Department of Community Health Sciences, 8783University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Natural Science Division, 5262Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA, USA.
Am J Health Promot. 2020 Sep;34(7):779-790. doi: 10.1177/0890117120925746. Epub 2020 Jun 3.
To examine the perceptions of and barriers to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participation among Asian and Pacific Islander (API) immigrants.
Qualitative focus groups were conducted in 4 API communities.
Participants were recruited from 4 API communities (n = 68; 22 Tongan, 18 Vietnamese, 16 Filipino, and 12 Chinese) through local community-based organizations in Los Angeles and Orange Counties.
Trained bilingual and bicultural researchers conducted 8 focus groups in English, Chinese, and Vietnamese. Prior to the start of each focus group, participants completed a demographic questionnaire which included a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Security Module.
Audio recordings were transcribed verbatim and those in the native languages were transcribed verbatim. Transcripts in native languages were reviewed and translated into English. All transcripts were organized in ATLAS ti version 8.0 and analyzed using thematic analysis. The USDA Food Security Module results were scored and assessed for food insecurity.
Median age of participants was 58 years and 59.4% (n = 38) were food insecure. Barriers to SNAP participation were identified and organized within the Social Ecological Model by the following themes: (1) unclear program information, (2) application process, (3) shame, and (4) pride. Despite commonalities found across API subgroups, unique challenges with public charge and immigration existed within the subgroups.
Culturally relevant in-language SNAP materials and multilevel interventions are needed to mitigate barriers and increase SNAP participation rates among low-income API groups.
探讨亚太裔（API）移民对补充营养援助计划（SNAP）参与的认知和障碍。
在 4 个 API 社区进行定性焦点小组。
通过洛杉矶和橙县的当地社区组织，从 4 个 API 社区（n = 68；22 名汤加人、18 名越南人、16 名菲律宾人和 12 名中国人）招募参与者。
受过双语和双文化培训的研究人员用英语、中文和越南语进行了 8 个焦点小组。在每个焦点小组开始之前，参与者完成了一份人口统计问卷，其中包括美国农业部（USDA）粮食安全模块。
音频记录逐字转录，原文语言的记录逐字转录。原文语言的记录进行了审查并翻译成英文。所有记录都在 ATLAS ti 版本 8.0 中进行了组织，并使用主题分析进行了分析。USDA 粮食安全模块的结果进行了评分，并评估了粮食不安全状况。
参与者的中位数年龄为 58 岁，59.4%（n = 38）存在粮食不安全。参与 SNAP 的障碍在社会生态模型中按照以下主题进行了分类：（1）项目信息不明确，（2）申请程序，（3）羞耻感，和（4）自豪感。尽管在 API 亚组中发现了一些共同的挑战，但公共收费和移民问题在亚组中存在独特的挑战。
需要有针对性的语言 SNAP 材料和多层次干预措施，以减轻低收入 API 群体参与 SNAP 的障碍并提高参与率。
