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Abraham O, Agoke A, Sanuth K, Fapohunda A, Ogunsanya M, Piper M, Trentham-Dietz A. Need for Culturally Competent and Responsive Cancer Education for African Immigrant Families and Youth Living in the United States. JMIR Cancer 2024; 10:e53956. [PMID: 38447129 PMCID: PMC10955401 DOI: 10.2196/53956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer prevalence data for Black Americans is monolithic and fails to consider the diverse cultures and backgrounds within that community. For instance, African immigrants constitute a meaningful proportion of the foreign-born Black immigrants in the United States (42%), but the prevalence of cancer in the African immigrant community itself is unknown. Therefore, without accurate cancer prevalence data, it is impossible to identify trends and other key factors that are needed to support the health of African immigrants and their children. Moreover, it is impossible to understand how the culture and language of subgroups influence their cancer-related health behavior. While research in this area is limited, the existing literature articulates the need for culturally responsive and culturally tailored cancer education for African immigrants and their adolescent children, which is what we advocate for in this viewpoint paper. Existing projects demonstrate the feasibility of culturally responsive programming for adults; however, few projects include or focus on adolescents or children born to African immigrants. To best meet the needs of this understudied community, researchers must use culturally competent interventions alongside familiar, usable media. For adolescents, technology is ubiquitous thus, the creation of a culturally tailored digital intervention has immense potential to improve cancer awareness and prevention for youth and their community. More research is needed to address many of the existing research gaps and develop a rich understanding of the unique experience of cancer among African immigrant families that can be used to inform intervention development. Through this viewpoint, we review the current state of cancer-related research among African immigrant families in the United States. In this paper, we acknowledge the current knowledge gaps and issues surrounding measurement and then discuss the factors relevant to designing an educational intervention targeted at African immigrants and the role of African immigrant youth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olufunmilola Abraham
- Social and Administrative Sciences Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Adeola Agoke
- African Cultural Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Kazeem Sanuth
- National African Language Resource Center, Indiana University Bloomington, Bloomington, IN, United States
| | - Abimbola Fapohunda
- Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Motolani Ogunsanya
- College of Pharmacy, Health Sciences Center, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
| | - Megan Piper
- Department of Medicine and Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Amy Trentham-Dietz
- Population Health Sciences and Carbone Cancer Center, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
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Chebli P, Strayhorn SM, Hanneke R, Muramatsu N, Watson K, Fitzgibbon M, Abboud S, Molina Y. A Scoping Review of Cancer Interventions with Arab Americans. J Immigr Minor Health 2024; 26:200-226. [PMID: 37266829 DOI: 10.1007/s10903-023-01497-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
This scoping review provides an overview of cancer interventions implemented with Arab Americans across the cancer control continuum, including an examination of outcomes and implementation processes. The search strategy included database searching and reviewing reference lists and forward citations to identify articles describing interventions with Arab adults living in the US, with no restrictions on date of publication or research methodology. The review included 23 papers describing 12 unique cancer interventions. Most interventions focused on individual-level determinants of breast and cervical cancer screening; used non-quasi-experimental research designs to evaluate intervention effectiveness; and demonstrated improvements in short-term cancer screening knowledge. Implementation processes were less commonly described. Most interventions were culturally and linguistically tailored to communities of focus; were delivered in educational sessions in community settings; engaged with the community mostly for recruitment and implementation; and were funded by foundation grants. Suggestions for research and intervention development are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Perla Chebli
- School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
- NYU Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA.
| | - Shaila M Strayhorn
- Institute for Health Research and Policy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Rosie Hanneke
- Information Services & Research Department at the Library of the Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Naoko Muramatsu
- School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Karriem Watson
- School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Marian Fitzgibbon
- Institute for Health Research and Policy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Sarah Abboud
- College of Nursing, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Yamilé Molina
- School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
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Kizilkaya MC, Kilic S, Dagistanli S, Eren MF, Basaran C, Ohri N, Sayan M. Effectiveness of a telehealth patient education intervention for breast cancer awareness and screening uptake among Afghan refugee women: a cross-sectional survey and feasibility study. EClinicalMedicine 2023; 62:102094. [PMID: 37533413 PMCID: PMC10393532 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.102094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Refugee populations have low levels of cancer awareness, low cancer screening rates, and a high rate of advanced or metastatic cancer at diagnosis. Educational interventions to improve cancer awareness and screening have been successful in other nationality refugee populations but have never been implemented in Afghan refugee populations. We aimed to estimate the level of breast cancer awareness among Afghan refugee women and test the feasibility of a telehealth breast cancer educational intervention to increase breast cancer awareness in this population. Methods A cross-sectional survey of Afghan refugee women residing in Istanbul, Türkiye who had no personal history of breast cancer and who presented to outpatient primary clinics for care between August 1, 2022, and February 10, 2023 was performed. Participant awareness of breast cancer (BC) was assessed using the validated BC awareness tool, Breast Cancer Awareness Measure (BCAM), during a telehealth encounter. After this baseline assessment, a BC educational intervention was administered to each participant during the telehealth encounter. Six months after the initial assessment and education, a follow-up BCAM was administered via telehealth in order to determine the effectiveness of the education intervention. Findings One hundred participants were accrued to the study. Median age was 49 years (range: 40-64). All participants had no formal education, were married, and were not employed. Prior to the educational intervention, BC awareness was low; none of the participants were able to identify some common signs/symptoms and risk factors for BC. Prior to the educational intervention, zero participants had ever had a mammogram or seen a physician for a breast-related concern. Six months after the educational intervention, up to 99 percent of participants (99 of 100 participants) were able to correctly identify common signs or symptoms and risk factors for BC. Six months after the educational intervention, all one hundred participants had accepted the offer of a screening mammogram. Interpretation A telehealth BC education intervention meaningfully increased BC awareness in Afghan refugee women. This increase in BC awareness was associated with a strong increase in completion of BC screening. Further implementation of educational interventions is warranted in order to increase participant awareness and improve screening rates. Funding Dana Farber Cancer Institute Jay Harris Junior Faculty Research Grant.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sarah Kilic
- Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Sevinc Dagistanli
- University of Health Sciences, Kanuni Sultan Süleyman Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Mehmet Fuat Eren
- Marmara University Pendik Education and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Ceren Basaran
- University of Health Sciences, Kanuni Sultan Süleyman Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Nisha Ohri
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Mutlay Sayan
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Racine L, D'Souza MS, Tinampay C. Effectiveness of breast cancer screening interventions in improving screening rates and preventive activities in Muslim refugee and immigrant women: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Nurs Scholarsh 2023; 55:329-344. [PMID: 36199240 DOI: 10.1111/jnu.12818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To systematically assess the effectiveness of breast cancer (BC) interventions in improving breast self-examination (BSE), clinical breast examination (CBE), mammogram screening rates, and preventive activities in Muslim refugee and immigrant women. DESIGN Guided by the Health Belief Model, a mixed method systematic review and meta-analysis was performed using a sequential design. METHODS This study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis statement (PRISMA), the Critical Appraisal Skill Program Checklists, and the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for systematic review and meta-analysis. A systematic search of English-language peer-reviewed articles was undertaken in multiple health and social sciences databases from January 1, 2015, to March 31, 2022. Randomized clinical trials and quasi-experimental studies focused on the uptake of BSE, CBE, and mammograms were selected. RESULTS Fourteen articles were included in the review. Most of the studies relied on quasi-experimental designs and were carried out in the United States of America. The qualitative analysis of BC screening interventions generated three themes: (1) education, (2) access-focused, and (3) cultural and faith-based. The meta-analysis included three randomized control trials and two quasi-experimental studies. The meta-analysis demonstrates the effectiveness of community-led cultural and faith-based interventions in facilitating the completion of CBE and mammography screening. Education on BC and patient navigator interventions are more effectively used in conjunction than standalone interventions, yet community-based cultural and faith-based interventions are the most effective. CONCLUSION This systematic and meta-analysis review provides evidence on the effectiveness of access-focused and cultural and faith-based interventions in improving BC screening in Muslim refugee and immigrant women. Future research should focus on designing and measuring the effectiveness of cultural and faith-based interventions to increase Muslim refugee and immigrant women's BC screening knowledge and practices. CLINICAL RELEVANCE This systematic and meta-analysis review demonstrates the need to explore Muslim refugee and immigrant women's cultural contexts for developing culturally sensitive BC screening interventions. Knowledge and practice of BC and religiosity intersect with financial, geographic, and linguistic barriers to decrease participation in screening and preventive activities in Muslim refugee and immigrant women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Racine
- College of Nursing, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Melba Sheila D'Souza
- School of Nursing, Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Cindy Tinampay
- College of Nursing, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
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Vu M, Besera G, Ta D, Escoffery C, Kandula NR, Srivanjarean Y, Burks AJ, Dimacali D, Rizal P, Alay P, Htun C, Hall KS. System-level factors influencing refugee women's access and utilization of sexual and reproductive health services: A qualitative study of providers' perspectives. Front Glob Womens Health 2022; 3:1048700. [PMID: 36589147 PMCID: PMC9794861 DOI: 10.3389/fgwh.2022.1048700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Refugee women have poor outcomes and low utilization of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, which may be driven by access to and quality of SRH services at their resettled destinations. While healthcare providers offer valuable insights into these topics, little research has explored United States (U.S.) providers' experiences. To fill this literature gap, we investigate U.S. providers' perspectives of healthcare system-related factors influencing refugee women's access and utilization of SRH services. Between July and December 2019, we conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 17 providers serving refugee women in metropolitan Atlanta in the state of Georgia (United States). We used convenience and snowball sampling for recruitment. We inquired about system-related resources, facilitators, and barriers influencing SRH services access and utilization. Two coders analyzed the data using a qualitative thematic approach. We found that transportation availability was crucial to refugee women's SRH services access. Providers noted a tension between refugee women's preferred usage of informal interpretation assistance (e.g., family and friends) and healthcare providers' desire for more formal interpretation services. Providers reported a lack of funding and human resources to offer comprehensive SRH services as well as several challenges with using a referral system for women to get SRH care in other systems. Culturally and linguistically-concordant patient navigators were successful at helping refugee women navigate the healthcare system and addressing language barriers. We discussed implications for future research and practice to improve refugee women's SRH care access and utilization. In particular, our findings underscore multilevel constraints of clinics providing SRH care to refugee women and highlight the importance of transportation services and acceptable interpretation services. While understudied, the use of patient navigators holds potential for increasing refugee women's SRH care access and utilization. Patient navigation can both effectively address language-related challenges for refugee women and help them navigate the healthcare system for SRH. Future research should explore organizational and external factors that can facilitate or hinder the implementation of patient navigators for refugee women's SRH care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milkie Vu
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
- Department of Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Ghenet Besera
- Department of Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Danny Ta
- Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Cam Escoffery
- Department of Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Namratha R. Kandula
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
- Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | | | - Amanda J. Burks
- Department of Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Emory University Physician Assistant Program, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Danielle Dimacali
- Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Pabitra Rizal
- Center for Pan Asian Community Services, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Puspa Alay
- Center for Pan Asian Community Services, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Cho Htun
- Center for Pan Asian Community Services, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Kelli S. Hall
- Heilbrunn Department of Population & Family Health, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
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Shahawy S, Onwuzurike C, Premkumar A, Henricks AA, Simon MA. Perspectives of women of refugee background on healthcare needs in a major urban metropolitan community in the US: A qualitative needs assessment. HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY 2022; 30:e5637-e5646. [PMID: 36111793 DOI: 10.1111/hsc.13989] [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: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to describe the healthcare needs and experiences of women of refugee background in Chicago-home to one of the largest and most diverse refugee populations in the United States. We used a phenomenological study design with a desire-centered rather than damage-centered approach to conduct a series of focus group discussions with 24 women of refugee background in their native languages in Chicago, Illinois between December 2018 and February 2019. Convenience sampling was used to recruit women of refugee background at least 18 years of age living in the Chicago metropolitan area who attended educational women's health workshops at local refugee community centers. An inductive approach to the analysis was used to code transcripts and generate themes. Our study identified four major healthcare priorities for women of refugee background in a major metropolitan area: (1) central and centralised healthcare, (2) continuity of care, (3) trauma-informed care and (4) community engagement and partnerships. The healthcare priorities identified by the participants in this study should inform existing and future healthcare models and clinics providing care for women of refugee background in urban and sub-urban contexts across the United States.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarrah Shahawy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Chiamaka Onwuzurike
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ashish Premkumar
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Anthropology, The Graduate School, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA
| | - Andrea A Henricks
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of North Carolina, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Melissa A Simon
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Institute for Public Health and Medicine (IPHAM) - Center for Health Equity Transformation, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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Kizilkaya MC, Kilic SS, Bozkurt MA, Sibic O, Ohri N, Faggen M, Warren L, Wong J, Punglia R, Bellon J, Haffty B, Sayan M. Breast cancer awareness among Afghan refugee women in Turkey. EClinicalMedicine 2022; 49:101459. [PMID: 35747185 PMCID: PMC9168491 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2022.101459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Background Refugees and asylum-seekers have lower levels of cancer awareness and this contributes to low rates of screening and more advanced cancers at diagnosis, compared to non-refugee populations, due largely to reduced access to medical information and care. The global Afghan refugee population is rapidly increasing with the ongoing Afghan political crisis. The present study investigates breast cancer (BC) awareness among Afghan refugee women. METHODS A cross-sectional survey of Afghan refugee women residing in Turkey was performed in September 2021. A validated BC patient awareness assessment, the Breast Cancer Awareness Measure (BCAM), was used to assess participants' knowledge of seven domains of BC: symptoms, self-examination, ability to notice breast changes, age-related risk of BC, urgency of addressing changes in the breast, BC risk factors, and BC screening. BCAM was translated into patients' native language and administered verbally by a physician with the assistance of an official interpreter. Routine statistical methods were employed for data analysis. FINDINGS A total of 430 patients were recruited to the study. The response rate was 97·7% (420 patients). The median participant age was 35 years (range: 18 to 68 years). The majority of participants (84%) had no formal education. Most participants (96%) were married, and most (95%) were not employed. Awareness of warning signs of BC was low: only seven to 18% of participants recognized 11 common warning signs of BC. Participant use of breast self-exam (BSE) was low, with 82% of participants stating they rarely or never complete BSE. Zero of 420 patients reported ever seeing a physician for a change in their breasts. Awareness of risk factors for BC was also low: only 15% of participants recognized increasing age as a risk factor for BC, and other risk factors were only recognized by four to 39% of participants. INTERPRETATION BC awareness among Afghan refugee women is critically low. There is an urgent need to target this population for practical interventions to increase BC awareness, in addition to screening and earlier diagnosis. Evidence-based interventions include educational sessions in patients' native language and use of BSE and clinical breast examination for screening. FUNDING American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) - Association of Residents in Radiation Oncology (ARRO) Global Health Scholar Grant, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Jay Harris Junior Faculty Research Grant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehmet Celal Kizilkaya
- Kanuni Sultan Süleyman Training and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Turkey
| | | | - Mehmet Abdussamet Bozkurt
- Kanuni Sultan Süleyman Training and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Osman Sibic
- Kanuni Sultan Süleyman Training and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Nisha Ohri
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, United States
| | - Meredith Faggen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street. ASB1 - L2, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Laura Warren
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street. ASB1 - L2, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Julia Wong
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street. ASB1 - L2, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Rinaa Punglia
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street. ASB1 - L2, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Jennifer Bellon
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street. ASB1 - L2, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Bruce Haffty
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, United States
| | - Mutlay Sayan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street. ASB1 - L2, Boston, MA 02115, United States
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P Iqbal M, Walpola R, Harris-Roxas B, Li J, Mears S, Hall J, Harrison R. Improving primary health care quality for refugees and asylum seekers: A systematic review of interventional approaches. Health Expect 2021; 25:2065-2094. [PMID: 34651378 PMCID: PMC9615090 DOI: 10.1111/hex.13365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background It has been widely acknowledged that refugees are at risk of poorer health outcomes, spanning mental health and general well‐being. A common point of access to health care for the migrant population is via the primary health care network in the country of resettlement. This review aims to synthesize the evidence of primary health care interventions to improve the quality of health care provided to refugees and asylum seekers. Methods A systematic review was undertaken, and 55 articles were included in the final review. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews was used to guide the reporting of the review, and articles were managed using a reference‐management software (Covidence). The findings were analysed using a narrative empirical synthesis. A quality assessment was conducted for all the studies included. Results The interventions within the broad primary care setting could be organized into four categories, that is, those that focused on developing the skills of individual refugees/asylum seekers and their families; skills of primary health care workers; system and/or service integration models and structures; and lastly, interventions enhancing communication services. Promoting effective health care delivery for refugees, asylum seekers and their families is a complex challenge faced by primary care professionals, the patients themselves and the communication between them. Conclusion This review highlights the innovative interventions in primary care promoting refugee health. Primary care interventions mostly focused on upskilling doctors, with a paucity of research exploring the involvement of other health care members. Further research can explore the involvement of interprofessional team members in providing effective refugee/migrant health. Patient or Public Contribution Patient and public involvement was explored in terms of interventions designed to improve health care delivery for the humanitarian migrant population, that is, specifically refugees and asylum seekers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maha P Iqbal
- School of Population Health, UNSW Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ramesh Walpola
- School of Population Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ben Harris-Roxas
- School of Population Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,South Eastern Sydney Research Collaboration Hub (SEaRCH), Population and Community Health, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jiadai Li
- School of Population Health, UNSW Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Stephen Mears
- Hunter New England Medical Library, New Lambton, New South Wales, Australia
| | - John Hall
- School of Population Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Reema Harrison
- Centre for Health Systems and Safety Research, Australian Institute of Health Innovation; Level 6, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Fang CY, Ragin CC. Addressing Disparities in Cancer Screening among U.S. Immigrants: Progress and Opportunities. Cancer Prev Res (Phila) 2021; 13:253-260. [PMID: 32132119 DOI: 10.1158/1940-6207.capr-19-0249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Revised: 09/08/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The United States is home to 47 million foreign-born individuals, which currently represents over 14% of the U.S. population. With greater length of U.S. residence, immigrants experience increased risk for chronic disease including selected cancers; yet, they are less likely to access preventive health care services and undergo cancer screening. As a result, there have been concerted efforts to address disparities in cancer screening in immigrant populations. This minireview describes current progress in promoting participation in cancer screening among U.S. immigrants and explores potential opportunities for improving impact. Of the 42 studies included in the review, the majority targeted Asian and Latino immigrant populations and included some form of culturally specific educational programming, often delivered in-person by community health workers and/or using a multimedia format. Twenty-eight of the 42 studies also offered navigation assistance to help overcome logistical and access barriers to care, and these studies yielded somewhat greater increases in screening. Yet, despite considerable effort over the past 20+ years, screening rates remain well below national goals. Opportunities to harness digital health tools to increase awareness and engagement, evaluating nonclinic-based screening paradigms to promote greater participation, and increasing efforts to address the needs of other immigrant subgroups are likely to have beneficial outcomes. Together, these strategies may help reduce inequities in access and uptake of cancer screening in U.S. immigrant populations.See all articles in this Special Collection Honoring Paul F. Engstrom, MD, Champion of Cancer Prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn Y Fang
- Cancer Prevention and Control Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
| | - Camille C Ragin
- Cancer Prevention and Control Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Nelson HD, Cantor A, Wagner J, Jungbauer R, Quiñones A, Stillman L, Kondo K. Achieving Health Equity in Preventive Services: A Systematic Review for a National Institutes of Health Pathways to Prevention Workshop. Ann Intern Med 2020; 172:258-271. [PMID: 31931527 DOI: 10.7326/m19-3199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Disadvantaged populations in the United States experience disparities in the use of preventive health services. PURPOSE To examine effects of barriers that create health disparities in 10 recommended preventive services for adults, and to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions to reduce them. DATA SOURCES English-language searches of Ovid MEDLINE, PsycINFO, SocINDEX, and the Veterans Affairs Health Services database (1 January 1996 to 5 July 2019); reference lists. STUDY SELECTION Trials, observational studies with comparison groups, and systematic reviews of populations adversely affected by disparities that reported effects of barriers on use of any of the 10 selected preventive services or that reported the effectiveness of interventions to reduce disparities in use of a preventive service by improving intermediate or clinical outcomes. DATA EXTRACTION Dual extraction and assessment of study quality, strength of evidence, and evidence applicability. DATA SYNTHESIS No studies reported effects of provider-specific barriers on preventive service use. Eighteen studies reporting effects of patient barriers, such as insurance coverage or lack of a regular provider, on preventive service use had mixed and inconclusive findings. Studies of patient-provider interventions (n = 12), health information technologies (n = 11), and health system interventions (n = 88) indicated higher cancer screening rates with patient navigation; telephone calls, prompts, and other outreach methods; reminders involving lay health workers; patient education; risk assessment, counseling, and decision aids; screening checklists; community engagement; and provider training. Single studies showed that clinician-delivered and technology-assisted interventions improved rates of smoking cessation and weight loss, respectively. LIMITATION Insufficient or low strength of evidence and applicability for most interventions except patient navigation, telephone calls and prompts, and reminders involving lay health workers. CONCLUSION In populations adversely affected by disparities, patient navigation, telephone calls and prompts, and reminders involving lay health workers increase cancer screening. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE National Institutes of Health Office of Disease Prevention through an interagency agreement with the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (PROSPERO: CRD42018109263).
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi D Nelson
- Pacific Northwest Evidence-based Practice Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon (H.D.N., A.C., J.W., R.J., L.S.)
| | - Amy Cantor
- Pacific Northwest Evidence-based Practice Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon (H.D.N., A.C., J.W., R.J., L.S.)
| | - Jesse Wagner
- Pacific Northwest Evidence-based Practice Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon (H.D.N., A.C., J.W., R.J., L.S.)
| | - Rebecca Jungbauer
- Pacific Northwest Evidence-based Practice Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon (H.D.N., A.C., J.W., R.J., L.S.)
| | - Ana Quiñones
- Oregon Health & Science University-Portland State University, Portland, Oregon (A.Q.)
| | - Lucy Stillman
- Pacific Northwest Evidence-based Practice Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon (H.D.N., A.C., J.W., R.J., L.S.)
| | - Karli Kondo
- Portland VA Health Care System and Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon (K.K.)
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