Attitudes towards and health consequences of female genital mutilation/cutting: A qualitative study among Somali and Kurdish immigrants and descendants in Denmark.

Objectives: There is lack of in-depth knowledge of how immigrants who originate from countries where female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) historically is practiced, perceive the practice after migrating to Europe. The aim of this study was to explore the attitude towards FGM/C among immigrants and descendants and the health consequences of living with FGM/C. Study design: Qualitative methods were used in the form of semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. Female and male immigrants and descendants in Denmark from Somalia or Kurdish of Iraq/Iran participated in the study. The interview/focus group discussion guides were developed by the European Institute for Gender Equality. Purposely sampling was used, and participants were recruited by use of snowballing through gatekeepers and women's societies working within the Somali and Kurdish communities. Results: Sixteen persons participated in the study. No descendants had been cut, but all female immigrants had been cut prior to migrating and did not wish to pass on the practice. FGM/C was perceived as a harmful practice with severe sexual and mental health consequences. Women with Somali origin experienced that the practice was falsely associated with their origin, which led to stigmatisation. Women with Kurdish origin lacked healthcare support when suffering sexual consequences of FGM/C. It was generally perceived that the Danish healthcare system lacked cultural sensitivity. Conclusion: FGM/C is negatively perceived among Somali and Kurdish immigrants and descendants in Denmark and not practiced among these groups. The Danish healthcare system should adopt a more culturally sensitive approach when addressing sexual health among immigrants and descendants. Denmark and other European countries should work towards destigmatising the immigrant communities when it comes to FGM/C. Larger European studies with primary data are needed to generalise the findings of this study.

Salud sin Fronteras: Identifying Determinants of Frequency of Healthcare Use among Mexican immigrants in Southern Arizona.

BACKGROUND: Guided by Andersen's Behavioral Model of Health Services Use (BMHSU), this study aimed to identify determinants of post-migration healthcare use among a sample of Mexican immigrants in a US-Mexico border region in Southern Arizona, while considering pre-migration health and healthcare experiences. METHODS: A non-probabilistic convenience sample of 300 adult Mexican immigrants completed a telephone survey to assess healthcare practices. Multivariable logistic regressions were fitted to determine adjusted relationships between frequency of care and predisposing, enabling, need, and contextual factors as well as personal health practices. RESULTS: Overall, participants had a 79% probability of receiving healthcare "at least once a year" after migrating to Southern Arizona. Receiving post-migration healthcare was associated with predisposing, enabling, need, contextual factors, and personal health practices (p < 0.05). DISCUSSION: Consistent with BMHSU, our findings suggest that frequency of healthcare is not only a function of having post-migration health insurance but is also shaped by a complex array of other factors. The results of this study shed light onto potential areas to be leveraged by multifactorial sociocultural interventions to increase Mexican immigrants' frequency of healthcare services use.

When time does not heal all wounds: three decades' experience of immigrants living in Sweden.

Aim: To investigate how immigrants from the Balkan region experienced their current life situation after living in Sweden for 30 years or more. Materials: The study was designed as a qualitative study using data from interviews with informants from five Balkan countries. The inclusion criteria were informants who were immigrants to Sweden and had lived in Sweden for more than 30 years. Five groups comprising sixteen informants were invited to participate in the study, and they all agreed. Results: The analysis of the interviews resulted in three main categories: "from someone to no one", "labour market", and "discrimination". All the informants reported that having an education and life experience was worth-less, having a life but having to start over, re-educating, applying for many jobs but often not being answered, and finally getting a job for which every in-formant was educated but being humiliated every day and treated separately as well as being discriminated against. Conclusion: Coming to Sweden with all their problems, having an education and work experience that was equal to zero in Sweden, studying Swedish and re-reading/repeating all their education, looking for a job and not receiving answers to applications, and finally getting a job but being treated differently and discriminated against on a daily basis was experienced by all the in-formants as terrible. Even though there are enough similar studies in Sweden, it is always good to write more to help prospective immigrants and prospective employers in Sweden.

Characterizing trauma encounters among patients with language other than English preference at a level 1 trauma center's emergency department.

Objectives: Injury-related visits constitute a sizeable portion of emergency department (ED) visits in the United States. Individuals with language other than English (LOE) preference face barriers to healthcare and visits for traumatic injury may be the first point of contact with the healthcare system. Yet, the prevalence of traumatic injuries in this population is relatively unknown. Our objective was to characterize the prevalence and purpose of trauma encounters, and healthcare utilization, among a LOE cohort. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of LOE patients who presented for a trauma encounter at a level 1 trauma and emergency care center between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2021. LOE participants were identified by utilization of video-based language interpretive services. Variables evaluated included injury patterns and primary and subspeciality healthcare utilization. Quantitative analysis of categorical and continuous variables was performed. Results: A total of 429 patients were included. Most patients presented for one trauma encounter and the majority spoke Spanish. The most common causes of injury were motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) (28.5%, n = 129), ground-level falls (15.9%, n = 72), and falls from heights (14.2%, n = 64). Occupational injuries made up 27.2% of trauma encounters (n = 123) and only 12.6% (n = 54) of patients had a primary care visit. Conclusion: Our findings highlight the need for increased research and attention to all causes of injury, especially MVCs and occupational injuries, among those with LOE preference. Results reaffirm an underutilization of healthcare among this population and the opportunity for trauma encounters as points of access to care.

Prevalence of Chronic Pain by Immigration Status and Latino Ethnicity.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to evaluate the Latino paradox and healthy migrant hypotheses by estimating the association between the prevalence of chronic pain, immigration status, and Latino ethnicity. METHODS: This cross-sectional study analyzed pooled data from 85,395 adult participants of the 2019-2021 National Health Interview Survey. The dependent variables were any pain and chronic pain in the past 3 months. The independent variables were immigration status (US born, naturalized citizen, non-citizen) and Latino ethnicity. RESULTS: Chronic pain was prevalent for nearly a quarter of US born non-Latino adults (24%) and non-citizen non-Latino adults had the lowest prevalence at 8%. In multivariable adjusted models, US born non-Latino immigration status and ethnicity was associated with a higher probability of reporting chronic pain in the last 3 months compared to US born Latino adults (-3.0%; 95% CI = -4.4%, -1.6%), naturalized citizen non-Latino adults (-4.7%; 95% CI = -5.9%, -3.4%), naturalized citizen Latino adults (-6.7%; 95% CI = -8.5%, -4.9%), non-citizen non-Latino adults (-3.1%; 95% CI = -4.7%, -1.5%), and non-citizen Latino adults (-8.9%; 95% CI = -10.8%, -7.0%). CONCLUSION: US Born non-Latino adults reported the highest prevalence of chronic pain and non-citizen Latino adults reported the lowest prevalence of chronic pain providing support for the Latino paradox and healthy migrant effect hypotheses.

Access Barriers, Trusted Channels, and Misconceptions About the COVID-19 Vaccine Among Rural Immigrant Farmworkers.

Background: Although COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted immigrant agricultural workers, vaccination efforts have been challenging. Barriers to immunization include language, visa status, and access to medical care. Additionally, vaccine hesitancy, mistrust, and misinformation contributed to low uptake. Methods: A community needs assessment was conducted with immigrant agricultural workers (n = 9) and community stakeholders (n = 15) in rural areas of Maryland and Delaware. In-depth interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using template analysis. Results: The participants named trusted and untrusted sources, sources of misinformation, and barriers to accessing information and physical locations to receive the vaccine as reasons for not getting the vaccine. Trusted sources included known community leaders and television programs. Some barriers mentioned were fear of deportation, lack of paid time off, language barriers, and difficulty navigating the U.S. healthcare system. Discussion: There is a need for culturally-tailored programs that address misinformation and barriers and use community-based programming.

Zoom & WhatsApp Digital Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) Enhance Community Engaged Research with Women Immigrants from Mexico.

This article demonstrates how digital information and communication technologies (ICTs) (Zoom/WhatsApp) unexpectedly and counterintuitively proved to be valuable tools for community-engaged health research when, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, they were integrated into a research study testing a peer support group intervention with female immigrants from Mexico. Because of pandemic restrictions, we changed the study protocol to hold meetings remotely via Zoom rather than in person as originally planned. Because we recognized that this would lack some opportunities for participants to interact and develop relationships, we created a WhatsApp chat for each group. Despite challenges for participants to use ICTs and participant-stated preference for in-person meetings, the results demonstrated that participants overwhelmingly endorsed these technologies as promoting access, participation, engagement, and satisfaction. Zoom/WhatsApp created a valuable environment both as a method for conducting research with this population, but also as part of the intervention for immigrant women to support and learn from each other. ICT adaptations have now permanently changed the way we conduct community-engaged health research.

Does an Immigrant Health Advantage Exist Among US Whites? Evidence from a Nationally-Representative Examination of Mental and Physical Well-Being.

This study examines whether an immigrant health advantage exists among US Whites, a group often used as a reference category in research on racial and ethnic health disparities. Using recent data from the National Health Interview Survey (2019-2022), I disaggregate non-Hispanic White adults (n = 41,752) by nativity status and use logistic regression models to assess differences in six measures of mental and physical health. The analysis includes self-reported conditions (depression, anxiety, fair/poor self-rated health) and diagnosed conditions that require interaction with the healthcare system (hypertension, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD). Foreign-born Whites have a significantly lower prevalence of each health outcome relative to US-born Whites. The immigrant health advantage remains significant for depression, anxiety, fair/poor health (i.e., self-reported conditions) and diagnosed hypertension, after adjusting for sociodemographic and healthcare characteristics. In contrast, the inclusion of these explanatory factors reduces the nativity gap in diagnosed diabetes and COPD to non-significance. Overall, the results indicate important variation in health among Whites that is missed in studies that focus on US-born Whites, alone. Scholars must continue to monitor the health of White immigrants, who are projected to grow to 20% of the US immigrant population in the years to come.

Structural gendered racism as conceptualized by immigrant women in the United States.

RATIONALE: Immigrants represent a rapidly growing proportion of the population, yet the many ways in which structural inequities, including racism, xenophobia, and sexism, influence their health remains largely understudied. Perspectives from immigrant women can highlight intersectional dimensions of structural gendered racism and the ways in which racial and gender-based systems of structural oppression interact. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to show the multilevel manifestations of structural gendered racism in the health experiences of immigrant women living in New York City. METHOD: Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted in 2020 and 2021 with 44 cisgender immigrant women from different national origins in New York City to explore how immigrant women experienced structural gendered racism and its pathways to their health. Interviews were thematically analyzed using a constant comparative approach. RESULTS: Participants expressed intersectional dimensions of structural gendered racism and the anti-immigrant climate through restrictive immigration policy and issues related to citizenship status, disproportionate immigration enforcement and criminalization, economic exploitation, and gendered interpersonal racism experienced across a range of systems and contexts. Participants weighed their concerns for safety and facing racism as part of their life course and health decisions for themselves and their families. CONCLUSIONS: The perspectives and experiences of immigrant women are key to identifying multilevel solutions for the burdens of structural gendered racism, particularly among individuals and communities of non-U.S. national origin. Understanding how racism, sexism, xenophobia, and intersecting systems of oppression impact immigrant women is critical for advancing health equity.

Assessment of health perceptions, use of health services and traditional health practices of Afghan immigrants in Türkiye.

Immigration, as a social determinant of health, encompasses several social and economic transformations. Neglecting to adequately address this issue could potentially worsen pre-existing challenges within health systems and in the management of migration. In the present study, we aim to evaluate the health perceptions, traditional health practices and use of health services of Afghan immigrants. We enrolled 1597 Afghan immigrants over 18 years old in the descriptive cross-sectional research. The mean age of the immigrants was 49.19 ± 1.6 years. The smallest number of points that can be achieved on the health perception scale is 15, while the greatest number is 75. We found that the health perception scale average score is 37.61 ± 7.32. Some factors, such as age 65 and over, female gender, postgraduate education level, good social insurance and economic status, being a public officer, not having any infectious diseases, and having a good Turkish level, have positively affected the health perception levels (p < 0.05). Moreover, we observed that cultural differences, expensive health care, a lack of social insurance, fear and anxiety, lack of language skills, waiting times and traditional health practices were the most common barriers to accessing healthcare services. Considering these issues in the health system, identifying the factors that negatively affect the perception of health and related to the use of health services can help immigrants increase their use of health services and improve their health.

Higher education as a pathway for female immigrants' establishment and well-being in Sweden.

PURPOSE: This study focuses on higher education as a pathway to establishment in a new society for female immigrants and its role in well-being. Building on previous research that highlights social capital and empowerment as significant factors for successful establishment in a new society, and experiencing well-being, this study aims to explore if higher education can promote female immigrants' establishment in Swedish society. METHODS: Interviews were used to explore female immigrants' experiences of higher education and establishment in Swedish society. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the empirical material, generating a nuanced understanding of the studied topic. RESULTS: Higher education was found to promote establishment in Swedish society, ultimately leading to an experience of well-being. Pursuing higher education was perceived as a means of achieving personal fulfilment and success while fostering new social connections. Important factors in pursuing higher education included favourable living conditions, personal motivation, and a positive educational attitude. CONCLUSION: The study provides insights into female immigrants' higher education experiences in a context that promotes establishment in Swedish society and well-being. However, more research is needed to fully investigate the driving factors for female immigrants pursuing higher education, considering their migrant background and living conditions.

The estimated 10-year risk of first-onset cardiovascular disease in Swedish-born and non-Swedish-born primary healthcare patients.

BACKGROUND: SCORE2 has been introduced as an updated risk assessment tool for calculating the 10-year risk of first-onset cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, it does not account for ethnicity or socioeconomic status, known to affect CVD risk. This study investigated and compared SCORE2 estimates in Swedish-born and non-Swedish-born primary healthcare patients. The second aim was to examine if several risk factors could explain differences in CVD risk between the groups. METHODS: This was an observational, cross-sectional study. Data were obtained from the 4D Diabetes Project study, providing a total of 444 participants aged between 40 and 69 years. All participants had complete risk variable data necessary for the SCORE2 tool and no history of previous CVD. Descriptive analysis was conducted to compare distributions of risk factors between Swedes and immigrants and odds ratios of risk factors amongst these two groups in correlation to elevated CVD risk were calculated using logistic regression. RESULTS: Swedish-born patients showed a significantly higher risk of elevated CVD risk estimates (≥ 2.5% CVD risk increase for individuals < 50 years, respectively, ≥ 5% for individuals aged 51-69) than the non-Swedish-born population, even after adjustment for educational level (OR = 1.61, 95% CI 1.08-2.39). Weekly alcohol consumption implicated a risk of being classified as high risk of CVD risk, regardless of country of birth (OR = 1.93 CI 1.25-3.00). However, Swedes accounted for most of the alcohol consumption (62.6% vs. 19.6%). No other explanatory variable showed significance in association with elevated CVD risk. CONCLUSIONS: Swedish-born patients were found to be at higher risk of an increased 10-year CVD risk. The association of alcohol consumption with elevated CVD risk needs to be further studied in longitudinal studies in representative populations, notably among Sweden's diverse ethnic groups.

Perinatal Outcomes of Immigrant Mothers and Their Infants Born Very Preterm across Germany.

BACKGROUND: In Germany, more than 40% of infants are born to immigrant parents. Increased survival rates of very preterm (below 32 weeks gestation at birth; VP) infants have not resulted in equally improved life chances and quality of life. More information on perinatal variations in outcomes according to social inequalities, migration background, and language barriers is needed. We tested whether mothers' immigrant status and language barriers are associated with perinatal health and short-term neonatal outcomes. METHODS: The data are from the national multi-centre German Neonatal Network (GNN) cohort, including VP births from 2009 onwards. In total, 3606 (n = 1738 female) children were assessed, and 919 (n = 449 female) of these children had immigrant backgrounds. Immigrant status was operationalised as a binary variable based on the children's mothers' countries of birth (born in Germany vs. foreign-born). Self-reported home language (L1) was used to calculate the average linguistic distance to German as one continuous variable. RESULTS: Mixed-effects models showed that two out of fourteen effects of interest survived the adjustment for known confounders and accounting for the nestedness of data within birth hospitals. Linguistic distance from mothers' L1s to German was independently associated with diagnoses of preeclampsia (OR = 1.01, 95% CI = [1.00, 1.01]). Infants of foreign-born mothers had higher odds for amniotic infection syndrome (AIS; OR = 1.45 [1.13, 1.86]) than infants of German mothers. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings from this large multi-centre longitudinal cohort of VP-born children indicate that maternal immigrant status and language barriers have limited impact on perinatal health and severe neonatal outcomes. This suggests that, regardless of background or language skills, there may be few inequalities in the perinatal health of pregnant women and their newborn preterm infants.

Responding to structural inequities: Coping strategies among immigrant women during COVID-19.

Examining coping strategies and resilience among immigrant communities reflects a commitment to working with immigrant communities to understand their needs while also identifying and building upon their strengths. In the United States, the physical, emotional, and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic intersected with existing structural inequities to produce distinct challenges and stressors related to the pandemic, immigration, caregiving responsibilities, and structural xenophobia. Leveraging an understanding of the multilevel effects of stress, this qualitative study explores individual, interpersonal, and community-level coping strategies immigrant women used to respond to, alleviate, or reduce distress related to these compounding stressors. Using semi-structured in-depth interviews conducted in 2020 and 2021 with 44 first- and second-generation cisgender immigrant women from different national origins and 19 direct service providers serving immigrant communities in New York City, data were coded and analyzed using a constant comparative approach. Four central themes were identified: caregiving as a source of strength, leveraging resources, social connections, and community support. While women described a range of coping strategies they used to manage stressors and challenges, perspectives from direct service providers also connect these coping strategies to the harm-generating institutions, policies, and structures that produce and uphold structural oppression and inequities. Accounts from service providers point to the detrimental long-term effects of prolonged coping, underscoring a duality between resilience and vulnerability. Exploring the coping strategies cisgender immigrant women used to ease distress and promote resilience during a period of heightened structural vulnerability is critical to centering the experiences of immigrant women while simultaneously directing attention towards addressing the fundamental causes of cumulative disadvantage and the systems and structures through which it is transmitted.

Factors influencing health-seeking behavior among Sudanese immigrants in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Health-seeking behavior (HSB) involves any action or inaction taken by individuals who perceive themselves to have a health problem or illness aimed at finding appropriate medical treatments. Studies suggest a positive relationship between the availability and quality of health services and their utilization. This study aimed to identify the factors influencing health-seeking behavior among Sudanese immigrants in Saudi Arabia, to improve healthcare access and health outcomes. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted targeting Sudanese residents of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Participants were recruited using convenient sampling. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed electronically. A total of 494 participants were recruited for the study. RESULTS: This study showed that the majority of the participants (66.6%) visited a primary healthcare center when faced with a medical problem. However, the prevalence of self-medication in the past three months was 45.7%. Significant factors influencing health-seeking behavior included age (OR [95% CI]: 1.032 [1.000-1.066]) and lack of health insurance (OR = 1.01, 95% CI [1.00-1.02], p = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS: This study emphasizes the importance of understanding healthcare-seeking behavior among immigrant groups, particularly Sudanese immigrants in Saudi Arabia. It highlights the significance of insurance as a determinant of healthcare-seeking behavior and calls for reforming current policies to reduce disparities in accessing healthcare services.

Investigating the association between discrimination, internalizing symptoms, and alcohol use among Latino/a immigrants in the United States.

Internalizing symptoms associated with anxiety and depression have been correlated with harmful alcohol use among Latino/as, but little attention has been paid to assessing the association between perceived discrimination and harmful alcohol use. The present study was designed to investigate the association between perceived discrimination, internalizing symptoms associated with anxiety and depression, and harmful alcohol use among Latino/a immigrants living in the United States (US). Our sample included 426 Latino/a immigrants. Their mean age was 40.05 years (SD = 6.50), 65.50% were women, 80.00% had a partner, 54.20% lived on less than $2,000 a month, and 41.50% reported having attained a college degree. Perceived discrimination was assessed using the Perceived Discrimination Scale, anxious symptoms were assessed using the GAD-7, depressive symptoms were assessed using the CES-D short form, and harmful alcohol use was assessed using AUDIT. We estimated a linear regression model using cross-sectional, self-reported data. The model was statistically significant, R 2 = 0.38, F (8, 425) = 32.09, p < 0.01. Discrimination was significantly associated with AUDIT scores, (ß = 0.21, p < 0.01) after accounting for covariates and for symptoms of anxiety and depression. Our results indicate that experiences of discrimination in the US are associated with increased harmful alcohol use even after controlling for other variables. These findings may be useful in designing coping interventions specifically for Latino/a immigrants to reduce the risk of alcohol use disorder. This study also has political and public health implications for acknowledging the detrimental health consequences of experiencing discrimination, providing support to the position that reducing racism and discrimination represent important public health priorities.

Screening blood donors for malaria, can we increase the number of eligible donors? An observational retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: In non-endemic countries, malaria can be transmitted through blood donations from imported cases. To ensure standards of quality and safety of human blood, the European Union and Spanish national law, requires a deferral period, or a screening by immunological or genomic test among those donors with potential risk of malaria. Scientific societies, European Committee on Blood Transfusion, and Spanish Society of Haematology and Haemotherapy, refer only to the result of the immunological test. METHODS: An observational retrospective study was performed in potential donors with a positive immunological test for malaria done in the Regional Transfusion Center in Madrid and referred to the National Reference Unit for Tropical Diseases in Madrid between 2015-2020. At consultation a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for malaria was performed. RESULTS: During the study period, 121 possible donors attended for consultation at NRU-Trop. Median age: 38.5 (IQR:33-48); median time to consultation was 32 months (IQR:12.5-110). Eighty-two (67.8%) donors were migrants and thirty-nine were travellers (32.2%). ELISA values were available for 109 subjects (90.1%), 56 individual left malaria endemic area > 3 years before. All donors tested negative for Plasmodium spp PCR test (n = 121, 100%). CONCLUSIONS: None of the subjects with a positive immunologic test deferred as blood donors had a positive genomic test. The presence of Plasmodium spp in collected blood was not detected by molecular techniques. To avoid the loss of potential blood donors, especially those with low incidence red blood cell antigens, as more precise microbiology techniques become available, updating the existing legislation becomes necessary to increase the availability of donated blood.

Resiliency and Barriers to Successful Aging among Middle-Aged Mexican Immigrants residing in a Rural Agricultural Community.

OBJECTIVES: The Latino population is one of the largest, most diverse, and fastest growing demographic groups in the U.S. While Latinos enjoy longer life spans and reduced mortality risk relative to non-Hispanic whites, they have higher rates of chronic health conditions such as diabetes and dementia and live more of their older years with poor health and disability. Such inequities point to the need for this research focused on examining resiliency strategies and barriers to successful aging among various U.S. Latino subgroups. METHODS: This qualitative paper used thematic content analysis to examine resiliency strategies and barriers to successful aging among Mexican immigrant women (n=40) residing in an underserved agricultural community and entering mid-life (mean = 49 years old). RESULTS: With regards to barriers to successful aging, three themes emerged: 1) stressful lifestyle in the U.S. compared to the participants' home countries; 2) stress from expectations at home; 3) and stress due to work and the various components around work. The following four resiliency strategies emerged: 1) family as a motivation for moving forward in life and focusing on the success of children; 2) having a positive mindset; 3) praying to God for strength to overcome obstacles; and 4) self-care. DISCUSSION: Despite experiencing barriers to successful aging, participants practice various resiliency strategies to age successfully. Since many of the barriers identified are related to poverty-related stressors, systemic solutions addressing the social determinants of health are needed.

Unmet need for family planning among Syrian migrant women living in Turkey and its determinants.

INTRODUCTION: Migrant women might be cannot benefit from health services sufficiently. The unmet need for family planning is among the pivotal indicators for measuring progress toward improving maternal and child health. The aim of this study was to identify the unmet need for family planning (UMNFP) among Syrian migrant women living in Mardin and its determinants. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted in Mardin. Data were gathered during home visits Data collection tools were socio-demographic and reproductive health questionnaires. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. Qualitative variables were presented by number and percentage. Quantitative variables were presented by means (standard deviation). To determine, the determinants of UMNFP binary logistic regression was used. RESULTS: The result of this study showed that prevalence of UMNFP was 35%. Woman's low educational level (OR:5.42, CI95%:2.43-8.94), history of un intended pregnancy(OR:1.43, CI95%:1.1-1.94) and induced abortion (OR:1.76, CI95%: 1.41-2.21), not having husband's regular job(OR: 2.24, CI95%:1.92-3.78) and lack of woman`s autonomy in decision related to use of contraception methods(OR:3.21, CI95%: 1.78-6.12) were determinants of UMNFP. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of UMNFP among Syrian immigrants living in Mardin was considerable. Understanding the challenges and the barriers impacting use of contraception including cultural norms as well, as social and language obstacles are essential to decrease UMNFP.