Experience of South and Southeast Asian minority women in Hong Kong during COVID-19 pandemic : a qualitative study
Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews › RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal › peer-review
Author(s)
Related Research Unit(s)
Detail(s)
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 110 |
| Journal / Publication | International Journal for Equity in Health |
| Volume | 22 |
| Online published | 2 Jun 2023 |
| Publication status | Published - 2023 |
Link(s)
| DOI | DOI |
|---|---|
| Attachment(s) | Documents
Publisher's Copyright Statement
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| Link to Scopus | https://www.scopus.com/record/display.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85160900226&origin=recordpage |
| Permanent Link | https://scholars.cityu.edu.hk/en/publications/publication(ff0c4435-e7ae-4678-9898-d09b95c72daa).html |
Abstract
Background Hong Kong has a relatively low incidence rate of COVID-19 across the globe. Nevertheless, ethnic minorities in Hong Kong, especially South Asians (SAs) and Southeast Asians (SEAs), face numerous physical, mental, social, economic, cultural and religious challenges during the pandemic. This study explores the experiences of SA and SEA women in a predominantly Chinese metropolitan city.
Methods Ten SA and SEA women were recruited and face-to-face interviews were conducted. Questions about participants’ daily life experience, physical and mental health conditions, economic situation and social interaction amid COVID-19 pandemic were asked to assess the impact of COVID-19.
Results SAs and SEAs have a distinctive family culture, and women experienced significant physical and mental impact of COVID-19 due to their unique gender role in the family. In addition to taking care of their family in Hong Kong, SA and SEA women also had to mentally and financially support family members residing in their home countries. Access to COVID-related information was restricted due to language barrier. Public health measures including social distancing imposed extra burden on ethnic minorities with limited social and religious support.
Conclusions Even when COVID-19 incidence rate is relatively low in Hong Kong, the pandemic made life even more challenging for SAs and SEAs, which is a community already struggling with language barriers, financial woes, and discrimination. This in turn could have led to greater health inequalities. Government and civil organizations should take the social determinants of health inequalities into account when implementing COVID-19-related public health policies and strategies.
© The Author(s) 2023.
Methods Ten SA and SEA women were recruited and face-to-face interviews were conducted. Questions about participants’ daily life experience, physical and mental health conditions, economic situation and social interaction amid COVID-19 pandemic were asked to assess the impact of COVID-19.
Results SAs and SEAs have a distinctive family culture, and women experienced significant physical and mental impact of COVID-19 due to their unique gender role in the family. In addition to taking care of their family in Hong Kong, SA and SEA women also had to mentally and financially support family members residing in their home countries. Access to COVID-related information was restricted due to language barrier. Public health measures including social distancing imposed extra burden on ethnic minorities with limited social and religious support.
Conclusions Even when COVID-19 incidence rate is relatively low in Hong Kong, the pandemic made life even more challenging for SAs and SEAs, which is a community already struggling with language barriers, financial woes, and discrimination. This in turn could have led to greater health inequalities. Government and civil organizations should take the social determinants of health inequalities into account when implementing COVID-19-related public health policies and strategies.
© The Author(s) 2023.
Research Area(s)
- COVID-19, Hong Kong, Ethnic minority, South Asians, Southeast Asians, Women, Low incidence rate, Health
Citation Format(s)
Experience of South and Southeast Asian minority women in Hong Kong during COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study. / Chung, Roger Yat Nork; Lee, Tobey Tsz‑Yan; Chan, Siu-Ming et al.
In: International Journal for Equity in Health, Vol. 22, 110, 2023.
In: International Journal for Equity in Health, Vol. 22, 110, 2023.
Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews › RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal › peer-review
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