Title: The provision of healthcare services for the Hmong women in the USA: a qualitative inquiry in the Alaskan context

Authors: Pang Houa Lor; Babu P. George

Addresses: Alaska Pacific University, 6936 Weimer Road, #2, Anchorage, Alaska 99502, USA ' Alaska Pacific University, 6936 Weimer Road, #2, Anchorage, Alaska 99502, USA

Abstract: We examine the struggles and needs for better healthcare services for the Hmong women migrated from China and living in Alaska, USA. The researchers identify three major concerns of the Hmong women living in Alaska regarding the US healthcare system: these include language barrier, lack of knowledge about the healthcare system, and cultural differences. Focus group method within the framework provided by the appreciative inquiry paradigm was employed to conduct the inquiry. It is expected that the findings of this study can be used to improve the provision of healthcare services for the Hmong women, especially those who live in the State of Alaska.

Keywords: Hmong women; healthcare promotion; language barriers; cultural differences; Alaska; USA; United States; females; healthcare services; China; culture.

DOI: 10.1504/IJQRS.2013.054365

International Journal of Qualitative Research in Services, 2013 Vol.1 No.1, pp.76 - 96

Received: 07 Feb 2013
Accepted: 09 Feb 2013
Published online: 05 Jul 2014 *

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