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Karl, Briana Accepted Thesis 8-9-16 Su16.pdf (703.27 KB)
ETD Abstract Container
Abstract Header
Navigating the Unknown: Immigrant's Maternal Health Experiences in Southeast Ohio
Author Info
Karl, Briana N.,
Permalink:
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1470772256
Abstract Details
Year and Degree
2016, Master of Arts (MA), Ohio University, Geography (Arts and Sciences).
Abstract
The purpose of this research is to explore the maternal health experiences of immigrant women in southeast Ohio, as well as the differences among those experiences. Common narratives often paint immigrant women as having homogenous maternal healthcare needs and outcomes, and they are viewed as vulnerable and unable to make their own healthcare decisions. Current research has focused on the negative maternal health experiences of immigrants in urban spaces and has, therefore, failed to include populations from rural environments. Athens, Ohio, the primary area where the maternal experiences in this research took place, is a rural environment that has limited maternal healthcare facilities. It does, however, have numerous community resources and is closely connected to Ohio University, which makes it a unique research location to examine immigrant experiences. Consequently, this thesis will examine the significance of spatial context coupled with the frameworks of intersectionality, Othering’, and authoritative knowledge to uncover the factors that contribute to the positive maternal healthcare experiences of immigrant women. Uncovered from semi-structured interviews were three factors participants used to describe their positive experiences. These are interactions with healthcare providers, community resources and support structures, and differences in maternal healthcare from their home countries. I conclude that although the rural spaces of Southeast Ohio provide limited maternal healthcare services, immigrant women have access to numerous community resources and connections to the international student population at Ohio University. This connection contributes to the agency of immigrant women that allows them to defy common narratives in which immigrant women are often viewed under racialized assumptions.
Committee
Edna Wangui (Advisor)
Risa Whitson (Committee Chair)
Thomas Smucker (Committee Member)
Pages
88 p.
Subject Headings
Geography
Keywords
Maternal Health
;
Immigrant health
;
intersectionality
;
Othering
;
authoritative knowledge
;
Southeast Ohio
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Citations
Karl, , B. N. (2016).
Navigating the Unknown: Immigrant's Maternal Health Experiences in Southeast Ohio
[Master's thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1470772256
APA Style (7th edition)
Karl, , Briana.
Navigating the Unknown: Immigrant's Maternal Health Experiences in Southeast Ohio.
2016. Ohio University, Master's thesis.
OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center
, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1470772256.
MLA Style (8th edition)
Karl, , Briana. "Navigating the Unknown: Immigrant's Maternal Health Experiences in Southeast Ohio." Master's thesis, Ohio University, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1470772256
Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)
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Document number:
ohiou1470772256
Download Count:
529
Copyright Info
© 2016, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.