Sammendrag
Background: A pessimistic view of the impact of Covid-19 on immigrants has generated
an interest in exploring the role of socio-economic and cultural factors on excess
infection, hospitalization and death among immigrants. Nowhere in the world is such
interest more palpable than in Western countries, including Norway. An expanding
amount of literature has demonstrated that preexisting socio-economic inequalities
have affected Covid-19 control programs through a disruption of immigrants’ uptake
to preventive measures. Nonetheless, until very recently, no qualitative research has
been conducted to address the impact of socio-economic and socio-cultural factors
on immigrants’ uptake on preventive measures of Covid-19 in Norway.
Methods: An interview-based qualitative study consisting of 88 participants (49 women
and 39 men) from 10 immigrant ethnic groups were carried out. Participants were
recruited through purposive sampling and snowballing. In-depth interviews were held
through telephone or online for those who have experience in the use of zoom or teams.
Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.
Results: We found that participants’ attitudes toward the pandemic in general, andmore
specifically their adherence to preventive measures, have increased over time. However,
the number of barriers that hinder immigrants fromadhering to preventivemeasures were
identified and classified more broadly into three main subthemes: (1) socio-economic
barriers; (2) socio-cultural barriers, and (3) other barriers. Socio-economic barriers
include overcrowded households, working in first-line jobs, education and language.
Socio-cultural barriers include collectivist culture, religious fatalism and risk perception
toward the pandemic.
Conclusion: To reduce the health inequality that arises fromovercrowded housing, there
is a need for a long-term strategy to help improve the housing situation of low-income
immigrant families that live in overcrowded households. In addition, increasing health
literacy and more generally, the integration of immigrants, may also reduce the effect of
socio-cultural factors on an immigrant’s uptake of preventive measures.
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