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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Astrid Desrosiers, MD, MPH, Psychiatry/Cambridge Health Alliance Multicultural Research Center, Cambridge Health Alliance, Harvard Medical School, 3 Leicester Rd, Belmont, MA 02478, 617 484 1231, astride_desrosiers@hms.harvard.edu and Linda Marc, ScD, MPH, Psychiatry, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, 21 Bloomingdale Road, 2 South, White Plains, NY 10605.

Abstract

Background: The literature on Haitian immigrant mental health is limited. Typically, Haitian immigrants are grouped with African Americans, despite being of a distinct ethnicity. Objectives: 1) to provide data on immigrant Haitian psychiatric patients; 2) to provide clinical insights for those working with Haitians; 3) to encourage further research in the mental health of Haitian immigrants. Design: Chart review Setting: Inpatient unit of a teaching hospital in Massachusetts, 1995-2004. Population: 52 Haitian adults, 90% of whom spoke Haitian Creole (36.5% Creole only, 53.8% Creole and English). Conclusion: Results from the study did not support the view that blacks in general are more likely to be given a Psychotic disorder than a mood disorder diagnosis. Haitians were as likely to be given either diagnosis. The rate of compulsory admissions was higher for Haitians than for the general population 64% versus 27%). A primary diagnosis of PTSD was made in 4% of the patients, which is well below the national prevalence rate for PTSD. Finally, a history of substance abuse was reported in only 4% of patients, compared with a national average of 20-70% among hospitalized psychiatric patients. Treatment biases may affect the psychiatric hospitalization and diagnosis of Haitians. In addition, Haitians face many barriers to treatment, among them, distrust of medical health systems, absence of insurance, linguistic barriers, and little time outside of work. Further research is necessary to examine diagnostic challenges and mental health treatment barriers in this population.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will be able to describe the clinical profile and the sociodemographic characteristics of Haitians who present for psychiatric hospitalization
• Participants will recognize how treatment biases affect the diagnosis and psychiatric hospitalization of Haitians.
• Participans will devellop a better understanding of Haitian culture and its impact on mental health. 4)Participants will identify barriers faced by Haitians when accessing health care. The information will help develop effective services and delivery mechanisms that are culturally appropriate and sensitive.

Keywords: Culture, Access and Services

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered