The purpose of the study was to address the gap in empirical literature by examining health-related practices of Russian-speaking immigrants. Additionally, the aim of the study was to identify patterns, meanings, beliefs and attitudes of Russian-speaking immigrants towards health and related activities. The research also addressed transnational connection of this population with the “old country” and the influence of such connections on current health practices of this population.
Methods: Qualitative ethnographic study with utilization of focused ethnography.
Results: Perceptions of health and illness of Russian-speaking immigrants were established during their formative years and upbringing in the former USSR. Those perceptions were subsequently shaped by interactions with healthcare systems in the former USSR and outside of the country of origin. Russian-speaking immigrants had a number of expectations of healthcare providers, including expectations of extra time and attention, especially if the patients paid for health-related services directly to the provider or through the insurance premium. A behavioral outcome manifested by health-related activities was a result of established perceptions of health and illness modified by experiences with healthcare. A factor of transnational socio-cultural connections was found to influence views and behaviors related to health of Russian-speaking immigrants. The difference was noted in the immigrants who left the USSR before and after its dissolution. Prior to the USSR collapse, the immigrants were leaving the country due to political and religious persecutions, and were cutting their ties with the country of origin. The wave of the immigrants from the post-Soviet collapse were looking for better economic opportunities, and kept their connections with friends and family left behind. Those transnational connections allow the immigrants to travel back to the countries of former USSR to receive medical care, as well as obtain virtual advice from healthcare providers overseas, and purchase health products from the former USSR while living in other countries.
Conclusion: Data analysis revealed perceptions of health and illness to be influenced by the perception of healthcare, and these findings subsequently guide health-related practices of Russian-speaking immigrants. The study also identified transnational socio-cultural connections to influence the beliefs and practices of the immigrants who left the county of origin after the USSR dissolution.Further research is recommended to examine the factor of transnational socio-cultural connections in greater details and to explore diverse groups of Russian-speaking immigrants residing in various countries.