KNOWLEDGE AND PERCEPTIONS ABOUT MENTAL ILLNESSES AMONG KENYAN IMMIGRANTS LIVING IN JYVASKYLA, FINLAND
Kinyua, Bancy; Njagi, Edel (2013)
Kinyua, Bancy
Njagi, Edel
Jyväskylän ammattikorkeakoulu
2013
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2013111316972
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2013111316972
Tiivistelmä
ABSTRACT
The purpose of the study was to find out the perceptions and the knowledge about mental illnesses among Kenyan immigrants living in Finland. The aim is to provide information that can be utilized in health care sector, by policy makers and different stakeholders when planning and carrying out culturally sensitive health care services for immigrants. The research was carried out among Kenyan immigrants living in Jyäskylä, Finland.
The qualitative method was used to carry out the study. The data collection was done by interviewing three Kenyans who had lived in Finland for more than one. The interviews were conducted in May 2013 and data collected was analysed by using thematic analysis.
The finding showed that Kenyans interviewed had knowledge about metal illnesses. Most of them were aware of sorts of treatments and services available for mentally ill people. Despite having knowledge about mental illnesses and believing that mental illnesses can be cured, they still maintain cultural beliefs and perceptions about mental illnesses. Therefore, there is need for more education in order to eradicate the above cultural beliefs among Kenyans regarding mental illnesses.
Further study could be done on the same subject using large number of participants incorporating Kenyans living in other cities of Finland. This is because the study was only done in Jyväskylä and Kenyans are currently living all over Finland.
The purpose of the study was to find out the perceptions and the knowledge about mental illnesses among Kenyan immigrants living in Finland. The aim is to provide information that can be utilized in health care sector, by policy makers and different stakeholders when planning and carrying out culturally sensitive health care services for immigrants. The research was carried out among Kenyan immigrants living in Jyäskylä, Finland.
The qualitative method was used to carry out the study. The data collection was done by interviewing three Kenyans who had lived in Finland for more than one. The interviews were conducted in May 2013 and data collected was analysed by using thematic analysis.
The finding showed that Kenyans interviewed had knowledge about metal illnesses. Most of them were aware of sorts of treatments and services available for mentally ill people. Despite having knowledge about mental illnesses and believing that mental illnesses can be cured, they still maintain cultural beliefs and perceptions about mental illnesses. Therefore, there is need for more education in order to eradicate the above cultural beliefs among Kenyans regarding mental illnesses.
Further study could be done on the same subject using large number of participants incorporating Kenyans living in other cities of Finland. This is because the study was only done in Jyväskylä and Kenyans are currently living all over Finland.