4107.0: Tuesday, November 14, 2000 - 12:30 PM

Abstract #8732

A Cross-Cultural Tuberculosis Guide for Health Providers in Immigrant API Communities

Doris Segal Matsunaga, MPH1, Seiji Yamada, MD, MPH2, and Andrea Macabeo, MPH1. (1) Kalihi-Palama Health Center, 915 N. King Street, Honolulu, HI 96701, 808-847-4111, pdmatsunaga@csi.com, (2) John A Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, 1960 East-West Road, Honolulu, HI 96822, 808-571-5813, N/A

Cultural beliefs influence patient behavior and adherence to tuberculosis treatment and prevention in Asian and Pacific Islander (API) communities. In order to assist U.S. health providers to improve communication with API patients regarding TB, a Cross-Cultural TB Guide was developed. The Guide is the result of collaboration by a national network of API community health centers, and was funded by the Centers for Disease Control. Focus groups were held in API communities across the US and these findings were then analyzed and interpreted by Cultural Advisory Panels. The resulting Cross-Cultural Guide discusses TB-related beliefs and practices of immigrants from the Philippines, Vietnam, China and Korea, and provides health providers with practical suggestions for improving communication, and consequently TB care, with these patients.

The presentation will briefly review the collaborative process by which the Cross-Cultural Guide was developed, as well as providing examples of the Guide's recommendations to health providers for improving TB care and communication with the aforementioned API groups.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the presentation, the participant in this session will be able to: 1. Describe the process by which the Cross-Cultural TB Guide was developed 2. Identify at least three strategies health providers can use to improve communication regarding TB with immigrants from the Philippines, Vietnam, China and/or Korea. 3. List at least 2 resources for further information on TB care in API communities

Keywords: Asian and Pacific Islander, Tuberculosis

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Kalihi-Palama Health Center Association of Asian and Pacific Community Organizations
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Employee of Kalihi-Palama Health Center

The 128th Annual Meeting of APHA