Title: Health literacy, acculturation, and the use of preventive oral health care by Somali refugees living in Massachusetts
Author: Geltman, Paul L. ; Adam, Jo Hunter; Penrose, Katherine L. ; Cochran, Jennifer; Rybin, Denis; Doros, Gheorghe; Henshaw, Michelle and Paasche-Orlow, Michael
Publication: Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, Vol. 16
Date: 2013
Description: This study investigates the impact of English language proficiency, health literacy and acculturation on access to and use of preventive dental health services among Somali refugees in Massachusetts. To explore the impact on Somali refugees, the authors employed a cross sectional survey and interviewed 439 Somalis who are 18 or above and had arrived in the US no more than 10 years ago. The authors hypothesized that a higher degree of acculturation and better English language skills would make utilization of dental health services more likely. The analysis indicates that a high acculturation level has a significant association with the use of preventive dental care.
Keywords: refugees, preventive dental care, acculturation, health literacy
Cataloged by: Selina Sikder / B. J. Perkins