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PubMedDate not supplied

Biochemical values of immigrant groups in north-east France.

Laboratory-test results for a population of immigrants living in north-east France revealed differences between the concentration of the blood constituents of immigrants and native French people. By immigrants we mean persons now living in France but coming from other geographical locations such as Italy, the Iberian Peninsula, northern or central Europe, northern Africa, or the Near or Middle East. Multiple regression analysis confirmed the need to establish reference limits in immigrants for many blood constituents because of a significant shift of the curve relative to that for the French population. We have determined appropriate reference limits, for some ten blood constituents in each group of immigrants.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Israel 2000: immigration and gender differences in alcohol consumption.

The present study addresses the association between immigration from the former Soviet Union (FSU) and gender and alcohol consumption among a representative sample of young adults in Israel 2000. Previous studies that were conducted on FSU immigrants to Israel indicate higher consumption than that of resident Israelis and immigrants of earlier periods. The current study aims to assess alcohol consumption among FSU and resident Israelis five years later to determine whether the discrepancy in alcohol consumption stays consistent or reduces. In addition, gender differences in alcohol consumption among the Israeli society were examined as well, as a special case of socio-culture differences. The data came from the 2000 national survey of drinking in Israel. Of 5,004 Jewish Israelis, 532 were immigrants from the FSU who arrived since 1989, and 4,472 were resident Israelis. The FSU group was compared with resident Israelis, and males were compared to females on several drinking variables. Logistic regression was the principal method of analysis. Demographics and cultural variables as main effects or in interaction with FSU and gender were controlled. The FSU group was significantly more likely to report drinking in the last twelve months plus drinking in the last thirty days than resident Israelis. Women's reported drinking in the last twelve months was one fourth of men's and during the past thirty days was one fifth of men's. Further investigation on the associations between the success of FSU acculturation in the Israeli society and drinking patterns as well as attitudes toward women and gender differences in alcohol consumption may provide explanations for gender and immigration gaps in alcohol consumption.

Acculturation↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Development of targeted message concepts for recent Asian immigrants about secondhand smoke.

Residents of Boston's Chinatown and the Vietnamese community in Boston's Dorchester section are recent immigrants from China and Vietnam, countries whose smoking prevalence rates for men are among the highest in the world and whose rates for women are very low. We conducted exploratory focus groups in these communities to examine issues related to secondhand smoke and to generate message concepts for health education materials that would convince recent Asian immigrants to respond to the public health threat that secondhand smoke poses. The message concepts, which were tailored specifically for Chinese and Vietnamese immigrants, used themes that were consistent with the cultural values of each group as expressed in the focus groups, yet also reflected the fact that, in many ways, these immigrants are seeking to adapt to American norms. We suggest that it is possible to construct culturally appropriate health education materials for recent immigrant populations rather than rely on simple translations of English-language materials. An intervention study using these message concepts is needed.

Asian↗

PubMed2005

Influence of beliefs about cervical cancer etiology on Pap smear use among Latina immigrants.

OBJECTIVE: To assess Latina immigrants' beliefs about the role of sexual activities in cervical cancer etiology and the impact of the beliefs on Papanicolaou (Pap) smear use. Previous research has found that Latinas, particularly immigrants, believe that cervical cancer is related to 'unwise' sexual activities; however, their beliefs about the nature of the relationship are unclear. DESIGN: We conducted semi-structured face-to-face interviews with a non-probability purposive sample of 20 Mexican immigrant women who resided in Orange County, California regarding their beliefs about risk factors for cervical cancer and Pap smear use. We used qualitative content analysis to identify major themes. Three investigators independently reviewed transcripts of the audio-taped interviews to identify themes and came to a consensus about them. RESULTS: The women had a mean age of 39 years and had resided in the USA for an average of 16.3 years. We identified several themes. The majority of respondents had limited knowledge about cervical cancer and no knowledge about human papillomavirus (HPV); believed that infections caused by physical trauma, certain sexual activities, and poor hygiene caused cervical cancer; believed that they only needed a Pap smear if they developed symptoms of a pelvic infection; and felt that women who engaged in 'unwise' sexual behaviors, in particular, should receive regular Pap smear exams. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that culturally related beliefs about the etiology of cervical cancer play a role in the decision to obtain Pap smears for Latina immigrants. The findings may help to explain why researchers have found Latino ethnicity to be an independent predictor of Pap smear use. They also suggest that programs designed to improve cervical cancer screening, particularly among Latina immigrants, should stress the nature of HPV transmission, its role in the etiology of cervical cancer, and the importance of Pap smear screening in the absence of symptoms.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Utilization of health care services by immigrants and other ethnic/cultural groups in Ontario.

OBJECTIVES: This study assesses the accessibility of health care services by immigrants and other ethnic/cultural groups in Ontario, using the 1990 Ontario Health Survey. METHODS: The population sample of 38,519 adults aged 16-64 is weighted to represent the entire non-institutionalized population of the province. Outcome measures were whether the study participants visited a general practitioner's office, a specialist's office, or a hospital's emergency department during the past 12 months. RESULTS: The results showed that while the percentages of participants who ever visited a general practitioner's office during the past 12 months were slightly higher in immigrants and other ethnic/cultural groups, the rates of visits to the specialist's office were quite similar, and the rates of hospital emergency department's visits were often lower (except for aboriginals), than for Canadians. These differences in the utilization of health services across different immigrant and ethnic/cultural groups remained unchanged after controlling for health status (as measured by self-reported health problems) and age differences. However, because the sample sizes in some immigrant and ethnic/cultural groups were small, many of the differences were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that while immigrants and other ethnic/cultural groups in Ontario usually had equal access to regular services (e.g., visits to general practitioner's office), they often had lower utilization of hospital emergency departments. However, general purpose surveys have limited utility in assessing reasons of health care utilization amongst different ethnic/cultural groups.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Predicting life satisfaction among adolescents from immigrant families in Norway.

OBJECTIVE: To find out the degree of life satisfaction among adolescents with immigrant background, and the factors that may predict the level of life satisfaction among them. METHOD: Five hundred and six adolescents (mean age = 15.34, SD = 1.67) with immigrant background from Vietnam, Pakistan, Chile and Turkey were recruited from five major Norwegian cities, and were asked to fill in a questionnaire with several measures, including demographic information, life satisfaction, acculturation strategies, ethnic identity and mastery. A control group involving 209 Norwegian youth were also included in the study. RESULTS: On the whole the adolescents with immigrant background were found to be fairly satisfied with their life (M = 3.55, SD = 0.81). Using Socio-Economic Status as covariance, adolescents with immigrant background did not differ from their Norwegian counterparts on life satisfaction level (F = 0.58, p > 0.05). Chileans were found to be the most satisfied group, and Vietnamese the least satisfied. The higher life satisfaction among Chileans compared with the other ethnic groups is viewed as a possible selection bias. While demographic factors accounted for just 4% of the explained variance, personal factors accounted for over 20% of the explained variance. Mastery (beta = 0.39) and ethnic identity (beta = 0.17) were the two most important predictors of life satisfaction. Living in an ethnically homogenous neighbourhood was also found to be related to life satisfaction. Perceived discrimination and integration as an acculturation strategy were not related to life satisfaction. CONCLUSION: The study concludes that helping adolescents with immigrant background to develop a good sense of mastery and a positive ethnic identity will go a long way to boost their life satisfaction.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Determinants of psychological distress over time among older Korean immigrants and Non-Hispanic White elders: evidence from a two-wave panel study.

The purpose of this study is to examine racial/ethnic differences in the change of psychological distress as measured by CES-D over time and its associated factors between older Korean immigrants and non-Hispanic White elders, based on a social stress perspective. Data come from a two-wave panel survey of 172 older Korean immigrants and 157 non-Hispanic White elders, with a follow-up period of 12 to 15 months. The sample was drawn from a three-stage probability sampling method. Ordinary least square regressions in a hierarchical process and change score method were used to analyze the two-wave panel data. Older Korean immigrants reported higher levels of psychological distress than the non-Hispanic White elderly at both Time 1 and Time 2. Changes in self-assessed health status and functional limitations were significantly associated with change in psychological distress for both ethnic groups. Increased social support significantly decreased psychological distress at Time 2, for older Korean immigrants only. This study discusses practice and policy implications for service and interventions for older immigrants to assist their adjustment to a host society.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Violent and accidental mortality among four immigrant groups in Canada, 1970-1972.

For most people immigration to a new country such as Canada entails a positive move and an improvement in life. The many challenges associated with resettlement may, however, lead to insurmountable difficulties, stresses and conflict for a significant number of newcomers. The mortality experience of immigrants, as reflected in cause-of-death statistics, may provide indication of the extent of stress and conflict in their migration experience. This situation is most clearly exhibited in mortality from suicide, homicide, and motor vehicle accidents. In this study, hypotheses concerning immigrant mortality in Canada are developed and tested with a log-linear model for rates pertaining to rare events. Overall, the results give support for the importance of country-of-origin effects in explaining suicide propensities, but not for homicide and motor vehicle accidents mortality. Income discrepancies are a significant determinant of variability in death rates overall, but discrepancies between the immigrants in this study and the Canadian-born are not of much significance. The strongest net effect on the cause-specific death rate is associated with group membership. This effect likely reflects a number of residual unmeasured sources of variation including the influence of the immigrant ethnic community as a source of social support, and the potential confounding effects of migration selectivity.

Accidents↗

PubMed2002

Differences in the sensitisation to ragweed pollen and occurrence of late summer allergic symptoms between native and immigrant workers of the nuclear power plant of Hungary.

Regular medical screening including allergic symptoms of workers of the Nuclear Power Plant in Paks, Hungary, offered a unique opportunity to study the influence of the environmental factors on the development of allergy. The city Paks has been one the areas of the country most heavily exposed to ragweed pollen allergens. The occurrence and extent of sensitisation assessed by skin prick test to common allergens and prevalence of seasonal and perennial allergic symptoms were compared among 880 workers (695 immigrants, 185 natives) with self-reported allergic symptoms. The percentage of sensitised people against common allergens (ragweed, grass, D. pteronyssinus) was almost the same in the natives and immigrants. When, however, the strength of sensitivity to ragweed was determined by quantitative skin prick test and specific IgE determination, significantly (P<0.0001) more immigrants (69%) than native workers (20%) exhibited high sensitivity to ragweed and the titres of specific IgE antibodies was also significantly (p < 0.0001) higher in the former group. Similar differences were found in the occurrence and type of allergic symptoms. Seasonal symptoms alone occurred in 69% and 38% of the immigrant and native workers (p < 0.0001). This difference was mostly due to those with late summer symptoms characteristic to ragweed allergy. These symptoms occurred in 57% of the immigrant workers, much more frequently (p < 0.0001) than in the natives (18%). Our findings indicate that the length of exposure to an inhalant allergen does affect the extent of sensitisation to ragweed allergen and markedly influences the clinical symptoms that develop in the ragweed allergic patients upon allergen exposure. It can be assumed that the natives who have been living with ragweed pollen for a long time (that is were exposed to natural immunotherapy), developed a natural tolerance to it.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995

Effect of United States residence on birth outcomes among Mexican immigrants: an exploratory study.

Adverse pregnancy outcomes such as low birth weight are increased among US-born mothers of Mexican descent compared with immigrant mothers born in Mexico. It is unknown whether adverse reproductive outcomes change among Mexican immigrants after only 5 years of US residence. The authors conducted a study of 1,114 Mexican immigrant mothers and their infants in two California counties. The relation between US residence status and birth outcomes was examined, controlling for sociodemographic factors and maternal behaviors. Long-term immigrants who have lived in the United States for more than 5 years were more likely to deliver preterm infants (odds ratio (OR) = 1.9, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1-3.3) and low birth weight infants (OR = 1.5, 95% CI 0.8-2.7) than newcomers who have lived in the United States for 5 years or less. Long-term immigrants had higher parity, more pregnancy complications, and fewer planned pregnancies, and were more likely to smoke than newcomers. After controlling for confounders, the effect of residence status on preterm delivery was of borderline significance (adjusted OR = 1.8, 95% CI 1.0-3.2). Pregnancy complications was an intervening variable between residence status and preterm delivery. Length of US residence is associated with an increase in low birth weight via a decrease in gestational age rather than intrauterine growth retardation.

Birth Weight↗

PubMed1994

Immigration of Ethiopians with typhoid fever to Israel: apparent lack of influence on the local population.

The epidemiology of typhoid fever in Western countries may be affected by immigration from developing countries. We studied the immigration of Ethiopian Jews to Israel to find the effects of an influx of many individuals infected with typhoid into an area with a low incidence of the disease. Typhoid fever affected 204 Israelis and 121 (1.1%) of 10,654 Ethiopian immigrants during the period of 1984-1985. Of those Ethiopian cases, 107 occurred during a 3-month period. During the 5 months following that 3-month period, there was no increase in the number of cases of typhoid among Israelis. Although after that time there was a local waterborne outbreak of typhoid that affected 83 Israelis, no Ethiopians resided in the area where the outbreak occurred; therefore, we concluded that these 83 cases of typhoid fever were not related to the immigration of Ethiopians into Israel. In fact, if those 83 cases were excluded from the statistical analysis, there was no increase in the occurrence of typhoid during the 2-year period studied. Therefore, the immigration of many people with typhoid into an area of low incidence does not necessarily confer a risk of infection to the local population.

Emigration and Immigration↗

PubMed2002

'Avoidable' mortality among immigrants in Sweden.

BACKGROUND: The concept of studying 'avoidable' mortality as an indicator of the outcome of health care has been applied mainly in studies of time-trends and geographical and socio-economic variation. METHODS: In this study, indicators of 'avoidable' mortality among immigrants in Sweden have been studied. Comparisons of death rates among immigrants and those born in Sweden were made using a linkage of the Population Census and the Cause of Death Register, nationwide sources. RESULTS: For a group of health policy indicators, such as liver cirrhosis and malignant neoplasms of the trachea, bronchus and lung, death rates were about 40-100% higher among immigrants from other Nordic countries, Yugoslavia and Eastern Europe than among the Swedish born population. For causes of death considered amenable to medical care intervention there were, however, small differences. For some conditions, such as cerebrovascular disease, malignant neoplasms of colon and rectum, chronic bronchitis and emphysema, high death rates were found among immigrants from other Nordic countries. For immigrants from other countries, there were no high death rates based on medical care indicators when compared to the Swedish-born population. CONCLUSION: There were few indications of inequity reflected in the mortality outcome of medical care. The variation found in death rates from health policy indicators may reflect differences in smoking and alcohol habits.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

English language skills, ethnic concentration, and household composition: older Mexican immigrants.

OBJECTIVES: The authors examine the living arrangements of older Mexican immigrants to demonstrate how the formation of complex households is related to English language proficiency. Specifically, they examine whether the ability to use the English language is a determinant of an older Mexican immigrant persons' capacity to maintain residential independence. They also examine how living in communities with a relatively high proportion of Hispanic persons impacts household structure. METHODS: Data from the 1990 U.S. Census of Population are used to evaluate multilevel multinomial logistic regression models of living arrangements among older Mexican immigrants. RESULTS: The authors found that strong English language skills increase the likelihood of living independently and increase the likelihood of being the head of a household. They also found that living in an area with a relatively high proportion of Hispanic persons increases the likelihood that older Mexican immigrants will live independently as compared with living with others without headship. Finally, interaction models were examined, demonstrating that living in a community with a relatively high proportion of Hispanics reduces the strength of the relationship between English language proficiency and living arrangement outcomes for older Mexican immigrants. DISCUSSION: The authors discuss the implications of their findings and point out possible avenues for further research.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2003

Meaning and knowledge of health among older adult immigrants from Russia: a phenomenological study.

This qualitative study examined the meaning and knowledge of health among older adult Russians who have immigrated to the US. Prior studies have shown that this group has a high rate of chronic disease and low compliance with preventative health behaviors. However, little is known about the knowledge and beliefs about health among Russian immigrants that may be driving their low participation in health behaviors. The goal of the present study was to use a phenomenological approach to gain a deeper understanding of the experience of health in this population. Twelve older adults were recruited through English language classes, and interviewed in focus groups about their experience with health and health care. Qualitative analysis using the phenomenological approach revealed a number of important health themes: participants (1) define health as the absence of disease, (2) feel distrust toward media information about health, (3) experience alienation from their current health care system, and (4) experience a sense of stress and helplessness in the US because they do not understand the English language or the US health care system. These themes may underlie the immigrants' lack of participation in health practices and in seeking out information about health. Information about the Russian immigrants' knowledge about health behavior is also reported. This study represents a first step toward better understanding the barriers facing older adult Russian immigrants in learning about and practicing health behaviors. The study also draws attention to the ways in which beliefs about health may impact health behavior.

Aged↗

PubMed2004

Cancer mortality among Japanese immigrants and their descendants in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, 1999-2001.

BACKGROUND: Only a few studies on the mortality of Japanese immigrants have been conducted in Brazil despite a large population of Japanese immigrants and their different environment and lifestyle from Japanese living in Japan. METHODS: To compare cancer mortality between Japanese in Japan and Japanese immigrants or Brazilians in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, we obtained official death certificates registered during 1999-2001. The standardized mortality ratio (SMR) or the standardized proportional mortality ratio (SPMR) of major cancer sites was calculated for the first generation of Japanese immigrants to Brazil (Japan-born), their Brazil-born Japanese descendants, and native Brazilians using mortality data of Japanese in Japan as a standard. RESULTS: The SMRs of stomach and colorectal cancer did not differ between the Japan-born residents of Brazil and the native Japanese, but significantly low SMRs were found among the native Brazilians. Compared with the native Japanese, we observed significantly lower SMRs for liver, gallbladder and lung cancer and significantly higher SMRs for prostate, cervical, and brain and nervous system cancer among both the Japan-born residents of Brazil and the Brazilians. Generally, the SPMR results were similar to those of the SMRs. Significantly high SPMRs for breast and uterine cancer were found for both the Japan- and Brazil-born residents of Brazil, although the Japan-born residents had increased SMRs, but not significantly so. CONCLUSIONS: We confirmed the different cancer mortality pattern in the Japanese immigrants from that in Japanese in Japan, thus demonstrating the relative importance of the environment in the development of cancer.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995

Radiocesium body burdens in immigrants to Israel from areas of the Ukraine, Belarus and Russia near Chernobyl.

Of the 500,000 immigrants from the former Soviet Union who came to Israel during 1990-1993, about 100,000 are estimated to have come from radiocontaminated areas near Chernobyl. These people were subject to chronic uptake of environmental radiocesium over protracted periods. During October-November 1991, a joint Israeli-Canadian investigation measured radiocesium body burdens in immigrants to Israel from the Ukraine, Belarus, and the southern Russian republic in order to provide factual information on radiocesium levels to concerned immigrants and to relate the body burdens to the geographic area of residence before coming to Israel. Assessments were made of 137Cs body burdens in 1,228 volunteer men, women, and children. These measurements were accompanied by medical assessments based on clinical histories and examinations. Radiocesium levels were strongly dependent on the duration of residence in Israel, with the highest levels being found in the most recent immigrants. The maximum level, extrapolated back to the time of leaving the former Soviet Union, was estimated to be about 0.83 kBq (10.3 Bq kg-1). Of the most recent immigrants from the Kiev region (< 101 days in Israel), only 15% had back extrapolated body burdens > 50 Bq, whereas 53% of those coming from Gomel and other towns in the contaminated zones (> 3.7 x 10(10) Bq km-2 of radiocesium) had detectable levels > 50 Bq. People coming from the latter region had significantly higher body burdens as compared to those from the former, in accordance with the higher degree of ground radiocesium contamination reported for the latter region. Women and children showed considerably lower total radiocesium content in comparison to men. All radiocesium body burdens at the time of measurement were too low to be of health concern.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Violence exposure, posttraumatic stress disorder, and depressive symptoms among recent immigrant schoolchildren.

OBJECTIVE: Many recent immigrant children are at risk for violence exposure and related psychological distress resulting from experiences before, during, and after immigration. This study examines the rates of violence exposure and associated symptoms among recent immigrant children in Los Angeles. METHOD: 1,004 recent immigrant schoolchildren (aged 8-15 years) were surveyed about their prior exposure to violence and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. Participants included children whose native language was Spanish, Korean, Russian, or Western Armenian. RESULTS: Participants reported high levels of violence exposure, both personal victimization and witnessing violence, in the previous year and in their lifetimes. Thirty-two percent of children reported PTSD symptoms in the clinical range, and 16% reported depressive symptoms in the clinical range. Although boys and older children were more likely to have experienced violence, girls reported more PTSD and depressive symptoms. Linear multiple regressions revealed that PTSD symptoms were predicted by both recent and lifetime violence exposure (p values < .001 and p < .05, respectively), when depressive symptoms and gender were controlled. On the other hand, depressive symptoms were predicted by recent victimization only (p < .001) when PTSD and gender were controlled. CONCLUSION: These findings document the need for interventions addressing the psychological sequelae of violence exposure in immigrant children.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Prevalence and description of selective mutism in immigrant and native families: a controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the incidence of selective mutism (SM) in West Jerusalem's state preschools and evaluate social anxiety/phobia disposition (SAP), social competence (SC), markers of neurodevelopmental delay/disorder (NDD), mothers' psychological adjustment, and marital conflict in immigrant and native children with SM and their matched controls. METHOD: Mothers of 9 immigrant and 10 native children with SM and their matched controls completed questionnaires evaluating themselves, their marriages, and their children. RESULTS: A response rate of 30% (19/64) was obtained. The general prevalence of SM was 0.76%, while the rate among immigrants was 2.2%. Except for mothers' adjustment, all immigrant/native group effects were significant. There were significant interactions between the SM/control and immigrant/native groups for SAP, NDD, and SC. Immigrant children with SM had higher SAP and SC scores and lower NDD scores than native children with SM. CONCLUSIONS: This study distinguished between homogenous (socially anxious) and comorbid children with SM. In this sample, the disorder appeared to be associated with a combination of a specific diathesis (SAP) with intrinsic (NDD) and/or environmental (family immigration) vulnerabilities. Marital discord appeared to be a general risk factor for SM.

Anxiety Disorders↗