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1.
Med Care ; 62(6): 404-415, 2024 Jun 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38728679

ABSTRACT

RESEARCH DESIGN: Community-engaged qualitative study using inductive thematic analysis of semistructured interviews. OBJECTIVE: To understand Latine immigrants' recent prenatal care experiences and develop community-informed strategies to mitigate policy-related chilling effects on prenatal care utilization. BACKGROUND: Decreased health care utilization among immigrants due to punitive immigration policies (ie, the "chilling effect") has been well-documented among Latine birthing people both pre and postnatally. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Currently or recently pregnant immigrant Latine people in greater Philadelphia were recruited from an obstetric clinic, 2 pediatric primary care clinics, and 2 community-based organization client pools. Thematic saturation was achieved with 24 people. Participants' pregnancy narratives and their perspectives on how health care providers and systems could make prenatal care feel safer and more comfortable for immigrants. RESULTS: Participants' recommendations for mitigating the chilling effect during the prenatal period included training prenatal health care providers to sensitively initiate discussions about immigrants' rights and reaffirm confidentiality around immigration status. Participants suggested that health care systems should expand sources of information for pregnant immigrants, either by partnering with community organizations to disseminate information or by increasing access to trusted individuals knowledgeable about immigrants' rights to health care. Participants also suggested training non-medical office staff in the use of interpreters. CONCLUSION: Immigrant Latine pregnant and birthing people in greater Philadelphia described ongoing fear and confusion regarding the utilization of prenatal care, as well as experiences of discrimination. Participants' suggestions for mitigating immigration-related chilling effects can be translated into potential policy and programmatic interventions which could be implemented locally and evaluated for broader applicability.


Subject(s)
Emigrants and Immigrants , Patient Acceptance of Health Care , Prenatal Care , Qualitative Research , Humans , Female , Prenatal Care/statistics & numerical data , Pregnancy , Philadelphia , Adult , Emigrants and Immigrants/psychology , Patient Acceptance of Health Care/ethnology , Patient Acceptance of Health Care/statistics & numerical data , Patient Acceptance of Health Care/psychology , Interviews as Topic , Health Services Accessibility , Young Adult
2.
Vaccine ; 42(12): 3115-3121, 2024 Apr 30.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38604910

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In the United States (US), COVID-19 vaccination rates among non-US-born individuals (i.e., refugees, immigrants, and migrants [RIM]) are variable. Understanding baseline COVID-19 vaccine coverage among these populations and determining if disparities exist is essential for quality improvement initiatives and public health interventions. METHODS: Baseline COVID-19 vaccination rates for both primary series and booster doses were calculated at four health systems located in Minnesota, Colorado, and Pennsylvania participating in the Minnesota Department of Health's Center of Excellence in Newcomer Health. Patients aged ≥5 years as of 1/1/22, seen for ≥1 primary care visit during 7/1/2019-6/30/22 were included. Descriptive statistics were calculated for three measures of COVID-19 vaccine coverage during 12/14/2020-6/30/2022: 1) initiation of primary series; 2) completion of primary series; 3) completion of first booster. We calculated vaccine coverage rates for the entire population and stratified by subgroup including country of origin, refugee status, and primary language preference. RESULTS: We included 1,624,573 patients eligible for COVID-19 primary series vaccine and 907,749 eligible for COVID-19 booster vaccination. The percent of eligible patients who completed a COVID-19 primary series (63.4 %) and booster dose (66.2 %) were similar. Completion of the primary series was higher for non-US-born persons (72.7 %) compared with US born persons (65.4 %), similar among refugees (63.5 %) and non-refugees (63.4 %), and lower in patients with language preference other than English (62.7 %) compared with English preferring patients (63.6 %). Booster completion was lower for non-US-born persons (61.8 %), refugees (46.7 %), and patients with language preference other than English (55.3 %) compared with US-born (70 %), non-refugees (66.3 %), and English preferring patients (67.3 %) respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This evaluation identified disparities in COVID-19 vaccination rates among non-US-born persons and persons with a language preference other than English living in the US. Targeted outreach efforts may be beneficial in reaching these populations.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Emigrants and Immigrants , Humans , United States/epidemiology , COVID-19 Vaccines , COVID-19/epidemiology , COVID-19/prevention & control , Minnesota/epidemiology , Vaccination
3.
Front Public Health ; 11: 1218306, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37732101

ABSTRACT

Objectives: To understand public health organizations' experiences providing comprehensive COVID-19 case investigation and contact tracing, and related promising practices with refugee, immigrant and migrant communities. Methods: We interviewed public health professionals (September 2020 to February 2021) from local and state health departments using a geographically stratified, purposive sampling approach. A multidisciplinary team at the National Resource Center for Refugees, Immigrants and Migrants (NRC-RIM) conducted a thematic analysis of the data. Results: Six themes were identified: understanding community and public health context, cultivating relationships, ensuring linguistic and cultural concordance, communicating intentionally, evolving response, and implementing equity. The interconnection of themes and promising practices is explored. Conclusion: As public health continues to learn from and build upon COVID-19 response experiences, the thematic findings and potential promising practices identified in this project may foster proactive, community-engaged solutions for public health, and other organizations working and partnering with refugee, immigrant, and migrant communities. Implementing these findings with COVID-19 into current and future public health crisis responses may improve public health, collaborations with refugee, immigrant, and migrant communities, and staff wellbeing.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Emigrants and Immigrants , Refugees , Transients and Migrants , Humans , Contact Tracing , COVID-19/epidemiology , Public Health
4.
J Pediatr ; 262: 113597, 2023 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37399920

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether individuals in the United States who speak languages other than English (LOE) are excluded from federally funded pediatric clinical trials and whether such trials adhere to the National Institutes of Health policy regarding inclusion of members of minority groups. STUDY DESIGN: Using ClinicalTrials.gov, we identified all completed, federally funded, US-based trials inclusive of children ≤17 and focused on one of 4 common chronic childhood conditions (asthma, mental health, obesity, and dental caries) as of June 18, 2019. We reviewed ClinicalTrials.gov online content, as well as published manuscripts linked to ClinicalTrials.gov entries, to abstract information about language-related exclusion criteria. Trials were deemed to exclude LOE participants/caregivers if explicit statements regarding exclusion were identified in the study protocol or published manuscript. RESULTS: Of total, 189 trials met inclusion criteria. Two-thirds (67%) did not address multilingual enrollment. Of the 62 trials that did, 82% excluded LOE individuals. No trials addressed the enrollment of non-English, non-Spanish-speaking individuals. In 93 trials with nonmissing data on ethnicity, Latino individuals comprised 31% of participants in trials that included LOE individuals and 14% of participants in trials that excluded LOE individuals. CONCLUSIONS: Federally funded pediatric trials in the United States do not adequately address multilingual enrollment, a seeming violation of federal and contractual requirements for accommodation of language barriers by entities receiving federal funding.


Subject(s)
Clinical Trials as Topic , Language , Patient Participation , Child , Humans , Ethnicity , Hispanic or Latino , Minority Groups , United States , Patient Selection
5.
Am J Trop Med Hyg ; 109(2): 471-479, 2023 08 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37429571

ABSTRACT

Effective provision of COVID-19 vaccines could mitigate the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic experienced by many immigrant communities. To describe organizational experiences in using COVID-19 vaccination programs, qualitative interviews were conducted from September 2020 to April 2021 with representatives from public health, health system, and community organizations responding to the COVID-19 pandemic among immigrant communities across the United States. Interviews followed a semistructured interview guide and were audio recorded, transcribed, and coded. A latent thematic analysis was facilitated by Dedoose software. Interviews representative of 18 public health departments, 20 healthcare systems, and 18 community organizations were included in the analysis. Five identified themes referenced the importance of 1) appreciating community and individual heterogeneity in health priorities and attitudes; 2) addressing vaccine fears with trustworthy messages; 3) ensuring equitable access to vaccine opportunities; 4) making substantive investments in community partnerships and outreach; and 5) adapting to meet new needs. It is essential that vaccine efforts consider community heterogeneity, communicate in a trustworthy and culturally and linguistically appropriate manner, strive for equitable provision of care, build partnerships, and learn from prior experiences.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Emigrants and Immigrants , Refugees , Transients and Migrants , Humans , COVID-19 Vaccines , COVID-19/epidemiology , COVID-19/prevention & control , Pandemics/prevention & control
6.
Front Public Health ; 11: 1078980, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37064664

ABSTRACT

This article is part of the Research Topic 'Health Systems Recovery in the Context of COVID-19 and Protracted Conflict'. Introduction: Refugee, immigrant and migrant (hereafter referred to as "immigrant") communities have been inequitably affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. There is little data to help us understand the perspectives of health systems on their role, in collaboration with public health and community-based organizations, in addressing inequities for immigrant populations. This study will address that knowledge gap. Methods: This qualitative study used semi-structured video interviews of 20 leaders and providers from health systems who cared for immigrant communities during the pandemic. Interviewees were from across the US with interviews conducted between November 2020-March 2021. Data was analyzed using thematic analysis methods. Results: Twenty individuals representing health systems participated with 14 (70%) community health centers, three (15%) county hospitals and three (15%) academic systems represented. The majority [16 health systems (80%)] cared specifically for immigrant communities while 14 (70%) partnered with refugee communities, and two (10%) partnered with migrant farm workers. We identified six themes (with subthemes) that represent roles health systems performed with clinical and public health implications. Two foundational themes were the roles health systems had building and maintaining trust and establishing intentionality in working with communities. On the patient-facing side, health systems played a role in developing communication strategies and reducing barriers to care and support. On the organizational side, health systems collaborated with public health and community-based organizations, in optimizing pre-existing systems and adapting roles to evolving needs throughout the pandemic. Conclusion: Health systems should focus on building trusting relationships, acting intentionally, and partnering with community-based organizations and public health to handle COVID-19 and future pandemics in effective and impactful ways that center disparately affected communities. These findings have implications to mitigate disparities in current and future infectious disease outbreaks for immigrant communities who remain an essential and growing population in the US.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Refugees , Transients and Migrants , Humans , United States , Pandemics , COVID-19/epidemiology , Qualitative Research
7.
Am J Trop Med Hyg ; 109(1): 90-93, 2023 07 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37068751

ABSTRACT

The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected refugee, immigrant, and migrant populations. Vaccines are essential for decreasing transmission and severity of COVID-19 infection. Understanding differences in vaccination coverage based on preferred language is crucial for focusing efforts to decrease COVID-19-related disparities. Four sites in the Minnesota Center of Excellence in Newcomer Health collaboratively evaluated completion of primary COVID-19 vaccination series on or before December 31, 2021, for patients who were 12 years or older on June 30, 2021, by preferred language. The non-English/non-Spanish speaking population included 46,714 patients who spoke 174 languages; COVID-19 vaccination coverage by language ranged from 26.2% to 88.0%. Stratifying vaccination coverage by specific language is a critical first step toward dismantling disparities and shaping interventions that best meet the needs of communities served.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Vaccination Coverage , Humans , COVID-19 Vaccines , Pandemics/prevention & control , COVID-19/prevention & control , Vaccination , Language
8.
J Immigr Minor Health ; 25(6): 1239-1245, 2023 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36586088

ABSTRACT

Refugees in the United States are believed to be at high risk of COVID-19. A cross-sectional study design was utilized to collect anonymous, online surveys from refugee communities in the United States during December 2020 to January 2021. We invited bilingual community leaders to share the survey link with other refugees aged ≥18 years. We identified factors associated with COVID-19 infection and measured the distribution of contact tracing among those who tested positive. Of 435 refugees who completed the survey, 26.4% reported testing positive for COVID-19. COVID-19 infection was associated with having an infected family member and knowing people in one's immediate social environment who were infected. Among respondents who tested positive, 84.4% reported that they had been contacted for contact tracing. To prepare for future pandemics, public health authorities should continue partner with refugee community leaders and organizations to ensure efficient programs are inclusive of refugee communities.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Refugees , Humans , United States/epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Contact Tracing , Cross-Sectional Studies , Public Health
9.
Front Public Health ; 10: 901230, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36211712

ABSTRACT

Formal and informal bilingual/bicultural organizations and networks form the backbone of support for refugee, immigrant, and migrant (RIM) communities in the United States. They are pivotal in mitigating barriers and inequities in social and structural determinants of health. These organizations and networks are situated within the communities they serve, and often are established and run by members of a community, to serve the community. In the United States, the COVID-19 pandemic surfaced and widened existing health inequities for some racial and ethnic communities. Our primary objectives were to: (1) describe the processes that underpinned the pivotal role of immigrant-serving community structures in developing and implementing culturally sustaining programming in the context of pandemic response, and (2) amplify the voices of community experts, as they shared experiences and perspectives around these humanistic and community-centered approaches. We applied a community case study approach to a national sample of RIM-serving community structures representing broad country/region-of-origin, cultural, and linguistic identities. Community engagement strategies utilized in the project period included engaging community partners to identify and facilitate connections, and consult on analysis and dissemination. The project team conducted 20 in-depth, semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of community experts/community organizations. Sampling strategy was further informed by immigrant identity (i.e., characterization of status) and geography (i.e., United States Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs Regions). Through thematic analysis, results identified key contextual, process-, and impact-oriented themes inherent to community-led COVID-19 responses, that were situated within and around the public and health system response to the pandemic. As public health and health systems scrambled to address acute and unprecedented barriers to access, distribution of COVID-19-related health resources and services, and disparate health outcomes, community structures diligently and intentionally reimagined and reconceptualized their response to COVID-19, frequently in the setting of scarce resources. The grassroots response evolved as a counter-narrative to top-down equity processes, historically defined by systems and applied to the community.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Refugees , Transients and Migrants , COVID-19/epidemiology , Ethnicity , Humans , Pandemics , United States
10.
J Racial Ethn Health Disparities ; 9(2): 589-597, 2022 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33651371

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To measure COVID-19 pandemic-related discrimination and stress among Bhutanese and Burmese refugees in the USA and to identify characteristics associated with these two measures. METHODS: From 5/15-6/1/2020, Bhutanese and Burmese refugee community leaders were invited to complete an anonymous, online survey and shared the link with other community members who were English-proficient, ≥18 years old, and currently living in the USA. We identified characteristics associated with pandemic-related discrimination and stress applying ordinal logistic regression models. RESULTS: Among 218 refugees from 23 states, nearly one third of participants reported experiencing at least one type of discrimination, and more than two-thirds experienced at least one type of pandemic-related stress. Having had COVID-19, having a family member with COVID-19, and being an essential worker were associated with discrimination. Discrimination, financial crisis, and female gender were associated with stress. CONCLUSIONS: Reducing pandemic-related discrimination should remain a priority, as should the promotion of social support and coping strategies. Noting that this is a nonrepresentative sample, we recommend that larger national studies tracking experiences with pandemic-related discrimination and stress include Asian American subgroups with limited English proficiency.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Refugees , Adolescent , Bhutan , Female , Humans , Pandemics , SARS-CoV-2 , United States/epidemiology
11.
J Pediatr ; 244: 212-214, 2022 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34971657

ABSTRACT

Although there are concerns regarding children's health in immigration detention, there are little data regarding hospitalizations in this population. Using 2015-2018 Texas inpatient data, we identified 95 hospitalizations of children in detention and found that most (60%) were driven by infectious causes, and that 37% of these children were admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) or intermediate ICU.


Subject(s)
Emigration and Immigration , Hospitalization , Child , Humans , Intensive Care Units , Texas/epidemiology
12.
PLOS Glob Public Health ; 2(8): e0000432, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36962489

ABSTRACT

Poor health conditions within immigration detention facilities have attracted significant concerns from policymakers and activists alike. There is no systematic data on the causes of hospitalizations from immigration detention facilities or their relative morbidity. The objective of this study, therefore, was to analyze the causes of hospitalizations from immigration detention facilities, as well as the percentage of hospitalizations necessitating ICU or intermediate-ICU (i.e, "step-down") admission and the types of surgical and interventional procedures conducted during these hospitalizations. We conducted a cross-sectional study of statewide adult (age 18 and greater) hospitalization data, with hospitalizations attributed to immigration facilities via payor designations (from Immigration and Customs Enforcement) and geospatial data in Texas and Louisiana from 2015-2018. Our analysis identified 5,215 hospitalizations of which 887 met inclusion criteria for analysis. Average age was 36 (standard deviation, 13.7), and 23.6% were female. The most common causes of hospitalization were related to infectious diseases (207, 23.3%) and psychiatric illness (147, 16.6%). 340 (38.3%) hospitalizations required a surgical or interventional procedure. Seventy-two (8.1%) hospitalizations required ICU admission and 175 (19.5%) required intermediate ICU. In this relatively young cohort, hospitalizations from immigration detention were accompanied with significant morbidity. Policymakers should mitigate the medical risks of immigration detention by improving access to medical and psychiatric care in facilities.

13.
Public Health Rep ; 136(6): 774-781, 2021.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34546812

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Little is known about COVID-19 vaccination intentions among refugee communities in the United States. The objective of this study was to measure COVID-19 vaccination intentions among a sample of refugees in the United States and the reasons for their vaccine acceptance or hesitancy. METHODS: From December 2020 through January 2021, we emailed or text messaged anonymous online surveys to 12 bilingual leaders in the Afghan, Bhutanese, Somali, South Sudanese, and Burmese refugee communities in the United States. We asked community leaders to complete the survey and share the link with community members who met the inclusion criteria (arrived in the United States as refugees, were aged ≥18, and currently lived in the United States). We compared the characteristics of respondents who intended to receive the COVID-19 vaccine with those of respondents who did not intend to receive the vaccine or were unsure. We then conducted crude and adjusted logistic regression analysis to measure the association between employment as an essential worker and COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. RESULTS: Of 435 respondents, 306 (70.3%) indicated that they planned to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Being an essential worker (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.37; 95% CI, 1.44-3.90) and male sex (aOR = 1.87; 95% CI, 1.12-3.12) were significantly associated with higher odds of intending to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Among respondents who intended to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, wanting to protect themselves (68.6%), family members (65.0%), and other people (54.3%) were the main reasons. CONCLUSION: Many refugees who responded to the survey, especially those who worked in essential industries, intended to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Community organizations, health care providers, and public health agencies should work together to ensure that vaccine registration and vaccination sites are accessible to refugees.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 Vaccines/administration & dosage , COVID-19/epidemiology , COVID-19/prevention & control , Patient Acceptance of Health Care/ethnology , Refugees/psychology , Adolescent , Adult , Africa/ethnology , Asia/ethnology , COVID-19/ethnology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Pandemics , SARS-CoV-2 , Sex Factors , Socioeconomic Factors , United States/epidemiology , Young Adult
14.
Am J Trop Med Hyg ; 105(5): 1261-1264, 2021 09 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34469330

ABSTRACT

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on Black, Hispanic, and other individuals of color, although data on the effect of a person's language on SARS-CoV-2 infection are limited. Considering the barriers suffered by immigrants and non-English-speaking families, we tested whether children with a preferred language other than English was associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Children from families with a preferred language other than English had a higher predicted probability of SARS-CoV-2 test positivity (adjusted odds ratio, 3.76; 95% CI, 2.07-6.67) during the first wave of the pandemic. This discrepancy continued into the second wave (adjusted odds ratio, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.10-2.41), although the difference compared with families who prefer to speak English decreased over time. These findings suggest that children from non-English-speaking families are at increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and efforts to reverse systemic inequities causing this increased risk are needed.


Subject(s)
COVID-19/epidemiology , Hispanic or Latino/statistics & numerical data , Language , Adolescent , COVID-19/ethnology , Child , Child, Preschool , Cohort Studies , Emigrants and Immigrants/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Infant , Odds Ratio , Risk Factors , United States
15.
Health Aff (Millwood) ; 40(7): 1145-1153, 2021 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34228526

ABSTRACT

Restrictive immigration policies are important social determinants of health, but less is known about the health implications and health-related content of protective immigration policies, which may also represent critical determinants of health. We conducted a content analysis of types, themes, and health-related language in 328 "sanctuary" policies enacted between 2009 and 2017 in the United States. Sanctuary policies were introduced in thirty-two states and Washington, D.C., most frequently in 2014 and 2017. More than two-thirds of policies (67.6 percent) contained language related to health, including direct references to access to services. Health-related themes commonly co-occurred with language related to supporting immigrants in communities, including themes of antidiscrimination, inclusion, trust, and privacy. Our work provides foundational, nuanced data about the scope and nature of sanctuary policies that can inform future research exploring the impacts of these policies on health and health care.


Subject(s)
Emigrants and Immigrants , Emigration and Immigration , Humans , Policy , Social Determinants of Health , United States , Washington
16.
J Immigr Minor Health ; 23(3): 558-565, 2021 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32712852

ABSTRACT

A quality improvement collaborative evaluated Hepatitis B virus (HBV) care for resettled refugees and identified strategies to enhance care. 682 of the 12,934 refugees from five refugee health clinics in Colorado, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania had chronic HBV. Timely care was defined relative to a HBsAg + result: staging (HBV DNA, hepatitis Be antigen, hepatitis Be antibody, alanine transaminase testing) within 14 days, comorbid infection screening (hepatitis C virus and HIV) within 14 days, and linkage to care (HBV specialist referral within 30 days and visit within 6 months). Completed labs included: HBV DNA (93%), hepatitis Be antigen (94%), hepatitis Be antibody (92%), alanine transaminase (92%), hepatitis C screening (86%), HIV screening (97%). 20% had HBV specialist referrals within 30 days; 36% were seen within 6 months. Standardized reflex HBV testing and specialist referral should be prioritized at the initial screening due to the association with timely care.


Subject(s)
Hepatitis B, Chronic , Hepatitis B , Refugees , Hepatitis B/diagnosis , Hepatitis B Surface Antigens , Hepatitis B virus , Hepatitis B, Chronic/diagnosis , Humans , Quality Improvement
17.
Public Health Rep ; 136(1): 117-123, 2021.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33207130

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Immigrants are believed to be at high risk of infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). A leading suspected risk factor is their role in the essential workforce. We aimed to describe COVID-19-related risk factors among Bhutanese and Burmese refugees in the United States. METHODS: We administered an anonymous online survey in May 2020 among community leaders of Bhutanese and Burmese refugees. Using a snowball sampling strategy, we invited community leaders to complete the survey and share the link with others who met inclusion criteria (English proficient, aged ≥18, currently living in the United States). We compared respondents with and without recent COVID-19 and identified risk factors for infection. RESULTS: Of 218 refugees in 23 states who completed the survey from May 15 through June 1, 2020, fifteen (6.9%) reported infection with COVID-19. Being an essential worker during the pandemic (odds ratio [OR] = 5.25; 95% CI, 1.21-22.78), having an infected family member (OR = 26.92; 95% CI, 5.19-139.75), and being female (OR = 5.63; 95% CI, 1.14-27.82) were risk factors for infection. Among 33 infected family members, 23 (69.7%) were essential workers. CONCLUSION: Although we had a small snowball sample, we found that working in essential industries was associated with an increased risk of COVID-19 infection among Bhutanese and Burmese refugees. We call for larger studies that include Asian immigrant subgroups, as well as immediate attention to protecting immigrant essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.


Subject(s)
COVID-19/ethnology , Refugees/statistics & numerical data , Adult , Bhutan/ethnology , Female , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Myanmar/ethnology , Occupational Exposure/statistics & numerical data , Pandemics , Risk Factors , SARS-CoV-2 , Sex Factors , Socioeconomic Factors , United States/epidemiology
18.
Acad Pediatr ; 20(8): 1148-1156, 2020.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32599347

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Children and youth in immigrant families (CIF)-children and youth with at least 1 foreign-born parent-face unique psychosocial stressors. Yet little is known about access to mental and behavioral health (MBH) services for CIF. Among US CIF and non-CIF with MBH problems, we assessed access to MBH treatment. METHODS: We used the National Survey of Children's Health-2016, a nationally representative survey of predominantly English- or Spanish-speaking US parents. The sample included 2- to 17-year-olds whose parent reported at least 1 MBH problem. The primary outcome was prior-year receipt of MBH treatment (counseling, medication, or both). RESULTS: Of 50,212 survey respondents, 7164 reported a current MBH problem (809 CIF and 6355 non-CIF). The majority of CIF were Hispanic/Latinx (56% CIF vs 13% non-CIF, P < .001). CIF were less likely than non-CIF to have an Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) diagnosis (35% vs 59%, P < .001) and less likely to have received MBH medication and/or counseling (61% vs 71%, P = .02). This difference was pronounced for receiving medication (32% vs 50%, P < .001). When controlling for multiple covariates, differences in any MBH treatment were no longer statistically significant (adjusted odds ratios 0.76, 95% confidence interval 0.52-1.11), while the odds of receipt of medication remained significantly lower for CIF (adjusted odds ratios 0.61, 95% confidence interval 0.42-0.88). CONCLUSIONS: Among children and youth with at least 1 parent-reported MBH problem, CIF, compared with non-CIF, were less likely to receive MBH treatment, specifically medication. This may be explained, in part, by differences in the proportion of CIF and non-CIF diagnosed with ADHD.


Subject(s)
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity , Emigrants and Immigrants , Psychiatry , Adolescent , Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity/therapy , Behavior Therapy , Humans , Parents , United States
19.
J Immigr Minor Health ; 22(5): 957-964, 2020 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32088846

ABSTRACT

Poor mental health remains a significant source of morbidity and mortality in the Bhutanese refugee community. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a promising intervention that has been used in other immigrant communities to prepare individuals to recognize and respond to mental health warning signs. This was a non-randomized program evaluation. Using pre- and post-training questionnaires developed for prior evaluations of MHFA, we examined the effectiveness of training offered with and without culturally-appropriate orientation to mental health terminology and concepts (N = 458). Pre- to post-training improvement in ability to recognize schizophrenia, ability to respond to schizophrenia and depression, and the overall mental health literacy was greater for Bhutanese refugees who attended orientation relative to other participants (P < 0.05). In scaling up MHFA training for other immigrant communities, we recommend developing and systematically evaluating culturally-appropriate orientation materials that introduce mental health vocabulary and contextualize mental health concepts.


Subject(s)
Refugees , Bhutan , First Aid , Humans , Mental Health , Program Evaluation
20.
Pediatrics ; 145(1)2020 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31822511

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Interest and participation in global health (GH) experiences have increased over the past 30 years in both medical schools and residencies, but little is known at the level of practicing pediatricians. METHODS: Data were compared from the American Academy of Pediatrics Periodic Surveys conducted in 1989 and 2017. The surveys had a response rate of 70.8% in 1989 and 46.7% in 2017. There were 638 and 668 postresidency pediatricians in the 1989 and 2017 surveys, respectively. Descriptive analyses were performed to look at changes in experience and interest in GH. A multivariable logistic regression was conducted specifically looking at characteristics associated with interest in participating in GH experiences in the next 3 years. RESULTS: Pediatrician participation in GH experiences increased from 2.2% in 1989 to 5.1% in 2017, with statistically significant increases in pediatricians ≥50 years of age. Interest in participating in future GH experiences increased from 25.2% in 1989 to 31.7% in 2017, with a particular preference for short-term clinical opportunities. In the multivariable logistic regression model, the year 2017 was associated with an increased interest in future GH experience, especially in medical school, hospital or clinic practice settings, as well as among subspecialists. CONCLUSIONS: Over the past 28 years, practicing pediatricians have increased their involvement in GH, and they are more interested in future GH experiences. The focus is on short-term opportunities. Our study reveals that practicing pediatricians mirror medical trainees in their growing interest and participation in GH.


Subject(s)
Attitude of Health Personnel , Global Health , Pediatricians , Adult , Female , Global Health/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Surveys and Questionnaires , United States
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