Assessing the Health Needs of Muslim Women in the Raleigh/Durham Area

Background: The United States population is becoming increasingly diverse, with racial and ethnic minorities projected to represent ahnost half of the U.S. population by the year 2050. There is compelling evidence that racial and ethnic minorities have experienced health care disparities in the past. The United States government, along with other health care stakeholders, is increasing efforts to evaluate the etiology of these disparities and create interventions to address them. One important initiative to address health care disparities faced by racial and ethnic minorities is to improve cultural competency in order to help health care providers serve a diverse population. Muslims in America represent the fastest growing religious minority population. Given that religious data is not tracked by the Census, the exact numbers of Muslims living in America, or North Carolina in particular, cannot be obtained. Muslim American women may represent an especially vulnerable population given the double minority status they hold. Methods: Little research has been conducted on the health needs of Muslim American women. In order to examine the barriers Muslim women experience in obtaining culturally appropriate health care, a qualitative needs assessment was conducted with local Muslim women in the Raleigh/Durham area. Three focus groups were conducted in the span of two months. This data, which was collected at Duke University, provide the basis for a secondary analysis carried out here. Transcripts from the focus groups were reviewed and coded by independent reviewers. These coded data were then compared for similar themes. Results/Conclusions: The major themes can be divided into two categories: health and well-being concerns and priority services of an ideal health center. The majority of focus group discussion centered on health and well being concerns. The two focus groups of local Muslim women shared similar concerns. Many of the Muslim women felt uncomfortable with preconceived notions that they felt going into their health care encounters. Many participants felt that stressed Muslim women, especially since September 11, 2001, have difficulty finding appropriate services locally. Participants also stressed that factors shared by non-Muslims and Muslims alike, such as poverty and transportation issues, affected ability to access quality health care. Priority services that the focus group participants desired in a health center include: all-female staff; education of non-Muslim health care providers; staff with understanding of Muslim women; cultural sensitivity; comprehensive services; and childcare/ children's health care. In the discussion of these findings, this paper identifies future interventions and research the Muslim community has discussed in order to address these local health needs.Master of Public Healt