142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

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Perceptions of Family Health History Towards the Decision of Dating and Marriage among Chinese Americans: A Qualitative Study

142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition (November 15 - November 19, 2014): http://www.apha.org/events-and-meetings/annual
Monday, November 17, 2014

Qian Ji, M.S., C.H.E.S. , Department of Health & Kinesiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
Shixi Zhao, B.S. , Department of Health and Kinesiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
Mei Zhao, Ph.D. , Department of Public Health, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL
Divya Talwar, M.P.H. , Department of Health and Kinesiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
Lei-Shih Chen, Ph.D., P.T., C.H.E.S. , Department of Health and Kinesiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
Background:  Prior literature review has shown that the decision-making for dating and marriage are influenced by individuals’ perception of their family health history (FHH). However, for Chinese Americans (fastest growing population in US), who are embedded within a unique culture, these research implications are far from being conclusive. For evaluating the unique influence of FHH on an individuals’ perception towards dating and marriage, we conducted the first qualitative study that helps in understanding reproductive decision-making choices among this population.  

Methods: The study instrument contained semi-structured, hypothetical-scenario-based and opened-ended interview questions with 49 Chinese Americans, recruited from major Chinese-American communities in the Southern U.S. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. We used content analysis to code, categorize, and classify the interview data into research themes.

Results: Sixty-one percent of participants believed that adverse FHH would have a negative impact on their dating and marriage decisions. The two major concerns among Chinese American participants were questionable quality of life, and future diseased children with their affected partners/spouses. Moreover, fifty-five percent of our sample participants thought if they had unfavorable FHH, they would also be discriminated by potential partners/spouses with regards to dating and marriage prospects.  

Conclusions: Our findings support that discussion of adverse FHH might have an impact on Chinese Americans decisions to date and marry their future partners. Health education programs specifically targeted to the Chinese-Americans is urgently needed to reduce such culture-related disparities.  

Key words: Family Health History, Chinese-American, Genetics, Reproductive-decision

Learning Areas:

Advocacy for health and health education
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Diversity and culture
Ethics, professional and legal requirements

Learning Objectives:
Describe existing cultural barriers towards reproductive decision-making among Chinese Americans. Discuss the usage and impact of discussing adverse Family Health History among Chinese Americans.

Keyword(s): Genetics, Reproductive Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a second year PhD student at the Department of Health & Kinesiology, Texas A&M University. My research areas are health education, public health genomics, and cancer prevention and control. I have been taken genomic courses with Dr. Chen who is the Director of the Health Promotion and Genomics Lab under our department and involved in the research on family health history, reproductive-decision making, and Chinese Americans
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.

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