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Examining Health-Seeking Behavior among Diverse Ethnic Subgroups within Black Populations in the United States and Canada: A Cross-Sectional Study

Author

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  • Yordanos M. Tiruneh

    (School of Medicine, University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, TX 75708, USA
    Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Oluwatunmininu Anwoju

    (HCA Houston Healthcare, Kingwood, TX 77339, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Ariel C. Harrison

    (School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA)

  • Martha T. Garcia

    (School of Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA)

  • Shauna K. Elbers

    (School of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, University of Washington Bothell, Bothell, WA 98011, USA)

Abstract

The Black populations, often treated as ethnically homogenous, face a constant challenge in accessing and utilizing healthcare services. This study examines the intra-group differences in health-seeking behavior among diverse ethnic subgroups within Black communities. A cross-sectional analysis included 239 adults ≥18 years of age who self-identified as Black in the United States and Canada. Multiple logistic regression assessed the relationship between health-seeking behaviors and ethnic origin, controlling for selected social and health-related factors. The mean age of the participants was 38.6 years, 31% were male, and 20% were unemployed. Sixty-one percent reported a very good or excellent health status, and 59.7% were not receiving treatment for chronic conditions. Advancing age (OR = 1.05, CI: 1.01–1.09), female gender (OR = 3.09, CI: 1.47–6.47), and unemployment (OR = 3.46, CI: 1.35–8.90) were associated with favorable health-seeking behaviors. Compared with the participants with graduate degrees, individuals with high school diplomas or less (OR = 3.80, CI: 1.07–13.4) and bachelor’s degrees (OR = 3.57, CI: 1.3–9.23) were more inclined to have engaged in favorable health-seeking behavior compared to those with graduate degrees. Across the Black communities in our sample, irrespective of ethnic origins or country of birth, determinants of health-seeking behavior were age, gender, employment status, and educational attainment.

Suggested Citation

  • Yordanos M. Tiruneh & Oluwatunmininu Anwoju & Ariel C. Harrison & Martha T. Garcia & Shauna K. Elbers, 2024. "Examining Health-Seeking Behavior among Diverse Ethnic Subgroups within Black Populations in the United States and Canada: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(3), pages 1-12, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:3:p:368-:d:1359917
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. White-Means, Shelley I. & Osmani, Ahmad Reshad, 2018. "Affordable Care Act and Disparities in Health Services Utilization among Ethnic Minoritiy Breast Cancer Survivors: Evidence from Longitudinal Medical Expenditure Panel Surveys 2008-2015," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 15(9), pages 1-26.
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