Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health最新文献

This study examines the attitudes of students in Medical and Health Sciences faculties in Turkey toward Syrians and identifies the factors shaping these attitudes. 465 students were included in the cross-sectional study. Data were collected via an online survey form, which included demographic questions and the Attitudes Towards Syrians Scale. The survey included demographic questions and the Attitudes Toward Syrians Scale. Descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, and linear regression analysis were employed for data analysis. Age was negatively correlated with discrimination scores (r=-0.203, p < 0.001), suggesting that older students exhibited lower levels of discrimination. Students with negative experiences involving Syrians had significantly higher discrimination scores (p < 0.001). Those perceiving fewer cultural similarities also had higher discrimination scores (p < 0.001). Faculty differences were significant, with Health Sciences students displaying higher discrimination scores than medical students (p = 0.008). Among departments, Emergency and Disaster Management students reported the highest levels of discrimination (p < 0.001). Age, cultural perceptions, and personal experiences influence students' attitudes toward Syrians. Cultural awareness programs and opportunities for positive interactions may help reduce discrimination, particularly among younger students and those with limited cultural engagement. These findings emphasize the importance of inclusive education policies in fostering social cohesion within healthcare settings.

During the first year of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) immunoprophylaxis availability in 2023, quantitative studies found increased acceptance amongst parents who speak languages other than English, and qualitative studies of English-speaking parents identified hesitation about the novelty and side effects of the immunization. In this study, we sought to explore perspectives of Spanish-speaking parents on RSV immunoprophylaxis. Qualitative methodology was used to interview, using an interpreter, parents who speak Spanish (the most common non-English primary language of our patient population) of healthy term and late preterm newborns admitted to the maternity and well-newborn units between October 2024- February 2025. Semi-structed interviews were performed in a constant comparative matter until thematic sufficiency was reached. We conducted 21 interviews that included 25 participants; 81% of participants planned to give RSV immunoprophylaxis to their infant. Four major themes emerged: (1) most Spanish-speaking parents of healthy newborns reported a general lack of knowledge about RSV and RSV immunoprophylaxis, (2) many reported that they would trust the pediatricians on whatever was recommended to protect their newborns, (3) discussions around RSV immunoprophylaxis upon admission to the postpartum unit was not ideal, and (4) quality of interpretation services may have affected decision-making. Spanish-speaking parents frequently accepted the pediatricians' and nurses' recommendations for RSV immunoprophylaxis despite reporting a lack of knowledge on the subject. We identified potential inequities in the newborn immunization consenting process with families who speak Spanish which require further exploration.

Mixed-documentation status Latino families face unique barriers to accessing healthcare and public benefits. We examined the experiences of undocumented Latina mothers in North Carolina and the role of anti-immigrant policies and rhetoric in their decisions to access care and public benefits for themselves and their U.S.-born infants. We conducted a qualitative descriptive study to explore Latina mothers' experiences seeking care for themselves and their infants during the perinatal period. We used Emergency Medicaid at delivery as a proxy to identify undocumented mothers with U.S.-born infants. Twenty semi-structured audio interviews were conducted in Spanish via Zoom. We used rapid qualitative content analysis for timely, action-oriented analysis. Rapid qualitative analysis uses visual displays, such as matrices, to connect and analyze findings. Five themes emerged: confusion around public benefit eligibility and complicated enrollment processes; concerns and fears around immigration policy and rhetoric; cost as the most influential barrier to healthcare; positive experiences with language support and respectfulness of providers; "making it work" with the help of social support systems. While mothers narrated their experiences in the setting of prohibitive costs of accessing healthcare and fears and confusion about public benefits, they viewed meeting their child's health needs as a necessity, with social support systems important in navigating complex systems. Postpartum undocumented mothers with U.S.-born infants experience several barriers to NC Medicaid and public benefit enrollment for their infants, including complicated application processes, costs, and immigration-related fear. Advocacy is needed to prevent the dismantling of existing policies and create inclusive policies for immigrants.

Undocumented immigrants in the US rely on community health clinics (CHCs) and emergency departments (EDs) for preventive and acute care due to health insurance ineligibility and financial constraints. CHCs provide low-cost, accessible healthcare for thousands of undocumented immigrants in cities throughout the U.S. Limited evidence exists on this population's use of EDs despite establishing care in CHCs. This cross-sectional study described the key characteristics of ED visits among undocumented immigrants with established care at a single CHC in a major US city. ED visits (n = 319) were extracted using a random sample of patient records from a CHC serving a largely undocumented population between April 1, 2023, and April 1, 2024. The most common discharge diagnoses were categorized as infections (23%), injuries (22%), gastrointestinal diseases (16%), and OB/GYN diseases (11%). Disposition data showed that 81% of patients were discharged directly from the ED, 14% were admitted to the hospital, and 4% were placed under observation. For 309 visits, 61% were classified as preventable by the NYU ED algorithm (NYU-EDA). These findings suggest that most visits were preventable or primary care treatable, often driven by acute health issues rather than chronic care needs. Study results inform how CHCs, EDs, and health systems can address care gaps, enhance preventative care strategies, and advance equitable care delivery.

This study assessed the impact of reproductive health literacy training for general, digital, and reproductive health literacy among Afghan and Arab refugees. From September 2023 to June 2024, the research team offered reproductive health literacy training (RHLT) series to Dari-, Pashto-, and Arabic-speaking refugees online and at public libraries in Sacramento, California. The RHLT series presented information on cervical cancer prevention, family planning, and maternal health with an emphasis on participants' ability to independently find reliable health information and use it for their own and their families' health decisions. A total of 203 participants completed the pre-assessment and post-assessment, administered two weeks after the final training session. Each assessment included validated scales, including the European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire 6 (HLS-EU-Q6) and the eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS). Study participants in all three language groups significantly improved general health literacy, reproductive health literacy and reproductive knowledge (p < 0.05). Improvements in the digital health literacy scale (eHEALS) were borderline significant (p = 0.0506) and significant for Dari speakers (p < 0.05). There were no differences among the three language groups when controlling for age, education, and length of stay in the United States. These results showed that reproductive health literacy training that focuses on understanding and using health information is effective in increasing health literacy among Afghan and Arab refugee women with diverse cultural and demographic backgrounds. Scalable health literacy modules have the potential to reduce health disparities and empower informed decision-making within underserved populations.

Despite ongoing efforts to improve faculty diversity, systemic barriers have historically marginalized racial and ethnic minorities, particularly women, in academic positions. This systematic review addresses a critical gap in the literature by synthesizing longitudinal trends in the racial and gender composition of academic faculty, shedding light on the evolution of these disparities over time. The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines, with a systematic search of five databases (Sociological Abstracts, APA PsycINFO, CINAHL, Gender Studies Database, and MEDLINE) conducted between 2014 and July 2024 without language restrictions. Of the 8,423 records initially identified, 52 peer-reviewed articles, predominantly from medical and health-related departments, met the inclusion criteria for review. Using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal checklist, the methodological design of most included articles was assessed as high quality. Key findings revealed a general increase in the representation of underrepresented in medicine (URiM) faculty in some fields but stagnation or decline in others, particularly at senior levels. An intersectional analysis of race and gender highlighted that URiM women face unique challenges, including lower promotion rates and higher attrition risks. While these findings point to some progress in the overall representation of URiM faculty, substantial inequities persist, particularly at leadership levels and in promotion and retention processes. These challenges are further exacerbated by intersectional factors. Future research should incorporate qualitative data to better understand barriers and guide the development of targeted interventions.

Telehealth use increased dramatically after the COVID-19 pandemic enabled largely by regulatory changes. Health policy experts recommend telehealth as a viable option for healthcare delivery in the post-pandemic world. As investment in telehealth continues, it is important to ensure that existing health disparities are not exacerbated. One group that is particularly vulnerable to telehealth challenges includes patients with limited English Proficiency. This study aimed to examine whether English proficiency is associated with completion of telerehabilitation visits. Electronic Health Records were retrieved for all patients scheduled for a telerehabilitation visit (physical/occupational therapy) in adult or pediatric outpatient clinics at a large academic medical center between April 1, 2020 and April 30, 2022. Using data from 3,871 video visits involving 1414 patients, binomial logistic regression models were estimated to examine associations between sociodemographic variables (age, gender, race, ethnicity, insurance status, income, language preference) and visit completion rate using multivariable logistic regression models. 6.4% of telerehabilitation visits were conducted in a language other than English. 24% patients had a 0% completion rate, 9% had a completion rate of > 0% and < 100%, and 67% had a 100% completion rate. Being older and publicly insured was significantly associated with decreased odds of 100% completion. Patients with English as their preferred language showed higher odds of visit completion. Age, type of insurance, and language preference were associated with successful completion of telerehabilitation video visits. Future research is needed to reveal specific barriers to telerehabilitation for older patients and those with limited English proficiency.

This article describes the steps involved in creating a prototype with a gamified approach aimed at highlighting the challenges encountered by immigrants in foreign countries. This serious game sought to provide an interactive experience that mirrored the real-life obstacles faced by immigrants, fostering empathy among non-immigrant players in these scenarios, with the goal of improving attitudes toward immigrants. During the development phase of the game, a user-centered design approach was employed. The project was divided into several phases: understanding the context, comprehending user needs, iterative prototyping, and usability testing. Both immigrants and non-immigrants participated in the study, directly contributing to defining requirements and evaluating the game. The serious game "Typical Day," designed to simulate everyday situations faced by immigrants through interactive scenarios and critical decisions, demonstrated positive acceptance in terms of usability and engagement. The results indicated that "Typical Day" provided an engaging and educational gaming experience, successfully balancing entertainment and information. Positive feedback from 45 non-immigrant participants highlighted its potential as an educational tool to raise awareness about the experiences of immigrants. However, further studies are needed to evaluate its long-term impact on attitudes and behaviors. In conclusion, this study contributes to the literature by addressing a gap in gamified approaches to immigrant challenges, laying the foundation for future developments in serious games aimed at promoting attitude change.

Migrant and minority women in the United States face a high likelihood of experiencing poor reproductive health outcomes. Hispanic/Latina women are an especially high-risk population. Comprehensive and high-quality sexual and reproductive healthcare (SRHC) is desperately needed among this population, yet many Latina women face substantial barriers in accessing care. This study builds upon the three-delays model to better understand why Latina women experience delays in accessing quality SRHC in the state of South Carolina. Data for this study were drawn from semi-structed interviews with 14 adult women identifying as either Hispanic or Latina. Findings reveal that structural factors, including long distances to facilities, high costs of care, and difficulties navigating local healthcare and insurance systems, served as barriers to accessing quality SRHC. Socio-cultural factors, such as communication challenges and low cultural competency among healthcare providers, further inhibited access to care, even among women who spoke fluent English. These findings indicate a need for SRHC education and services to be more culturally-centered, by accounting for cultural knowledge and historical dynamics, and by giving patients more agency with respect to their care. Regarding the three-delays model, future applications should seek to better incorporate preventive services and consider that perceptions of quality SRHC are both individually- and contextually-mediated. This will be an important step toward developing policies and programs that are appropriately tailored to specific populations' cultural backgrounds and contextual needs.