, cold weather, weather changes, and physical and mental stress were believed to be causes of disease; illness was viewed as interfering with social and work activities.

Arab-Americans reproted more symptoms related to the digestive, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems. They were hypersensitive and had feelings of inadequacy. Age (r = .43, p < .001), level of education (r = -31, p < .01), type of occupation (F = 4.34, p < .001), and country of origin (F = 3.09, p < .05) demonstrated significant relationships with CMI (A-L) scores.

Sixty-three (63.7%) (Group I) sought lay help (spouses, parents, and children) and practiced home remedies before seeking professional health care. The rest sought professional help directly. Occupation was found to affect help-seeking behavior; major professionals tended to seek professional help directly (X('2) = 14.39, p = .04). However, CMI (A-L) score was the only variable discriminating between lay and professional help-seekers (F = 6.04, p < .05).
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 45-12, Section: B, page: 3774.

Thesis (D.N.S.)--UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO, 1984.

School code: 0034.
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