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299875
“He Beat You in the Blood”: Knowledge and Beliefs about the Transmission of Traits among Latinos from Mexico and Central America
Sunday, November 16, 2014
Joanne Sandberg, Ph.D.
,
Department of Family & Community Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
Guadalupe Rodriguez, MS
,
Department of Family and Community Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
Sara A. Quandt, PhD
,
Division of Public Health Sciences, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
Timothy Howard, PhD
,
Center for Genomics and Personalized Medicine Research, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
Thomas A. Arcury, PhD
,
Department of Family and Community Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
Little is known about how Latinos who live in the U.S. but who were born in Mexico and Central America (MCA) think and talk about key genetic concepts and the transmission of traits. Knowledge about gene-environment interaction may be particularly relevant to Latinos from MCA, as many are at risk of occupational and residential toxicant exposure. The objective of this analysis is to delineate the beliefs and knowledge that Latinos from MCA have about genetics, genomics, and the general transmission of traits from parents to children. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 adult Latinos (8 mean and 8 women) living in North Carolina who were born in MCA. Interviews addressed participants’ beliefs and knowledge about transmission of traits and a few genetic terms. The interview guide did not assume that participants were familiar about basic genetic terms or concepts. Interview transcripts were systematically analyzed using qualitative software.The concept of “blood” was central to many participants’ discussions about transmission of traits, including physical traits and shared illnesses. “Blood” was understood metaphorically by some, literally by others. Participants indicated that children receive traits from the parent who has “stronger” blood. Many participants had difficulty articulating what genes are and how they are involved in the transmission of traits. Some participants integrated accurate knowledge about the transmission of traits with unique beliefs. Culturally and linguistically appropriate educational programs may enable Latinos to understand advances in genetics and genomics and use that knowledge to improve health behavior and make informed health decisions.
Learning Areas:
Communication and informatics
Diversity and culture
Learning Objectives:
Discuss the diverse beliefs and knowledge that Latino men and women who were born in Mexico and Central America have about genetics, genomics, and the transmission of traits between parents and children more generally.
Identify two distinct ways that Latino men and women from Mexico and Central America conceptualize “blood” to explain how traits are transmitted within families, and provide examples to illustrate your points.
Keyword(s): Latinos, Genetics
Presenting author's disclosure statement:Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a Ph.D. trained sociologist who conducts research on health beliefs and behaviors of Latino immigrants. I have published articles that examine health issues among Latino immigrants.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines,
and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed
in my presentation.
