Assignment task:
Literature Review: Understanding Healthcare Experiences of African Immigrant Mothers
The healthcare experiences of immigrant populations, particularly African immigrant mothers, present unique challenges within the United States healthcare system. This literature review aims to explore existing research on healthcare access, utilization, and experiences among African immigrant mothers, while also considering the role of healthcare nurses in addressing these challenges and promoting health equity.
Healthcare Access and Utilization Among Immigrant Populations: Research by Raghumathi and Raghumathi (2020) underscores the significance of healthcare access in determining the economic performance and overall well-being of a nation. In the context of the United States, improving population health and reducing financial burdens are essential components of achieving universal health coverage (Ameh et al., 2021). However, immigrants, particularly those from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, often face barriers to accessing healthcare services, leading to disparities in health outcomes (Pandey et al., 2021).
Impact of Migration on Healthcare Needs: The last quarter of the twentieth century witnessed a significant wave of voluntary migration from Africa to developed nations, including the United States (Emeka, 2016). Omenka et al. (2020) highlight the increasing immigrant population from African countries and emphasize the importance of managing healthcare services effectively to address the evolving needs of this population. Immigrants, including African immigrants, may experience health declines during resettlement phases, underscoring the need for accessible and culturally competent healthcare services (Giwa et al., 2020).
Healthcare Experiences of African Immigrant Mothers: The healthcare experiences of African immigrant mothers in the United States are shaped by various factors, including language barriers, cultural differences, and socioeconomic status (Nwadiuko, 2018). Emeka (2016) notes that undocumented and legal immigrant parents of young Americans face significant barriers to healthcare access, highlighting the importance of addressing these challenges to promote health equity.
Role of Healthcare Nurses: Healthcare nurses, including Certified Nurse Assistants (CNAs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), Registered Nurses (RNs), Nurse Practitioners (NPs), and Doctor of Nursing Profession (DNPs), play a critical role in addressing the healthcare needs of African immigrant mothers (Harvey & Wynn, 2022). These frontline healthcare providers serve as patient advocates and are often the first point of contact for immigrant patients, influencing their perceptions of the healthcare system (Derose et al., 2017).
Recommendations for Enhancing Healthcare Delivery: To improve healthcare delivery for African immigrant mothers, there is a need for proper education and training of healthcare providers in cultural competence and social determinants of health (Harvey & Wynn, 2022). Batista et al. (2018) emphasize the importance of primary healthcare models that address health equity for immigrant populations, highlighting the role of healthcare nurses in promoting access to care.
Conclusion: In conclusion, understanding the healthcare experiences of African immigrant mothers requires a comprehensive approach that addresses barriers to access, promotes cultural competence among healthcare providers, and advocates for health equity. Healthcare nurses play a crucial role in this process, serving as advocates and allies for immigrant patients and contributing to improved healthcare delivery and outcomes.
Theoretical Foundations
Penchansky and Thomas (1981) developed a theoretical framework known as the Healthcare Access Theory (HAT), which provides a comprehensive understanding of healthcare access. The theory consists of five major components: Acceptability, Affordability, Accessibility, Availability, and Accommodation. These components are crucial in analyzing and evaluating the experiences of African immigrant mothers with families as they access quality primary healthcare delivery in the United States, also considering the role of healthcare nurses in addressing these challenges and promoting health equity.