Healthy-home Environment: Asthma Awareness for Refugees in South-central Kentucky

Public Health faculty and students at Western Kentucky University collaborated with the Housing Authority of Bowling Green to conduct a series of focus groups among selected refugee populations in Bowling Green, Kentucky. This entailed discussions with seven different low income ethnic group samples to identify potential risky environmental health practices. Focus group meetings occurred during the summer of 2009 among refugees from Burundi, Central America, Eastern Europe, Liberia, and Vietnam. Additionally, selected US-Whites and African-American homes were included for comparison. Each focus group consisted of 6-8 members. Participants were selected by convenience sampling and/or identified by the immigrant gatekeepers. The format introduced the purpose of the focus groups and required participants to respond to a standard series of questions patterned after theoretical constructs with regards to asthma awareness. When necessary, English interpreters were utilized. Burundi, Eastern Europeans, Central Americans, Liberia, Vietnamese, US-Whites, and African-Americans had varied perceptions to the different theoretical constructs. Most groups acknowledged the role of personal responsibility in asthma prevention and control. Susceptibility and severity indicators varied considerably among groups. Barriers to prevention largely focused on ignorance, poor maintenance practices, lack of resources and motivation. Cleanliness beliefs were similar across groups and cues to action were misunderstood or lacking. Preventive measures and control strategies are recommended for reducing exposures to environmental triggers of asthma. This study demonstrates the need for a culturally sensitive intervention designed to promote healthier breathing environments in low income and high risk populations.