"Our Voices Will Get Louder": A Qualitative Exploration of Factors Influencing Arab/Middle Eastern North African (MENA) American Patient Participation in US-Based Health Care and Health Research

Siwaar Abouhala; Aber Abdulle; Ghada Aziz; Asma Hussein; Noor Zanial; Itedal Shalabi; Matthew Jaber Stiffler; Roula Hawa; Madiha Tariq; Ghadeer Ady; Germine H Awad; Nadia N Abuelezam

doi:10.1007/s40615-024-02255-y

"Our Voices Will Get Louder": A Qualitative Exploration of Factors Influencing Arab/Middle Eastern North African (MENA) American Patient Participation in US-Based Health Care and Health Research

J Racial Ethn Health Disparities. 2024 Dec 9. doi: 10.1007/s40615-024-02255-y. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Siwaar Abouhala¹, Aber Abdulle^{1

2}, Ghada Aziz³, Asma Hussein⁴, Noor Zanial^{1

5}, Itedal Shalabi⁶, Matthew Jaber Stiffler⁷, Roula Hawa⁸, Madiha Tariq³, Ghadeer Ady⁹, Germine H Awad², Nadia N Abuelezam^{10

11}

Affiliations

¹ Boston College William F. Connell School of Nursing, 140 Commonwealth Avenue, Chestnut Hill, MA, 02467, USA.
² Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
³ Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS), Dearborn, MI, USA.
⁴ Somali Family Services, San Diego, CA, USA.
⁵ Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
⁶ Arab American Family Services, Worth, IL, USA.
⁷ Center for Arab Narratives (CAN), Dearborn, MI, USA.
⁸ Family Studies and Human Development, Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University, London, ON, Canada.
⁹ Arab American Family Support Center New York (AAFSNY), New York, NY, USA.
¹⁰ Boston College William F. Connell School of Nursing, 140 Commonwealth Avenue, Chestnut Hill, MA, 02467, USA. [email protected].
¹¹ College of Human Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA. [email protected].

PMID: 39653989
DOI: 10.1007/s40615-024-02255-y

Abstract

Background: Heightened anti-Arab/Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) xenophobia in the United States (US) coupled with the addition of a MENA category on the next US Census call into attention the health needs of this minoritized population. Targeted research is needed to better understand the factors that influence Arab/MENA American participation in US-based health research and health care.

Methods: A novel qualitative interview guide was constructed to better understand the health research experiences, health care experiences and needs of Arab/MENA patients nationally. Patients were recruited through the Arab American Health Network Alliance (AAHNA) community connections. Semi-structured interviews were conducted virtually in English and Arabic, and qualitative data was interpreted through iterative thematic analysis using inductive reasoning.

Results: A total of seventeen interviews (n = 17) were completed (14 in English, 3 in Arabic). Notably, the majority identified as female (82%) and have resided in the US for 18 years or longer (53%). Three main themes were identified (1) Individual-level Comfortability and Access to Research Participation, (2) Advancing Community Health Outcomes and Participation, and (3) Structural Barriers as Drivers of Health Disparities.

Conclusion: The health research and health care experiences explored in this project have the potential of informing future inquiries on Arab/MENA American health. For instance, we suggest building community trust, providing equitable compensation and support, increasing health workforce diversity, and advocating for affordable health care, all to improve Arab/MENA patient participation in health research.

Keywords: Arab Americans; Health research participation; MENA Americans; Qualitative research.

Grants and funding

EACB-22821/PCORI/Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute/United States