Program

Physician Assistant M.S.

Year Approved

2015

First Advisor

Ekbom, Greg

Abstract

Hmong Americans have been identified to utilize various modes of medicine including: folk/herbal remedies, spiritual/shamanistic rituals, and adapted treatments from countries like Thailand or Laos. However, there is a lack of studies that measured the prevalence of these medications among the Hmong community in Saint Paul, Minnesota. A questionnaire was distributed at a Saint Paul, Minnesota Hmong market to explore the prevalence of Hmong medicine usage. Demographical information was also collected to help determine any relationships that might exist between certain socio-cultural factors and Hmong medicine usage. The study had a total of 54 participants. Of the 54 participants, twenty-eight (52.0%) participants reported having had used Hmong medicine within the past two years while sixteen (29.6%) participants reported purchasing Hmong medicine within the past two years. Participants who were born outside the US or lived in a household with a person who uses Hmong medicine were more likely to use Hmong medicine (p < 0.05). Participants who were female, over the age of 50, born outside the US, spoke primarily Hmong, or lived in a household with a person who uses Hmong medicine were more likely to purchase Hmong medicine (p < 0.05). This study brought attention to the medical practices of the Hmong community in St. Paul, Minnesota. Due to the lack of research in this area, this study served as a starting point into the prevalence of Hmong medicine usage. This study will benefit from future studies as the generations of Hmong communities move forward in time.

Degree Name

Masters of Science in Physician Assistant

Document Type

Masterʼs thesis

Included in

Primary Care Commons

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