Abstract
Background/Research Question: This paper explores how ethnic minorities in Hong Kong - a city with one of the most advanced health systems, and significant ageing challenge - engage with the health system and their communities to garner support and services to address gaps in their dementia literacy.
Methods: A qualitative research method was used. Semi-structured interview technique was used to elicit data from eight focus group discussions and two individual in-depth interviews with 21 elderly persons and 17 caregivers from Nepal, India, and Pakistan. A thematic analysis technique was employed to analyze the data.
Results: It was apparent that the dementia literacy of ethnic minorities in Hong Kong are embedded in a broader web and gradient of personal, interpersonal, and organizational conditions. We found that ethnic minorities in the city are significantly reliant on their experiences and social networks for information on the management of dementia. Also, some minority householders often sought instrumental and informational support from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the city to compensate for the limitations of their social networks in regard to knowledge on prevention and management of dementia. NGOs appeared as a bridge between formal [orthodox medicine] services and minority groups in the management of dementia cases. Public [and private orthodox health] services for dementia-related support were often invoked for “curative” purposes instead of preventive reasons.
Conclusions/Implications:
Dementia literacy of ethnic minorities in Hong Kong are tied to a labyrinth of formal and informal networks and organizations due to variations in their knowledge and preferences. Hence, collaborative efforts institutionalized through an integrated health system that recognizes the current diverse preferences and strategies of minority groups can expand knowledge on dementia and its management among the minority group.
Methods: A qualitative research method was used. Semi-structured interview technique was used to elicit data from eight focus group discussions and two individual in-depth interviews with 21 elderly persons and 17 caregivers from Nepal, India, and Pakistan. A thematic analysis technique was employed to analyze the data.
Results: It was apparent that the dementia literacy of ethnic minorities in Hong Kong are embedded in a broader web and gradient of personal, interpersonal, and organizational conditions. We found that ethnic minorities in the city are significantly reliant on their experiences and social networks for information on the management of dementia. Also, some minority householders often sought instrumental and informational support from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the city to compensate for the limitations of their social networks in regard to knowledge on prevention and management of dementia. NGOs appeared as a bridge between formal [orthodox medicine] services and minority groups in the management of dementia cases. Public [and private orthodox health] services for dementia-related support were often invoked for “curative” purposes instead of preventive reasons.
Conclusions/Implications:
Dementia literacy of ethnic minorities in Hong Kong are tied to a labyrinth of formal and informal networks and organizations due to variations in their knowledge and preferences. Hence, collaborative efforts institutionalized through an integrated health system that recognizes the current diverse preferences and strategies of minority groups can expand knowledge on dementia and its management among the minority group.
| Original language | English |
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| Publication status | Published - Oct 2020 |
| Event | 12th Annual Health Literacy Research Conference: Health Literacy in Action - Virtual Event Duration: 19 Oct 2020 → 21 Oct 2020 https://www.ahla-asia.org/service/13.htm |
Conference
| Conference | 12th Annual Health Literacy Research Conference |
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| Period | 19/10/20 → 21/10/20 |
| Internet address |