TY - JOUR
T1 - Picuriste/injectionist use among Haitian immigrants in Miami-Dade County, Florida
T2 - implications for HIV-related theory.
AU - Rahill, Guitele J.
AU - Mallow, Alissa
PY - 2011
Y1 - 2011
N2 - We explore the risks reported to picuriste (injectionist) use in a non-probability sample of Haitian immigrant residents of Miami-Dade, Florida, using a mixed method approach. Picuristes typically have no formal medical training, and may use non-sterile needles. Face to face semi-structured interviews were conducted of picuristes (n = 10) and picuriste users (n = 25). We sought to corroborate the qualitative findings by fielding a survey based on the interviews in a community-based sample of 205 Haitian immigrants. The findings from the interviews indicate picuriste injections do not adhere 100% to established standards for safe injections, and may pose health risks that are similar to those that exist for injection drug users. Yet, of the survey respondents (n = 205), 17.6% reported obtaining picuriste injections. Our findings shed light on a normally hidden cultural health behavior, enhancing our understanding of picuriste practice and use among Haitian immigrant residents of Miami-Dade County, Florida. We suggest that medical care must be delivered in a culturally competent, culturally sensitive manner, with open dialogue between physician and patient regarding health beliefs and practices.
AB - We explore the risks reported to picuriste (injectionist) use in a non-probability sample of Haitian immigrant residents of Miami-Dade, Florida, using a mixed method approach. Picuristes typically have no formal medical training, and may use non-sterile needles. Face to face semi-structured interviews were conducted of picuristes (n = 10) and picuriste users (n = 25). We sought to corroborate the qualitative findings by fielding a survey based on the interviews in a community-based sample of 205 Haitian immigrants. The findings from the interviews indicate picuriste injections do not adhere 100% to established standards for safe injections, and may pose health risks that are similar to those that exist for injection drug users. Yet, of the survey respondents (n = 205), 17.6% reported obtaining picuriste injections. Our findings shed light on a normally hidden cultural health behavior, enhancing our understanding of picuriste practice and use among Haitian immigrant residents of Miami-Dade County, Florida. We suggest that medical care must be delivered in a culturally competent, culturally sensitive manner, with open dialogue between physician and patient regarding health beliefs and practices.
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M3 - Article
C2 - 22073524
AN - SCOPUS:84855372076
SN - 1071-5568
VL - 18
SP - 71
EP - 81
JO - Journal of cultural diversity
JF - Journal of cultural diversity
IS - 3
ER -