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Bridi L, Albahsahli B, Bencheikh N, Baker DA, Godino JG, O'Laughlin KN, Al-Rousan T. Barriers and facilitators to self-measured blood pressure monitoring among US-resettled Arab refugees with hypertension: a qualitative study. BMC PRIMARY CARE 2023; 24:256. [PMID: 38036967 PMCID: PMC10687832 DOI: 10.1186/s12875-023-02215-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Minoritized communities including refugees are at an increased risk of poorly controlled hypertension. Evidence indicates that self-measured blood pressure monitoring (SMBP) is an effective method to improve blood pressure control in patients with hypertension. However, it has not been studied among refugee populations. The objective of this study is to examine barriers and facilitators to SMBP among Arab refugees resettled in the United States (US) with diagnosed hypertension. METHODS A total of 109 participants were recruited through a Federally Qualified Health Center system that is a major provider of healthcare to refugees in San Diego, California. Participants completed a questionnaire and were interviewed using in-depth, semi-structured interviews. Interviews were transcribed and translated, and data were coded using inductive thematic analysis and organized based on the theory of care-seeking behavior. RESULTS Several barriers to engaging in effective SMBP monitoring were identified. Clinical and sociodemographic barriers included reliance on public monitors and poor hypertension literacy. Psychosocial barriers of affect, norms, and habits included fear and anxiety from hypertension, cultural stigma of illness, and conditional SMBP with symptoms, respectively. Utility psychosocial barriers included lack of SMBP prioritization in treatment and perceived inaccuracy of home monitors. Family members' support with home monitoring served as an important facilitator to SMBP. CONCLUSIONS There are several barriers to effective SMBP among the US-resettled Arab refugee population that may reflect unique cultural and care-seeking behaviors. Tailored public health and clinical interventions are needed to support refugee patients and providers to improve hypertension self-management behaviors for this unique population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lana Bridi
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Behnan Albahsahli
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Nissma Bencheikh
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Dania Abu Baker
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
- School of Social Work, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Job G Godino
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
- Laura Rodriguez Research Institute, Family Health Centers of San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Kelli N O'Laughlin
- Departments of Emergency Medicine and Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Tala Al-Rousan
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA.
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Balza JS, Bikomeye JC, Beyer KMM, Rublee C, Flynn KE. Elevated blood lead levels of refugee children in the United States: a systematic review of recent literature (2011-2021). REVIEWS ON ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 2023; 38:361-383. [PMID: 35443103 DOI: 10.1515/reveh-2022-0015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Lead is an environmental hazard; even small elevations in blood lead level can cause serious negative health effects in children, including irreversible impacts such as learning difficulties, attention disorders, and behavioral issues. Previous research has shown that some groups are at higher risk for lead poisoning including racial/ethnic minorities, those with low economic status, and immigrants, especially refugees. This systematic review explores recent literature studying disparities in lead poisoning in refugee children. Search terms were chosen with the assistance of a medical librarian, and two independent reviewers assessed articles using a PICOS criteria (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, Study Design) following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRIMSA-P) guidelines, a set of evidence-based minimum standards for reporting in systematic reviews. 321 article titles were reviewed, 61 abstracts screened, and 17 methods sections reviewed, ultimately including 13 studies. The studies found a high prevalence of elevated blood lead level among refugee populations when compared to reference populations. Both pre-migration and post-migration factors were identified as contributors to the disparity, and associations were identified between elevated blood lead levels and factors such as country of origin, age, and other health variables. Health providers and resettlement workers should be aware of these disparities and related factors. Testing, care, education and consistent follow-up should be provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna S Balza
- Institute for Health and Equity, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Jean C Bikomeye
- Institute for Health and Equity, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Kirsten M M Beyer
- Institute for Health and Equity, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Caitlin Rublee
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Kathryn E Flynn
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
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Kim W, Kim J, Baltimore K, Kim I. Adaptation of the All Aspects of Health Literacy Scale (AAHLS) for Karen refugees: factor analysis. SOCIAL WORK IN HEALTH CARE 2023; 62:143-161. [PMID: 37036027 DOI: 10.1080/00981389.2023.2199795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Health literacy has been identified as a significant predictor of healthcare utilization among refugee and immigrant communities. Considering its potential impact on their health outcomes, accurately measuring levels of health literacy among limited English proficiency (LEP) populations is an important area of investigation. This study examined the psychometric properties of a modified version of the All Aspects of Health Literacy Scale (AAHLS), based on Nutbeam's model of health literacy, using an exploratory factor (EFA) and confirmatory factor (CFA) analysis among a sample of Karen refugees, an ethnic minority group from Burma. Results of the EFA confirmed a 3-factor model in our sample. CFA results indicated good model fits, demonstrating a promising use of the AAHLS in assessing health literacy among Karen refugees. The findings of this study support the validity of using this measure among this population and suggest some necessary adjustments to incorporate factors unique to the refugee experience that may affect the interpretation and application of items in the AAHLS. Further replication using other LEP samples is necessary to confirm the psychometric properties of the AAHLS and its ability to assess health literacy using Nutbeam's theoretical model of health literacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wooksoo Kim
- The Immigrant and Refugee Research Institute, School of Social Work, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Jangmin Kim
- School of Social Work, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Krisztina Baltimore
- The Immigrant and Refugee Research Institute, School of Social Work, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Isok Kim
- The Immigrant and Refugee Research Institute, School of Social Work, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
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Telehealth's Double-Edged Sword: Bridging or Perpetuating Health Inequities? J Gen Intern Med 2022; 37:2845-2848. [PMID: 35352272 PMCID: PMC8963395 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-022-07481-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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Newly Arrived Migrant Women's Experience of Maternity Health Information: A Face-to-Face Questionnaire Study in Norway. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18147523. [PMID: 34299974 PMCID: PMC8307311 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18147523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Limited understanding of health information may contribute to an increased risk of adverse maternal outcomes among migrant women. We explored factors associated with migrant women's understanding of the information provided by maternity staff, and determined which maternal health topics the women had received insufficient coverage of. We included 401 newly migrated women (≤5 years) who gave birth in Oslo, excluding migrants born in high-income countries. Using a modified version of the Migrant Friendly Maternity Care Questionnaire, we face-to-face interviewed the women postnatally. The risk of poor understanding of the information provided by maternity staff was assessed in logistic regression models, presented as adjusted odds ratios (aORs), with 95% confidence intervals (CI). The majority of the 401 women were born in European and Central Asian regions, followed by South Asia and North Africa/the Middle East. One-third (33.4%) reported a poor understanding of the information given to them. Low Norwegian language proficiency, refugee status, no completed education, unemployment, and reported interpreter need were associated with poor understanding. Refugee status (aOR 2.23, 95% CI 1.01-4.91), as well as a reported interpreter need, were independently associated with poor understanding. Women who needed but did not get a professional interpreter were at the highest risk (aOR 2.83, 95% CI 1.59-5.02). Family planning, infant formula feeding, and postpartum mood changes were reported as the most frequent insufficiently covered topics. To achieve optimal understanding, increased awareness of the needs of a growing, linguistically diverse population, and the benefits of interpretation services in health service policies and among healthcare workers, are needed.
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Han HR, Wu D, Taylor J, Wright R, Abshire M. Consideration of health literacy in implementation science. J Clin Transl Sci 2021; 5:e118. [PMID: 34267945 PMCID: PMC8256314 DOI: 10.1017/cts.2021.775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hae-Ra Han
- Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Deborah Wu
- Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD, USA
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