Showing papers in "Ethnicity & Health in 2019"

A Multicentre and stratified study of the attitude of medical students towards organ donation in Spain.

Abstract: Introduction: Medical students represent a new generation of medical thought, and if they have a favourable attitude towards organ donation this will greatly encourage its promotion.Objective: To a...

Usage of healthcare services and preference for mental healthcare among older Somali immigrants in Finland.

Abstract: Objectives: The aims of the study were, first, to describe and analyze healthcare services utilization patterns of older immigrants in Finland, and particularly to compare the availability and accessibility of health services between older Somalis and Finns. The second aim was to examine the preferences for mental healthcare within the group of Somalis. The third aim was to test the existence of a service usage gap expected to be characteristic of the Somali group, in which high levels of mental health problems occur alongside simultaneous low levels of mental health service usage.Design: The participants were 256 men and women between the ages of 50–85; half were Somali migrants and the other half Finnish matched pairs. The participants were surveyed regarding their usage of somatic, mental, and preventive health services, as well as symptoms of depression, general distress, and somatization. The Somali participants were also surveyed regarding their usage of traditional healing methods and prefe...

Prevalence and correlates of everyday discrimination among black Caribbeans in the United States: the impact of nativity and country of origin.

Abstract: Objectives: Black Caribbeans in the United States have been the victims of major discrimination (e.g. unfairly fired, denied a promotion, denied housing). What is not known is the degree to which they also experience more routine forms of everyday discrimination such as receiving poor restaurant service, being perceived as dishonest, and being followed in stores. This paper investigates the distribution and correlates of everyday discrimination among a national sample of black Caribbeans in the U.S.Design: This analysis used the black Caribbean sub-sample (n = 1,621) of the National Survey of American Life. Demographic and immigration status correlates of ten items from the Everyday Discrimination Scale were investigated: being treated with less courtesy, treated with less respect, receiving poor restaurant service, being perceived as not smart, being perceived as dishonest, being perceived as not as good as others, and being feared, insulted, harassed, or followed in stores.Results: Roughly one o...

Inclusive state immigrant policies and health insurance among Latino, Asian/Pacific Islander, Black, and White noncitizens in the United States.

Abstract: Objectives: Policy-making related to immigrant populations is increasingly conducted at the state-level. State policy contexts may influence health insurance coverage by determining noncitizens' access to social and economic resources and shaping social environments. Using nationally representative data, we investigate the relationship between level of inclusion of state immigrant policies and health insurance coverage and its variation by citizenship and race/ethnicity. Methods: Data included a measure of level of inclusion of the state policy context from a scan of 10 policies enacted prior to 2014 and data for adults ages 18-64 from the 2014 American Community Survey. A fixed-effects logistic regression model tested the association between having health insurance and the interaction of level of inclusiveness, citizenship, and race/ethnicity, controlling for state- and individual-level characteristics. Results: Latino noncitizens experienced higher rates of being insured in states with higher levels of inclusion, while Asian/Pacific Islander noncitizens experienced lower levels. The level of inclusion was not associated with differences in insurance coverage among noncitizen Whites and Blacks. Conclusions: Contexts with more inclusive immigrant policies may have the most benefit for Latino noncitizens.

HPV Vaccine recommendations: does a health care provider's gender and ethnicity matter to Unvaccinated Latina college women?

Abstract: Objectives: There are disparities in the uptake of HPV vaccine among racial/ethnic minority women. The strongest predictor of HPV vaccine uptake among adult women is health care provider (HCP) recommendation; however, it is unclear how issues relating to race/ethnicity may mitigate these recommendations. Research shows that racial/ethnic and gender concordance between a patient and HCP can improve patient satisfaction, access and quality of care. If concordance contributes to improved patient-provider interactions, then it may be a factor in patient decisions regarding HPV vaccination. The objectives of this study were to (1) explore gender and ethnicity HCP preference regarding HPV vaccination among unvaccinated; and (2) understand factors associated with those preferences.Design: Unvaccinated Latina college students (n = 187) completed a survey that assessed HCP preferences, medical mistrust, cultural assimilation and HPV vaccine recommendation. Logistic regression models evaluated associations ...

Community-based game intervention to improve South Asian Indian Americans’ engagement with advanced care planning

Abstract: Objective: Advance care planning (ACP) allows individuals to express their preferences for medical treatment in the event that they become incapable of making their own decisions. This study assessed the efficacy of a conversation game intervention for increasing South Asian Indian Americans' (SAIAs') engagement in ACP behaviors as well as the game's acceptability and cultural appropriateness among SAIAs. Design: Eligible community-dwelling SAIAs were recruited at SAIA cultural events held in central Texas during the summer of 2016. Pregame questionnaires included demographics and the 55-item ACP Engagement Survey. Played in groups of 3-5, the game consists of 17 open-ended questions that prompt discussions of end-of-life issues. After each game session, focus groups and questionnaires were used to examine the game's cultural appropriateness and self-rated conversation quality. Postintervention responses on the ACP Engagement Survey and rates of participation in ACP behaviors were collected after 3 months through phone interviews or online surveys. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, frequencies, and paired t-tests comparing pre/post averages at a .05 significance level. Results: Of the 47 participants, 64% were female, 62% had graduate degrees, 92% had lived in the U.S. for >10 years, 87% were first-generation immigrants, and 74% had no advance directive prior to the game. At the 3-month follow-up, 58% of participants had completed at least one ACP behavior, 42% had discussed end-of-life issues with loved ones, 15% did so with their healthcare providers, and 18% had created an advanced directive. ACP Engagement Survey scores increased significantly on all four of the process subscales by 3 months postgame. Conclusion: SAIA individuals who played a conversation game had a relatively high rate of performing ACP behaviors 3 months after the intervention. These findings suggest that conversation games may be useful tools for motivating people from minority communities to engage in ACP behaviors.

An examination of how to engage migrants in the research process: building trust through an 'insider' perspective.

Abstract: Introduction: Ensuring all members of society can equally participate in research and the provision of services is a challenging goal. Increased migration has been mirrored by media narratives of s...

Nutrition behaviors and sociodemographic factors associated with overweight in the multi-ethnic adolescents of New Caledonia.

Abstract: Objectives: New Caledonia is a multi-ethnic French territory in the Pacific, characterized by communities with widely varying nutritional habits. Little is currently known about adolescent food behaviors and habits and their association with overweight. This study therefore determined the sociodemographic factors and food behaviors associated with overweight and underweight in this population, as well as the factors associated with skipping breakfast. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among New Caledonian adolescents using a self-administered questionnaire; anthropometric measurements were also taken. Weight status was determined using international cutoffs, and the factors associated with overweight and underweight were identified with multiple logistic regression analysis. The factors associated with breakfast skipping were also determined. Results: Skipping breakfast, being Melanesian, living in a rural area and having low economic status were positively associated with overweight in these adolescents. Skipping breakfast was relatively infrequent, reported by 18% and 13% of the males and females, respectively. Logistic regression models found that the main factors associated with breakfast consumption habits were gender, weight status and ethnicity. Conclusions: Several factors are associated with overweight status in New Caledonian adolescents. Breakfast education should be improved for adolescents living in rural areas and from low socioeconomic status.

Does acculturation affect the dietary intakes and body weight status of children of immigrants in the U.S. and other developed countries? A systematic review.

Abstract: Objective: This paper reviews available studies on the relationship between acculturation and obesity among children of immigrants who have at least one foreign-born parent.Methods: A systematic re...

Assessing the special need for protection of vulnerable refugees: testing the applicability of a screening method (RHS-15) to detect traumatic disorders in a refugee sample in Germany.

Abstract: Objectives: Although EU member states are obligated to take special account of the situation of particularly vulnerable refugees, appropriate and specific measures to detect affected asylum...

Racial Discrimination, Binge Drinking, and Negative Drinking Consequences among Black College Students: Serial Mediation by Depressive Symptoms and Coping Motives

Abstract: Objectives: Experiences of racial discrimination have been associated with diverse negative health outcomes among racial minorities However, extant findings of the association between racial discr

What do we know about the health of Spanish Roma people and what has been done to improve it? A scoping review.

Abstract: Objectives: This study aims to review the published literature on the health of the Roma population in Spain, particularly that which describes health interventions and outcomes. Design: A scoping review of published articles/reports on Roma population health was carried out in Spain for publications between 2002 and 2014. Articles in Spanish or English were identified from Pubmed, Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Science, Scielo, IBECS, MEDES, Dialnet, Index Foundation, a database of theses and Google Scholar. After an initial assessment of the article title and summary, genetic studies, editorials, reviews and grey literature with incomplete data were excluded. Two independent researchers followed a protocol to analyze the selected papers in terms of general information, methodology, themes, and results or conclusions. Results: Forty studies were selected for inclusion, primarily located through PubMed and Google Scholar. Most of the papers were scientific articles, published after 2007 in Spanish scientific journals (70.0%) followed by institutional reports (20.0%). The main language was Spanish (84.2%). The studies were carried out mainly by public institutions (35.0%) or universities (22.5%). Most (67.5%) followed a descriptive design and nearly half (47.5%) were concerned only with the Roma population. The main thematic areas were: child health (25%), infectious diseases (25%), health and social education context (20%), perceived health and lifestyle (15%), sexual and reproductive health (7,5%) and health services use (7,5%). We found seven intervention studies related to health, educational environment, or social services. Conclusions: There are few publications related to the health of the Roma community in Spain and even fewer related to health interventions and outcomes. Those that are available have focused on areas such as child health or infectious disease outbreaks. It is important to promote health interventions in Roma communities and longitudinal studies that include a comprehensive vision and account for the social determinants of health.

Social stress, obesity, and depression among women: clarifying the role of physical activity.

Abstract: Objective: This study examined the role of stress in the association among physical activity, obesity, and depression among women. The extent to which physical activity moderated these relationship...

Racial/ethnic variation in the prevalence of vaccine-related human papillomavirus genotypes.

Abstract: Objective: There are currently three licensed human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines that protect against cervical cancer. Here we compare the prevalence of bi-, quadri-, and nonavalent vaccin...

Rural Latino health and the built environment: a systematic review.

Abstract: Objective: This study systematically reviewed literature examining the influence of the rural built environment on Latinos’ health outcomes and behaviour in the United States. A secondary aim of th...

Ethnic inequalities in doctor-patient communication regarding personal care plans: the mediating effects of positive mental wellbeing.

Abstract: Objective: There is limited understanding of ethnic inequalities in doctor-patient communication regarding personal care plans (PCPs). This study investigated the mediating effects of positive mental wellbeing on differences in PCP-related doctor-patient communication amongst South Asian and Caucasian UK residents. Design: Data from 10980 respondents to the 2013 Health Survey for England was analysed using bootstrapping methods. Constructs from the WEMWBS (Warwick and Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale) (Stewart-Brown and Janmohamed 2008) were assessed as mediators of relations between ethnicity and several doctor-patient communication variables, including PCP-related interactions; (a) had a PCP-related discussion about a long-term condition with a doctor/nurse, and (b) had this conversation within the past year, (c) agreed to a PCP with a health professional; and (d) talked to a doctor in the past 2 weeks. Results: Bootstrapped mediation analysis (Hayes 2013) showed that three positive mind-sets mediated associations between ethnicity and doctor-patient contact, including PCP-related communication. Being able to make up one’s mind (ab = -0.05; BCa CI [-0.14, 0.01]) mediated the effect of ethnicity on agreeing to a PCP, while having energy to spare (ab = 0.07; BCa CI [-0.04, 0.12]), and feeling good about oneself (ab = 0.03; BCa CI [0.01, 0.07]), mediated ethnic effects on talking to a doctor during the past fortnight. The mediating effect of reported energy persisted after controlling for medical history, perceived health, and other covariates. Conclusions: Ethnic disparities in doctor-patient interaction, including PCP-related communication, are partly explained by positive mental wellbeing. Gauging positive psychological moods in patients, particularly self-worth, self-perceived vigour and decisiveness, are relevant to addressing ethnic inequalities in doctor-patient communication. As PCPs may have direct implications for patient health it is important for health professionals to address deficits in psychological functioning that may precipitate ethnic inequalities in setting up PCPs.

The influence of socio-cultural factors on breast cancer screening behaviors in Lagos, Nigeria.

Abstract: Culture has been shown to influence health beliefs and health-related behaviors by influencing the type of health information to which women have been exposed and shapes health and illness perceptions and practices. To increase screening rates, cultural influences should be considered as important correlates of screening behaviors for breast cancer. This study used semi-structured interviews of women attending a cancer screening facility in Lagos, Nigeria guided by the PEN-3 model to describe culturally relevant factors that shape attitudes toward breast cancer and breast cancer screening. Religion was the most prominent theme and was shown to have positive, negative and existential effect on breast cancer perceptions. Other major themes observed were related to family and traditional beliefs. The results from this study could be used to develop and implement culturally relevant cancer prevention interventions, strategies, and recommendations to overcome screening barriers in an effort to increase breast cancer participation and awareness among Nigerian women.

Work, worksites, and wellbeing among North American Indian women: a qualitative study

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to understand what factors influenced work-family balance and related health behaviors among a sample of rural North American Indian women. We interviewed 89 women through both in-depth interviews and focus groups across four tribal communities in the American Southwest and Upper Midwest between July 2010 and August 2011. Interviews were transcribed, coded, and analyzed for emerging themes related to work- family demands placed on women and resources available to cope with those demands. Three prominent themes emerged: structural characteristics (the context of rural reservation life), role stressors (women’s multiple and conflicting roles) and the influence of social support (communal nature of care in the family and institutional support in the workplace). We found that women in participating rural reservation communities often acted as primary caregivers for both immediate and extended family, and often placed the needs of others before themselves. The context of r...

Measuring racial microaggression in medical practice

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to validate the already existing Racial Microaggression in Counseling Scale (RMCS) when the term ‘therapist’ was replaced with ‘physician’, thus constituting the modif...

Factors associated with routine screening for the early detection of breast cancer in cultural-ethnic and faith-based communities

Abstract: Objectives: Studies have shown a lower adherence to health behaviors among women in cultural-ethnic minorities and faith-based communities, especially lower screening attendance for the early detec...

'Mental health and self-rated health among U.S. South Asians: the role of religious group involvement'.

Abstract: Objectives: Only one community-based study has assessed religious group involvement and health outcomes among South Asians in the U.S., with mixed results. Here, using a large, South Asian communit...

Black, White, Black and White: mixed race and health in Canada.

Abstract: Objectives: To document inequalities in hypertension, self-rated health, and self-rated mental health between Canadian adults who identify as Black, White, or Black and White and determine whether differences in educational attainment and household income explain them. Design: The dataset was comprised of ten cycles (2001-2013) of the Canadian Community Health Survey. The health inequalities were examined by way of binary logistic regression modeling of hypertension and multinomial logistic regression modeling of self-rated health and self-rated mental health. Educational attainment and household income were investigated as potentially mediating factors using nested models and the Karlson-Holm-Breen decomposition technique. Results: Black respondents were significantly more likely than White respondents to report hypertension, a disparity that was partly attributable to differences in income. White respondents reported the best and Black respondents reported the worst overall self-rated health, a disparity that was entirely attributable to income differences. Respondents who identified as both Black and White were significantly more likely than White respondents to report fair or poor mental health, a disparity that was partly attributable to income differences. After controlling for income, Black respondents were significantly less likely than White respondents to report fair or poor mental health. Educational attainment did not contribute to explaining any of these associations. Conclusion: Canadians who identify as both Black and White fall between Black Canadians and White Canadians in regards to self-rated overall health, report the worst self-rated mental health of the three populations, and, with White Canadians, are the least likely to report hypertension. These heterogeneous findings are indicative of a range of diverse processes operative in the production of Black-White health inequalities in Canada.

Stereotype threat, trait perseveration, and vagal activity: evidence for mechanisms underpinning health disparities in Black Americans.

Abstract: Objective: Black Americans (BAs) are at an elevated risk for morbidity and mortality in comparison to White Americans (WAs). Racial stressors are a common occurrence in American culture and is theorized to contribute to these disparities. When race-focused, stereotype threat (ST) is considered to be a factor that is detrimental to health in BAs; however few studies have directly investigated the impact of a ST manipulation on physiological function. Furthermore, it is proposed that racial stressors such as ST may have prolonged effects when more likely to perseverate (e.g. rumination) over the stressor and thus, those with greater trait perseveration may be more affected by ST. We sought to explore the impact of ST and trait perseveration on changes in vagus nerve activity - an indication of adaptive psychological and physiological well-being - as indexed by vagally mediated heart rate variability (vmHRV). Design: Forty-three (24 females, mean age of 20, standard deviation of 3 years) apparently healthy BA individuals were randomly assigned to one of three experimental conditions in which they received either implicit (subtle), explicit (blatant), or no ST priming (control condition), prior to completing a cognitive task. Resting vmHRV was assessed both at baseline (pre-task) and recovery (post-task). Results: BAs in the explicit ST condition exhibited the greatest decrease in vmHRV in comparison to the control group from pre- to post-task. BAs with moderate to high levels of trait perseveration showed the greatest decrease in vmHRV from pre- to post-task in comparison to those with lower levels of trait perseveration and BAs in the control group. Conclusion: These data suggest that racial ST, especially when explicit and coupled with trait perseveration, can decrease vagal activity, as indexed by decreased vmHRV, which when experienced frequently can have significant consequences for health and longevity in BAs.

Physical activity interventions among culturally and linguistically diverse populations: a systematic review

Abstract: To systematically review physical activity interventions among culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) populations and explore the strategies used to recruit CALD populations, the cultural ada...

Stress across generations: A qualitative study of stress, coping, and caregiving among Mexican immigrant mothers.

Abstract: Objective: Hispanic immigrants represent the largest and fastest growing ethnic minority within the US, justifying increased attention to identify factors that influence declining immigrant health ...

Dark and sick, light and healthy: black women's complexion-based health disparities.

Abstract: Objective: Although research on skin tone inequalities suggest that darker-skinned Black women should experience worse health outcomes than lighter-skinned women, findings have been mixed. The present study investigates the possibility that the manner that stress and health are measured (i.e. global versus count measures) may explain the conflicting findings. Design: Black American women of different skin tones were investigated in two cross-sectional samples: the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (N = 571) and the Detroit Area Study (N = 290). Women's skin tone health disparities were examined using both objective (i.e. directly measured) or count measures (i.e. number of diagnosed chronic health conditions) as well as a global measure of health (i.e. self-rated health - SRH). Additionally, in the Detroit Area Study (DAS), disparities in stress exposure were examined using count and global measures. Results: Skin tone did not predict global measures of health (i.e. SRH) in both samples. In contrast, skin tone predicted objective and count measures of health in both samples, and the disparities between dark- and light-skinned women were starker among higher SES populations. Furthermore, DAS analyses of stress measures indicated that skin tone did not predict a global measure of stress but significantly predicted a count measure of stress (i.e. life events) since dark-skinned women reported worse outcomes. Conclusions: Health disparities research will benefit from accounting for Black women's skin tones as an important social determinant of health. Additionally, use of subjective measurements of health (e.g. SRH) may conceal within-race health disparities across complexions as well as obscure the magnitude of disparities across race.

National origins, social context, timing of migration and the physical and mental health of Caribbeans living in and outside of Canada.

Abstract: Objectives: Differences in health among migrant groups are related to the length of stay in host countries. We examined the health of people reporting Caribbean ethnic origins within and outside of...

The effects of acculturation and environment on lifestyle behaviors in Korean immigrants: the mediating role of acculturative stress and body image discrepancy.

Abstract: ObjectivesDespite high rates of cardiometabolic diseases in Korean immigrants (KIs), little is known about cultural and environmental factors contributing to lifestyle behaviors. The purpos...

Socioeconomic indicators as predictors of smoking cessation among Spanish-Speaking Mexican Americans.

Abstract: Objective: Smoking-related illnesses are the leading cause of death among Latinos, and within this ethnic group, Mexican Americans are the largest subgroup in the U.S. Understanding the fac...

Knowledge of gestational diabetes mellitus at first consultation in a multi-ethnic pregnant population in the Oslo region, Norway – a cross-sectional study

Abstract: Objectives: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is an increasing problem among pregnant women globally and is associated with short- and long-term consequences for both mother and newborn. The aim ...