Translation and validation of the East Asian Acculturation Measure (EAAM) among Myanmar migrants in Thailand

Background

Acculturation provides a framework for exploring the health behaviors of ethnic minority or cultural groups. Research on the acculturation level and patterns of Myanmar migrants is crucial since there is ample evidence that acculturation promotes health-promoting behaviors. However, no Myanmar version has undergone cross-cultural validation.

Objective

This study aimed to translate the original East Asian Acculturation Measure (EAAM) into the Myanmar version (EAAM-M) and investigate its psychometric properties.

Methods

The validation study was conducted on a sample of 200 Myanmar migrants in three factories in Bangkok, Thailand, by a multistage random sampling method from August to September 2023. Brislin's back translation technique was applied to convert the original EAAM into its modified version, EAAM-M. The reliability, content validity, and construct validity of the EAAM-M were examined, and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was employed to test the appropriateness of the model that underpins the EAAM-M structure.

Results

The average age of the participants was 38.39 years (SD = 5.56), and 68% of participants reported they earned less than 9000 baht. In terms of how long they stayed in Thailand, slightly over half (52.5%) did so for 1-5 years. Nearly half of them (46%) cannot communicate at all regarding their proficiency in speaking Thai. The score regarding the comparability of language and similarity of interpretability between the original EAAM and the EAAM-M was satisfactory. The overall alpha reliability of the EAAM-M was 0.76. Based on the CFA, the measurement model was well fit, with acceptable goodness-of-fit values (Chi-square test of model fit (p = 0.05), CMIN/df = 1.70 (χ2 = 624.931, df = 366), RMSEA = 0.02, CFI = 0.98, and SRMR = 0.06). The validity and reliability of the factors were affirmed through appropriate factor loadings and satisfactory levels of composite reliability (0.942) and average variance extracted (0.538).

Conclusion

The EAAM-M is a reliable and valid instrument to measure the acculturation patterns of Myanmar migrants. It is beneficial for scholars across various disciplines, including health professionals and nurses, to deliver culturally tailored care for migrants.

The Peculiarities of Metopolophium dirhodum (Walk.) Population Formation Depending on Its Clonal and Morphotypic Organization during the Summer Period

The ecological plasticity of aphid populations is determined by their clonal and morphotypic diversity. Clones will be successful when the development of their component morphotypes is optimized. The purpose of this work was to reveal the peculiarities of clonal composition and the developmental characteristics of different summer morphotypes for the rose-grass aphid, Metopolophium dirhodum (Walk.), which is an important host-alternating cereal pest and a useful model species. During the experiments, aphids were kept under ambient conditions on wheat seedlings at natural temperatures and humidity levels. An analysis of the reproduction of summer morphotypes and the resulting composition of offspring found that variation among the clones and morphotypes, as well as generational effects and an influence of sexual reproduction (and interactions between all factors) influenced the population structure of M. dirhodum. The reproduction of emigrants was less among the clones than that of the apterous or alate exules. The number of offspring produced by apterous exules differed throughout the growing season (generational effects) and between years, with different clones exhibiting different responses. There were dispersing aphids only among the offspring of apterous exules. These results can contribute to future advances in the forecasting and monitoring of aphid populations.

A Scoping Review about Migrants' Oral Health in South-South Contexts

OBJECTIVE

To gather the available scientific evidence about the oral health of migrants in south-south contexts.

METHODS

A scoping review methodology was applied through a comprehensive search in databases of scientific and grey literature: PubMed/Medline, Scopus, LILACS, EMBASE, Google Scholar and the International Centre for Migration, Health and Development. A descriptive analysis of the characteristics of the selected studies was conducted.

RESULTS

The search yielded 23 papers. Seventeen studies (17/23, 73.9%) were conducted on the Asian continent and 91.3% (21/23) were cross-sectional. Studies were focused on oral health problems such as dental caries and periodontal disease with diverse findings when comparing immigrants with natives. Some studies found poor oral health indexes in migrants. Migrants face barriers to dental health services. Other oral health variables addressed in the studies were oral health-related quality of life, beliefs, knowledge and practices in oral health. Determining factors related to oral health were evidenced, such as migration status, sociodemographic, cultural, psychological, living, economic and material conditions, social support, oral health practices and previous oral and general health status. Studies reported conceptual and methodological gaps and limitations that must be considered when interpreting the results.

CONCLUSION

According to the scientific evidence, immigrant populations in south-south migratory contexts show poor oral health indicators, and this translates into social vulnerability in this group. Further research is needed to increase the scientific body about the social and contextual determinants in oral health and understanding of the social construction of this phenomenon.

Association between Birth Region and Time to Tuberculosis Diagnosis among Non-US-Born Persons in the United States

Approximately 90% of tuberculosis (TB) cases among non–US-born persons in the United States are attributable to progression of latent TB infection to TB disease. Using survival analysis, we investigated whether birthplace is associated with time to disease progression among non–US-born persons in whom TB disease developed. We derived a Cox regression model comparing differences in time to TB diagnosis after US entry among 19 birth regions, adjusting for sex, birth year, and age at entry. After adjusting for age at entry and birth year, the median time to TB diagnosis was lowest among persons from Middle Africa, 128 months (95% CI 116–146 months) for male persons and 121 months (95% CI 108–136 months) for female persons. We found time to TB diagnosis among non–US-born persons varied by birth region, which represents a prognostic indicator for progression of latent TB infection to TB disease.

Physical Activity Patterns and Neighborhood Characteristics of First-Generation Latina Immigrants Living in Arizona: Cross-sectional Study

Background

Metabolic diseases, including obesity and type 2 diabetes, are a major health concern for Latina immigrants. Performing regular aerobic physical activity (PA) is a lifestyle behavior associated with the prevention and control of these conditions. However, PA levels of most Latina immigrants are below national guidelines. Neighborhood environmental factors may influence the PA levels of adults, but limited research has explored associations between the neighborhood environment and PA levels among Latina immigrants.

Objective

The objective of this study was to explore the PA patterns of first-generation US Latina immigrants and how neighborhood environmental factors are related to those PA patterns.

Methods

Using a cross-sectional study design, 50 first-generation Latina immigrants completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and the Neighborhood Scales Questionnaire, which assessed 6 perceived neighborhood factors: (1) walking environment, (2) aesthetic quality, (3) safety, (4) violence, (5) social cohesion, and (6) activities with neighbors. Median self-reported metabolic equivalent (MET)-minutes/week of PA were used to summarize domain-specific (ie, work, domestic/household, leisure, and transportation) and intensity-specific (ie, walking, moderate, vigorous, moderate to vigorous) PA patterns. Logistic regression examined associations between neighborhood factors and engaging in leisure-time PA (ie, dichotomous outcome of some versus no leisure-time PA), transportation PA (ie, dichotomous outcome of some versus no transportation PA), and meeting national PA guidelines (ie, dichotomous outcome of meeting versus not meeting guidelines).

Results

Preliminary analyses showed that 10 participants reported excessively high PA levels and 1 participant had incomplete PA data; these women were excluded from analyses based on IPAQ scoring guidelines. The remaining 39 participants (mean age 40.5 years; mean length of US residency 4.6 years) reported a median of 4512 MET-minutes/week of total PA. The majority of PA was acquired through domestic activities (median 2160 MET-minutes/week), followed by leisure-time PA (median 396 MET-minutes/week), transportation PA (median 198 MET-minutes/week), and work PA (0 MET-minutes/week). Intensity-specific PA patterns showed a median of 594 MET-minutes/week of walking activity and 3500 MET-minutes/week of moderate-to-vigorous PA. Logistic regression models indicated that the neighborhood factors of walking environment, aesthetic quality, and safety were positively associated with engaging in leisure-time PA (odds ratios of 5.95, 95% CI 1.49-23.74; 2.45, 95% CI 1.01-5.93; and 3.30, 95% CI 1.26-8.67, respectively) and meeting national PA guidelines (odds ratios of 4.15, 95% CI 1.13-15.18; 6.43, 95% CI 1.45-28.39; and 2.53, 95% CI 1.00-6.36, respectively). The neighborhood factors of violence, social cohesion, and activities with neighbors were not significantly associated with PA outcomes.

Conclusions

Although most participants met national PA guidelines (ie, ≥500 MET-minutes/week of moderate-to-vigorous PA), the majority of their PA was achieved through domestic activities, with limited leisure, transportation, and work PA. Given that leisure-time PA in particular plays a significant role in improving health outcomes, findings suggest that many Latina immigrants could benefit from a leisure-time PA intervention. Such interventions should consider neighborhood environmental influences, as these factors may serve as determinants of PA.

Direct Medical Costs of 3 Reportable Travel-Related Infections in Ontario, Canada, 2012-2014

Immigrants traveling to their birth countries to visit friends or relatives are disproportionately affected by travel-related infections, in part because most preventive travel health services are not publicly funded. To help identify cost-effective policies to reduce this disparity, we measured the medical costs (in 2015 Canadian dollars) of 3 reportable travel-related infectious diseases (hepatitis A, malaria, and enteric fever) that accrued during a 3-year period (2012-2014) in an ethnoculturally diverse region of Canada (Peel, Ontario) by linking reportable disease surveillance and health administrative data. In total, 318 case-patients were included, each matched with 2 controls. Most spending accrued in inpatient settings. Direct healthcare spending totaled $2,058,196; the mean attributable cost per case was $6,098 (95% CI $5,328-$6,868) but varied by disease (range $4,558-$7,852). Costs were greatest for enteric fever. Policies that address financial barriers to preventive health services for high-risk groups should be evaluated.

Incentives for Bushmeat Consumption and Importation among West African Immigrants, Minnesota, USA

The knowledge, attitudes, and practices surrounding bushmeat consumption and importation in the United States are not well described. Focus groups of West African persons living in Minnesota, USA, found that perceived risks are low and unlikely to deter consumers. Incentives for importation and consumption were multifactorial in this community.

Prevalence of Cryptosporidium species among HIV positive asymptomatic and symptomatic immigrant population in Kashmir, India

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Cryptosporidiosis has not been reported as an endemic disease in Kashmir, but high prevalence of Cryptosporidium sp. has been found among asymptomatic (non-diarrheic) HIV positive immigrants in present study. Due to increasing number of HIV positive immigrants in Kashmir, Cryptosporidium may become a public health problem in Kashmir.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 45 stool samples were obtained from symptomatic (diarrheic n = 9) and asymptomatic (non-diarrheic n = 36) patients infected with HIV. The stool samples were concentrated using formalin ethyl acetate concentration technique, stained with modified Kinyoun's cold stain and oocysts were identified by microscopy under 1000 x magnification. It was confirmed by detection of antigens in stool samples by ELISA.

RESULTS

It was established that all the patients studied were carriers of Cryptosporidium. In present study though 80% of patients were asymptomatic (non-diarrheic) and HIV positive which involved non-Kashmiri army personals and travelers (immigrants) but were carriers of Cryptosporidium and 20% of HIV positive patients were emigrants (local Kashmiri traders) who travelled different states of India were having diarrhea (symptomatic) as well as carrier of Cryptosporidium.

CONCLUSION

Though Cryptosporidium infection causes chronic diarrhea but in present study all HIV positive patients screened whether diarrheic or non-diarrheic were positive for Cryptosporidium. To prevent the transmission of Cryptosporidium oocyst in environment and endemic spread of cryptosporidiosis as non-diarrheic HIV positive population may be potential source of infection, obligatory laboratory testing for Cryptosporidium in HIV positive immigrant population like traders and travelers is highly recommended in order to have a better understanding of the cause of spread Cryptosporidium infection in Kashmir.