Factors related to privacy of Somali refugees in health care

Abstract

Background: Privacy is one of the key principles in health care and requires understanding of the cultural aspects of patients’ privacy. In Western cultures privacy is focused on the individual, however, in some non-Western cultures, privacy is linked to the collectivism of the community or religion. Objectives: The objective of this study is to describe the factors related to the realisation of privacy of Somali refugees in health care by describing the factors related to the patient, healthcare professional and interpreter. Research design: The data were collected from Somali refugees (N = 29) using a qualitative questionnaire and were analysed by deductive content analysis based on factors related to the patient, healthcare professional and interpreter. Ethical consideration: Ethical approval was obtained from the University of Turku, and research permissions were obtained from all participating institutions. Findings: Factors related to the patient were as follows: privacy was realised when the patient had self-determination; was able to act according to Somali culture; had knowledge and understanding of treatment; and trusted the healthcare professional. Factors related to the healthcare professional were as follows: the healthcare professional was expected to be of the same gender as the patient, act professionally, focus on the health issues, and to have knowledge and understanding of the Somali culture. Factors related to the interpreter were as follows: the presence and Somali background of the interpreter decreased privacy; the interpreter was expected to be of the same gender as the patient; to have competence and to behave professionally. Discussion: Gender congruence, professionalism and caring attitude and common understanding between the Somali patient and Finnish provider increase the privacy of Somali patients. Conclusion: Somali patients’ privacy can be improved by increasing healthcare professionals’ understanding of Somali culture, acknowledging the importance of gender concordance in relation to healthcare professionals and interpreters, and the effect of the presence of the interpreter on patients’ privacy.

Assessment of nurses’ respect for patient privacy by patients and nurses: A comparative study

“…Besides, it can also be thought that single individuals expect more safeguarding than those who are married. Supporting the findings of the study, Eklöf et al (2020) stated in their study with Somali Muslim refugees in Finland that privacy was related to the cultures and religions of societies, and that it was important to protect the privacy of the individual and respect religion and society. The same study found that Somalian Muslim refugee women preferred female healthcare workers during physical examination and information sharing for their privacy, and that polite, respectful and helpful behaviour improved the perception of privacy (Eklöf et al, 2020).…”

“…In some international studies, patients believed that their privacy was not adequately protected or was even violated (Roos et al, 2020; Eklöf et al, 2020; Nayeri & Aghajani, 2010). In their study with older patients, Hajbaghery and Zehtabchi (2014) found that the privacy of the patients was not respected for 15.2% of the patients and respected at a moderate level for 68.5%.…”

Harambee! 2.0: The Impact of HIV-Related and Intersectional Stigmas on HIV Testing Behaviors Among African Immigrant Communities in Seattle, Washington

“…For example, gender differences in healthcare-seeking behaviors were more commonly noted in the Ethiopian and Eritrean communities, while lack of trust in interpreters arose more often in the Somali community. Concerns about confidentiality of interpretation services have been documented before [ 45 , 46 ], and our participants and community partners reported known incidents of translators, specifically in the Somali community, having a history of unreliability when it comes to adhering to patient confidentiality rules. Such behaviors further erode trust in the U.S. healthcare system among immigrant communities.…”

Meeting the needs of the patient with non‐English language preference in the hospital setting

“…Finally, there may be a perceived threat to confidentiality in a community in which the patient or family knows the interpreter outside of the healthcare setting. 37…”

“…They also may worry unnecessarily about incurring costs related to interpreter use. Finally, there may be a perceived threat to confidentiality in a community in which the patient or family knows the interpreter outside of the healthcare setting 37 …”