Date of Conferral
12-9-2025
Date of Award
December 2025
Degree
Ph.D.
School
Public Health
Advisor
Jeanne Connors
Abstract
Health literacy (HL) remains a critical public health concern, particularly among immigrant populations. This qualitative study explored how low health literacy relates to hypertension (HTN) management among Somali immigrant women. Low HL and chronic conditions such as HTN continue to affect this group disproportionately, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions. Guided by the Health Belief Model, this research examined Somali immigrant women’s perceptions of HL, how literacy levels influence hypertension management, and the barriers they encounter when managing their condition. Five Somali immigrant women who met the criteria participated in semi-structured interviews. All spoke English, were at least 18 years old, were identified as Somali living in the United States, were legal immigrants, and were diagnosed with hypertension. Data were analyzed using a six-step thematic analysis to code and identify major themes. The three key themes confirmed that Somali immigrant women 1) perceived hypertension as an indicator of potential health risks associated with unhealthy lifestyle practices; 2) were influenced by access to reliable health information that promoted positive lifestyle modifications; and 3) encountered persistent barriers that impacted their ability to sustain healthy behaviors. The implication for positive social change highlights the importance of culturally tailored health literacy programs. Public health leaders should allocate resources to strengthen education initiatives that address linguistic and cultural barriers, enhance disease management understanding, and improve overall health outcomes among immigrant communities.
Recommended Citation
Morris, Tawanna, "Assessing Health Literacy in Somali Women Living in the United States with Hypertension" (2025). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 18843.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/18843
