Child Health Needs of Rural Alabama Latino Families

Abstract

This article presents findings from a study that used focus group methodology to identify perceptions of Latino parents living in rural Alabama related to their children's health needs. Sixteen focus groups were held with a total of 89 parents (54 mothers and 35 fathers). The groups were led by native Spanish speakers, and group meetings were tape recorded. The main themes that emerged related to (a) what children need to be healthy, (b) common children's health problems, (c) what we do when children are ill, (d) barriers to receiving health care, (e) parenting issues and concerns, (f) experiences with children's schools, and (g) services needed. The findings can be used to guide the development of culturally appropriate, community-based programs to address the priority health needs of the growing Latino community in rural areas of the United States.

Minority mothers' healthcare beliefs, commonly used alternative healthcare practices, and potential complications for infants and children

“…The most common alternative healthcare practice was chamomile tea, boiled epazote leaves to treat fever, cough, upper respiratory tract infections (URIs), diarrhea, vomiting, and teething. These alternative healthcare practice medicines have also been reported by other researchers for similar uses (Harrison & Scarinci, ; Taveras et al., ). Other alternative healthcare practices documented by Crocetti et al () for treating fever include applying alcohol on the feet or other parts of the body; placing potato slices in axilla area; and onion, salt, and liquor on their feet.…”

“…Chamomile tea Infant Vomiting, allergic reaction Diarrhea, vomiting, colic, teething (Harrison & Scarinci, 2007;Tavares, Duroussea, & Flores, 2004) Child (Blumenthal, 2003) Fever (Aka* Artemisia absinthium) (Erdemir, 2010) Vomiting (Mabey, 1988) Ginger Child Gastrointestinal irritation (Murray, 2002) a Aka, also known as.…”

Hispanic Parental Beliefs and Practices in the Management of Common Childhood Illnesses: A Review of the Literature

“…Cough medicine and laxatives were also used for cough and stomach-related symptoms (Mendelson, 2003;Mikhail, 1994). Parents in four studies reported giving their children medications from Mexico (Foronda & Waite, 2008;Grigg et al, 2013;Harrison & Scarinci, 2007;Mikhail, 1994). Reasons for this practice included the high cost of medications in the United States and the availability of antibiotics over the counter in Latin American countries (Grigg et al, 2013;Harrison & Scarinci, 2007).…”

“…Parents in four studies reported giving their children medications from Mexico (Foronda & Waite, 2008;Grigg et al, 2013;Harrison & Scarinci, 2007;Mikhail, 1994). Reasons for this practice included the high cost of medications in the United States and the availability of antibiotics over the counter in Latin American countries (Grigg et al, 2013;Harrison & Scarinci, 2007). Three studies reported the use of aspirin for fever, with one noting 23% of mothers using aspirin (Foronda & Waite, 2008;Mikhail, 1994;Taveras et al, 2004).…”

“…Three studies reported the use of aspirin for fever, with one noting 23% of mothers using aspirin (Foronda & Waite, 2008;Mikhail, 1994;Taveras et al, 2004). Parents also gave medications bought from pharmacies in Mexican stores primarily because no appointment or permission was needed (Harrison & Scarinci, 2007). The use of azarcon (lead tetroxide) and greta (lead oxide) obtained from Mexico as a laxative was reported in one study (Mikhail, 1994).…”