title: Hispanic cultural norms for health-seeking behaviors in the face of symptoms.
abstract: This study examines factors that contribute to the delayed use of medical care among Hispanics when chronic disease-related symptoms (warning signs) occur. As an adjunct to a larger project funded by the National Cancer Institute, this study accessed a population of primarily Hispanic, mostly male employees at public work sites in two Arizona counties. Through focus groups and a survey of employees, a model describing the factors underlying health care use was tested. Seriousness of symptoms has the most effect on visits to doctor, with more serious symptoms leading to prompter visits. Faith in God and seriousness of symptoms both are related to the search for a doctor one can trust. Also, a cluster of variables describing past bad experiences, practical barriers, and emotional avoidance are related to the desire to get advice or medical help from someone who is close; these influence the search for a trusted doctor, which in turn leads to prompter visits to doctor.
authors.affiliation: Arizona Cancer Center, Phoenix 85006, USA. larkeyl@uswest.net
authors.forename: L K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Larkey
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Hecht
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Alatorre
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001130:Arizona; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology / Q000628:therapy; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000628:therapy*; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D003657:Decision Making; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology / Q000628:therapy; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology*; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D010820:Physicians / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013997:Time Factors