The influence of culture on the health beliefs and health behaviours of older Vietnam-born Australians living with chronic disease.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To explore the health beliefs and health behaviours of older Vietnam-born people living with chronic disease in Western Australia. DESIGN: This study was designed as a focused ethnography guided by the interpretative research paradigm and Leininger's Theory of Culture Care. METHODS: Data were collected through participant observation and interviews undertaken at participants' homes in Western Australia over 7 months in 2019. Data were analysed using Wolcott's approach for transferring qualitative data, comprising three phases description, thematic analysis and interpretation. RESULTS: This study included 12 participants. The health perspectives and practices of older Vietnam-born Australians significantly reflected the traditional Vietnamese values. These included the stigma towards chronic disease as an inevitable consequence of ageing; self-blame thoughts about chronic disease causations and maintained traditional dietary practices. However, some aspects of their health behaviours such as beliefs and practices in traditional medicine, Western medicine and physical exercise reflected a blended approach combining both Vietnamese-oriented and Westernized-orientated practices. Individual factors were also identified as contributing to chronic disease self-care among participants. CONCLUSION: This study emphasizes culture played a significant role in shaping the way that older Vietnam-born Australians believed and behaved while living with chronic conditions. However, it also indicates that culture is not a stationary concept, it evolves gradually and is socially constructed. IMPLICATIONS A better understanding of the health beliefs and practices of older Vietnam-born Australians is expected to contribute to the delivery of culturally safe and effective support for this population. The achievement of culturally safe care requires a systemic approach and collaboration of strategies across sectors. PATIENT AND PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION This study encompassed the contribution of 12 older Vietnam-born Australians who offered the researcher the privilege to enter their world and the staff of social care organization who opened the gate for the researcher to approach participants.