How do Central American Parents in the United States View the Importance of and Obtain Information About Behaviors Associated with the Risk of Early Childhood Obesity?

Understanding HPV Vaccine Initiation and Intention Among Central American Immigrant Parents in the United States: The Role of Vaccine Literacy and Healthcare Provider Recommendations

Background/Objectives: The HPV vaccine is key to preventing HPV-related cancers, yet vaccination rates are low, particularly among immigrant and ethnic minority groups. This study explored factors influencing HPV vaccine initiation and intention among Central American immigrant parents in the U.S. Methods: A cross-sectional study with parents of children aged 11 to 17 years. Results: Among the 168 parents (53.8% mothers, 46.2% fathers) in this study, 20% reported that their children had initiated the HPV vaccine and 23% of parents of unvaccinated children intended to vaccinate within the next 12 months. Sociodemographic factors, including the parent's gender and length of U.S. residence, were significant predictors of HPV vaccine initiation and intention. Higher vaccine literacy was also a key factor, with parents with higher vaccine literacy scores being more likely to initiate vaccination and express intent to vaccinate their children. HCP communication strongly predicted both vaccine initiation and intention, yet fewer than 30% of parents received HPV vaccine information from a HCP, and less than 28% received a vaccine recommendation. In the multiple logistic regression analysis, receiving HPV vaccine information from a HCP was the strongest predictor of vaccine initiation (AOR = 93.23, 95% CI = 14.50-599.63, p < 0.001), adjusting for other variables. For vaccination intention, significant predictors included the length of U.S. residence (AOR = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.75-0.95, p < 0.01), having a U.S.-born child (AOR = 10.47, 95% CI = 1.51-72.68, p < 0.05), and receiving vaccine recommendation from a HCP (AOR = 14.73, 95% CI = 1.77-122.32, p < 0.05). Conclusions: To improve vaccination rates, interventions should enhance HCP training, strengthen provider-patient communication, and address vaccine literacy through culturally tailored strategies and community engagement.

Exploring Beliefs, Concerns, Prenatal Care Advice, and Sources of Information About Gestational Weight Gain Among Immigrant Central American Pregnant Women in the United States

Gestational weight gain (GWG) is critical for maternal and neonatal health, but excessive GWG can lead to complications such as gestational diabetes, hypertension, and increased obesity risk later in life. Minoritized and immigrant women often face higher risks of excessive GWG. This cross-sectional study assessed Central American women's beliefs and concerns about GWG, the receipt of advice from healthcare providers, and sources of information for healthy weight management during pregnancy. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 93 pregnant women from El Salvador (31.2%), Guatemala (46.2%), and Honduras (22.6%). Most participants were married (91.4%), and 91.2% had household incomes below $40,000. Self-reported pre-pregnancy weight status varied significantly (p = 0.03), with more Guatemalans self-reporting as overweight (34.9%) compared to Salvadorans (10.3%) and Hondurans (19.1%). Beliefs about GWG varied significantly; 72.1% of Guatemalan women accepted "eating for two", while only 31.0% of Salvadorans did (p = 0.002). More Honduran women (90.5%) received weight gain recommendations from healthcare providers than Salvadorans (62.1%) and Guatemalans (60.5%) (p = 0.04). The Internet and family were common information sources on weight management, highlighting the need for culturally tailored health education. This study underscores critical differences in beliefs and access to prenatal care among pregnant Central American immigrant women, emphasizing the importance of culturally competent health education to support healthy pregnancy outcomes.

Brazilian Immigrant Parents' Preferences for Content and Intervention Modalities for the Design of a Family-Based Intervention to Promote Their Preschool-Age Children's Healthful Energy Balance-Related Behaviors

Brazilians are a rapidly growing ethnic immigrant population in the United States (U.S.), and there is a lack of childhood obesity prevention interventions addressing the needs of Brazilian preschool-age children. Using the family ecological model (FEM) as a guide, this developmental cross-sectional study assessed the preferences (content, intervention modality, and language) of 52 individual Brazilian immigrant parents (27 mothers, 25 fathers) for a family-based intervention to promote healthful energy balance-related behaviors (EBRB). Overall, 85% or more of parents reported being interested or very interested in content related to five of the seven assessed EBRBs (increasing fruits and vegetables, reducing unhealthy foods and sugar-sweetened beverages, increasing physical activity, and reducing screen time). Parent-preferred intervention modalities were group sessions delivered by community health workers (CHWs, 86.5%), email (84.6%), and messaging (78.8%), with most parents (71.2%) indicating a preference for content in Portuguese. Interventions integrating multiple components, such as group sessions offered by CHWs and text messaging using SMS and WhatsApp, should be considered. Future steps for intervention development should include investigating different communication channels and their integration into a culturally and linguistically tailored family-based intervention designed to promote healthful EBRBs of preschool-age children in Brazilian families living in the U.S.

Central American Parents' Preferences for Content and Modality for a Family-Centered Intervention to Promote Healthful Energy Balance-Related Behaviors of Their Preschool-Age Children

This formative research used a cross-sectional survey to assess interest in informational content and intervention modalities for the design of an early childhood obesity prevention intervention for Central American families from the Northern Triangle countries (El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras) living in the United States. A total of 74 parents (36 mothers, 38 fathers) with a mean age of 31.6 years (SD = 5.6) completed the survey; 59.5% of whom were born outside of the United States. Although most parents reported being very interested in receiving information related to the seven assessed energy balance-related behaviors, there were significant differences by parents' gender and nativity. Most parents endorsed remote modalities for content delivery via text/SMS, WhatsApp, and e-mail. However, respondents were also receptive to in-person delivery provided by community health workers. There were also significant differences in parents' preferences for intervention modalities by parents' gender and nativity. Future steps should include investigating different intervention modalities and their integration into a linguistic and culturally sensitive family-based intervention to promote healthful energy balance-related behaviors of preschool-age children in Central American families originating from the Northern Triangle countries.