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Alarcão V, Candeias P, Stefanovska-Petkovska M, Neves J, Pintassilgo S, Machado FL, Santos O, Virgolino A, Santos RR, Heitor MJ, Costa A. Insights from the EQUALS4COVID19 study on migrant mental health in Portugal: a cross-sectional mixed-methods approach. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:2023. [PMID: 39075428 PMCID: PMC11285180 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-19563-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic and related disruptive consequences in the economic, health, and educational sectors have impacted people's lives, contributing to a context of increased economic and social vulnerability. The pandemic has revealed and accentuated social inequalities and discrimination based on racial or ethnic origin. This study aimed to contribute to the promotion of the mental health and well-being of migrant populations living in Portugal via the definition of an analytical framework and recommendations emerging from the EQUALS4COVID19 project. METHODS To gather information on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and resilience determinants among immigrants, a mixed-methods approach was implemented in 2022, combining a cross-sectional survey targeting immigrant adults in Portugal, focus groups with immigrants, focus groups with healthcare professionals, and in-depth individual interviews with stakeholders involved in the implementation of measures related to mental health and well-being during the pandemic. The analysis followed an integrated framework; quantitative data informed the script of qualitative data collection methods, and qualitative analysis informed the reinterpretation of quantitative data. RESULTS The survey with 604 Brazilian and Cape Verdean immigrants revealed that gender (being a woman) was associated with both psychological distress and depression-related symptomatology and that the perception of discrimination was a major risk factor for psychological suffering, while perceived social support and individuals' resilience characteristics were protective factors. Qualitative data provided deeper insights into these findings, revealing the ways mental health is affected by social structures, such as gender and ethnic hierarchies. Migrants tend to work in precarious jobs requiring physical presence, which, together with dense housing conditions, puts them at higher risk of infection. The deterioration of the economic conditions of the general population has also increased the perception of ethnic-racial discrimination, which was found to be related to the increase in insecurity and anxiety-related symptomatology among the migrant population. Newly arrived migrants, with reduced support networks, experienced a greater sense of insecurity as well as concern and anguish regarding relatives who live far away, in their home country. Migrant women reported greater family-related distress, including work-life balance problems. CONCLUSIONS Proposals to address mental health inequalities should be considered in the context of the necessary global changes both at the societal level and in the delivery of mental health services. Additionally, they should be considered with the active involvement of migrants, families, and communities in the design and delivery of mental health promotion and care processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Violeta Alarcão
- Centro de Investigação e Estudos de Sociologia, Iscte - Instituto Universitário de Lisboa, Avenida das Forças Armadas, Lisboa, 1649-026, Portugal.
- Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, Lisboa, 1649-028, Portugal.
- Iscte - Instituto Universitário de Lisboa, Avenida das Forças Armadas, Lisboa, 1649-026, Portugal.
| | - Pedro Candeias
- Centro de Investigação e Estudos de Sociologia, Iscte - Instituto Universitário de Lisboa, Avenida das Forças Armadas, Lisboa, 1649-026, Portugal
- Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, Lisboa, 1649-028, Portugal
- Iscte - Instituto Universitário de Lisboa, Avenida das Forças Armadas, Lisboa, 1649-026, Portugal
| | - Miodraga Stefanovska-Petkovska
- Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, Lisboa, 1649-028, Portugal
| | - Júlia Neves
- Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, Lisboa, 1649-028, Portugal
| | - Sónia Pintassilgo
- Centro de Investigação e Estudos de Sociologia, Iscte - Instituto Universitário de Lisboa, Avenida das Forças Armadas, Lisboa, 1649-026, Portugal
- Iscte - Instituto Universitário de Lisboa, Avenida das Forças Armadas, Lisboa, 1649-026, Portugal
| | - Fernando Luís Machado
- Centro de Investigação e Estudos de Sociologia, Iscte - Instituto Universitário de Lisboa, Avenida das Forças Armadas, Lisboa, 1649-026, Portugal
- Iscte - Instituto Universitário de Lisboa, Avenida das Forças Armadas, Lisboa, 1649-026, Portugal
| | - Osvaldo Santos
- Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, Lisboa, 1649-028, Portugal
- Unbreakable Idea Research, Estrada Nacional 115, Sítio da Caniceira, nº 1, Casarão, Painho, 2550-426, Portugal
| | - Ana Virgolino
- Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, Lisboa, 1649-028, Portugal
| | - Ricardo R Santos
- Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, Lisboa, 1649-028, Portugal
| | - Maria João Heitor
- Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, Lisboa, 1649-028, Portugal
- Psychiatry and Mental Health Department, Hospital Beatriz Ângelo, Loures, Portugal
- Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Saúde (CIIS), Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Laboratório para a Sustentabilidade do Uso da Terra e dos Serviços dos Ecossistemas - TERRA, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Andreia Costa
- Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, Lisboa, 1649-028, Portugal
- Laboratório para a Sustentabilidade do Uso da Terra e dos Serviços dos Ecossistemas - TERRA, Lisboa, Portugal
- Innovation and Development Centre of Lisbon (CIDNUR), Nursing Research, Nursing School of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
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Trivedi P, Yasobant S, Saxena D, Atkins S. Socio-Economic and Health Consequences of COVID-19 on Indian Migrants: A Landscape Analysis. Int J Gen Med 2024; 17:1591-1603. [PMID: 38686039 PMCID: PMC11057631 DOI: 10.2147/ijgm.s456982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has hugely affected the world and human lives, the economy, and lifestyles. The pandemic control measures, such as lockdowns, forced many people to migrate from their destination to their source in various states, leading to increased vulnerability of migrants. The present review aimed to explore the different health, economic, and social impacts on internal migrants of India during the pandemic. The publications on internal migration and COVID-19 from India were retrieved from PubMed and Google Scholar using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A total of 159 articles were extracted, of which 28 were reviewed. The articles published after March 1, 2020, were included in the review, irrespective of the design. Out of 28 articles, only half were original studies; the rest were either perspective, opinion, and review studies or editorial and commentary papers. Depression, anxiety, and stress due to job loss and lockdown were the major health issues documented. There was livelihood disturbance due to loss of income, such as inability to pay rent, loans, borrowing from relatives, and fear of its consequences. The migrants also faced stigma and discrimination from the villagers. The review also highlighted that although the government implemented various schemes to help the migrants, the majority were left out due to the non-availability of identity proof and ration cards. The safeguarding measures for these unregistered migrants must be facilitated to access health, economic, and social protection. Although various publications have focused on the mental health of the migrants, the socio-ecological aspects have been least explored, which calls for further studies. The literature on the impact of COVID-19 on other vulnerable populations like women and children and access to healthcare services is also scant, which needs to be explored further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poonam Trivedi
- Department of Public Health Science, Indian Institute of Public Health Gandhinagar (IIPHG), Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
| | - Sandul Yasobant
- Department of Public Health Science, Indian Institute of Public Health Gandhinagar (IIPHG), Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
- Centre for One Health Education, Research & Development (COHERD), Indian Institute of Public Health Gandhinagar (IIPHG), Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
- School of Epidemiology & Public Health, Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences (DMIMS), Wardha, Maharashtra, India
| | - Deepak Saxena
- Department of Public Health Science, Indian Institute of Public Health Gandhinagar (IIPHG), Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
- Centre for One Health Education, Research & Development (COHERD), Indian Institute of Public Health Gandhinagar (IIPHG), Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
- School of Epidemiology & Public Health, Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences (DMIMS), Wardha, Maharashtra, India
| | - Salla Atkins
- WHO Collaborating Centre on Health in All Policies and the Social Determinants of Health, Health Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institute, Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
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Yamashita T, Quy PN, Nogami E, Seto-Suh E, Yamada C, Iwamoto S, Shimazawa K, Kato K. Depression and anxiety symptoms among Vietnamese migrants in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic. Trop Med Health 2023; 51:59. [PMID: 37908020 PMCID: PMC10617062 DOI: 10.1186/s41182-023-00542-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to examine the mental health status and related factors among Vietnamese migrants in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted an online cross-sectional survey between September 21 and October 21, 2021. Along with Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scores, we collected data on demographics, changes in socioeconomic status due to the pandemic, language proficiency, social support, and health conditions. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify factors related to symptoms of depression and anxiety. Among 621 participants who completed the questionnaire, moderate-to-severe symptoms of depression (PHQ-9 score ≥ 10 points) and mild-to-severe symptoms of anxiety (GAD-7 score ≥ 5 points) were observed in 203 (32.7%) and 285 (45.9%) individuals, respectively. Factors related to depressive symptoms were age (95% confidence interval [CI]=0.89-0.99), pre-existing health conditions (95% [CI]=1.61-3.76), and a low subjective socioeconomic status (95% [CI]=1.64-3.71). Factors related to anxiety symptoms were being single (95% [CI]=1.01-2.93), having pre-existing health conditions (95% [CI]=1.63-3.88), subjective socioeconomic status (95% [CI]=1.87-3.97), and absence of a partner to discuss one's health with (95% [CI]=1.11-2.47). Vietnamese migrants in Japan experienced a decrease in income, worsening working conditions, and poor mental health status during the COVID-19 pandemic. Further investigations are necessary to find an effective way to increase their social support and mitigate socioeconomic adversities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tadashi Yamashita
- Faculty of Nursing, Kobe City College of Nursing, 3-4 Gakuennishi-Machi, Nishi-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 651-2103, Japan.
| | - Pham Nguyen Quy
- Department of Medical Oncology, Kyoto Miniren Central Hospital, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Emi Nogami
- Department of Social Welfare, School of Psychology and Social Welfare, Mukogawa Women's University, Nishinomiya, Japan
| | - Erina Seto-Suh
- Human Rights Research Institute, Kindai University, Higashi Osaka, Japan
| | - Chika Yamada
- Department of Environmental Coexistence, Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Saori Iwamoto
- Faculty of Nursing, Kobe City College of Nursing, 3-4 Gakuennishi-Machi, Nishi-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 651-2103, Japan
| | | | - Kenji Kato
- Faculty of Nursing, Kobe Women's University, Kobe, Japan
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Jing F, Li Z, Qiao S, Ning H, Zhou S, Li X. Association between immigrant concentration and mental health service utilization in the United States over time: A geospatial big data analysis. Health Place 2023; 83:103055. [PMID: 37311276 PMCID: PMC10527759 DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2023.103055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Immigrants (foreign-born United States [US] citizens) generally have lower utilization of mental health services compared with US-born counterparts, but extant studies have not investigated the disparities in mental health service utilization within immigrant population nationwide over time. Leveraging mobile phone-based visitation data, we estimated the average mental health utilization in contiguous US census tracts in 2019, 2020, and 2021 by employing two novel outcomes: mental health service visits and visit-to-need ratio (i.e., visits per depression diagnosis). We then investigated the tract-level association between immigration concentration and mental health service utilization outcomes using mixed-effects linear regression models that accounted for spatial lag effects, time effects, and covariates. This study reveals spatial and temporal disparities in mental health service visits and visit-to-need ratio among different levels of immigrant concentration across the US, both before and during the pandemic. Tracts with higher concentrations of Latin American immigrants showed significantly lower mental health service utilization visits and visit-to-need ratio, particularly in the US West. Tracts with Asian and European immigrant concentrations experienced a more significant decline in mental health service utilization visits and visit-to-need ratio from 2019 to 2020 than those with Latin American concentrations. Meanwhile, in 2021, tracts with Latin American concentrations had the least recovery in mental health service utilization visits. The study highlights the potential of geospatial big data for mental health research and informs public health interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengrui Jing
- Geoinformation and Big Data Research Lab, Department of Geography, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA; Big Data Health Science Center, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA.
| | - Zhenlong Li
- Geoinformation and Big Data Research Lab, Department of Geography, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA; Big Data Health Science Center, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
| | - Shan Qiao
- Big Data Health Science Center, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA; Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
| | - Huan Ning
- Geoinformation and Big Data Research Lab, Department of Geography, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA; Big Data Health Science Center, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
| | - Suhong Zhou
- School of Geography and Planning, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Xiaoming Li
- Big Data Health Science Center, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA; Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
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Wang SM, Kim SH, Choi WS, Lim HK, Woo YS, Pae CU, Bahk WM. The Impact of COVID-19 on Psychiatric Health in the Korean Population. CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE : THE OFFICIAL SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN COLLEGE OF NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 21:410-418. [PMID: 37424410 PMCID: PMC10335912 DOI: 10.9758/cpn.23.1083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2023] [Revised: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has multiple negative impacts on the psychiatric health of both those previously infected and not infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Moreover, the negative impacts of COVID-19 are closely associated with geographical region, culture, medical system, and ethnic background. We summarized the evidence of the impact of COVID-19 on the psychiatric health of the Korean population. This narrative review included thirteen research articles, which investigated the impact of COVID-19 on the psychiatric health of Koreans. COVID-19 survivors were reported to have a 2.4 times greater risk of developing psychiatric disorders compared to members of a control group, and anxiety and stress-related disorders were the most common newly diagnosed psychiatric illnesses. Studies also reported that COVID-19 survivors had a 3.33-fold higher prevalence of insomnia, a 2.72-fold higher prevalence of mild cognitive impairment, and a 3.09-fold higher prevalence of dementia compared to the control group. In addition, more than four studies have highlighted that the medical staff members, including nurses and medical students, exhibit a greater negative psychiatric impact of COVID-19. However, none of the articles investigated the biological pathophysiology or mechanism linking COVID-19 and the risk of diverse psychiatric disorders. Moreover, none of the studies were actual prospective studies. Thus, longitudinal studies are needed to more clearly elucidate the effect of COVID-19 on the psychiatric health of the Korean population. Lastly, studies focusing on preventing and treating COVID-19-associated psychiatric problems are needed to provide a benefit in real clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng-Min Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Psychiatry, Yeouido St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sung-Hwan Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Psychiatry, Yeouido St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Won-Seok Choi
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Psychiatry, Yeouido St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyun Kook Lim
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Psychiatry, Yeouido St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Young Sup Woo
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Psychiatry, Yeouido St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Chi-Un Pae
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Psychiatry, Bucheon St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Korea
| | - Won-Myong Bahk
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Psychiatry, Yeouido St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
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UÇGUN T, AKGÜN ÇITAK E. Mental Health of Migrants in the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review. PSIKIYATRIDE GUNCEL YAKLASIMLAR - CURRENT APPROACHES IN PSYCHIATRY 2023. [DOI: 10.18863/pgy.1082835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
The Covid-19 pandemic has negatively affected the mental health of individuals due to both the process and the restrictions it imposes. Migrants, especially one of the vulnerable groups, have been adversely affected by the pandemic due to both the difficulties brought by the migration itself and the living conditions unsuitable for Covid-19. All these negative situations caused the migrants to experience psychosocial problems and created a threat in terms of mental health. A limited number of studies have been found in the literature on the psychosocial problems and mental health of migrants. The aim of this study is to review the studies on the evaluation of psychosocial problems and mental health of immigrants during the Covid-19 pandemic and to systematically examine the results of these studies. Systematic searches were conducted in “PubMed”, “Web of Science”, “ScienceDirect” and “Scopus” database with using to ‘migrants, migrant workers, Covid-19 pandemic, mental health, psychosocial issues’ keywords and combinations. Seventeen studies were included in the systematic review. The sample size of the studies varies between 10 and 28.853. As a result of the data, it was determined that the most common psychosocial problems of migrants in the Covid-19 pandemic are depression, anxiety, distress, hopelessness, decrease in socioeconomic level, and social isolation. As a result of the study, it was found that many psychosocial problems that migrants experienced during the Covid-19 pandemic negatively affected their mental health. The evidence determined in this study may guide the psychosocial evaluation of migrants in Covid-19 pandemic.
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Sakyi B, Amoako Johnson F. A cross-sectional study of the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on camped refugees in Ghana. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0277515. [PMID: 36449455 PMCID: PMC9710794 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0277515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Vulnerable populations such as camped refugees are often exposed to spread of infectious diseases because of their living conditions, limited resources available to them and exclusion from social services. This study examined the psychological state of camped refugees in Ghana during the COVID-19 pandemic and how their background characteristics predict the severity of the pandemic's psychological impact. It covered 763 refugees aged 15 years and above resident in two (Krisan = 316 and Ampain = 447) camps. Nine COVID-19 Anxiety Scale indicators were used to examine the psychological state of camped refugees. A composite indicator was derived to examine the overall psychological impact. Logistic regression was used to examine the factors that were associated with severe psychological impact. The multivariate analysis revealed that sex of the respondent, marital status and age of head of household were the only socio-demographic factors associated with having a severe psychological impact of the pandemic. There was very strong evidence that respondents who had moderate (OR = 1.74, 95% CI = 1.12, 2.7) and high (OR = 1.66, 95% CI = 1.05, 2.63) knowledge of the disease had increased odds of severe psychological impact. Also, those with moderate (OR = 2.97, 95% CI = 1.78, 4.97) and high (OR = 12.98, 95% CI = 7.86, 21.42) adherence had increased odds of severe psychological impact. None of the pre-existing health conditions and challenges were not significantly associated with severe psychological impact. The limited number of significant socio-demographic covariates suggests that severe psychological impact of the pandemic was a problem in the general population, and thus interventions should target the general population of camped refugees. Also, health education should not only focus on enhancing knowledge and promoting preventive measures but also on managing psychological distress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Sakyi
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Population and Health, College of Humanities and Legal Studies, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Fiifi Amoako Johnson
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Population and Health, College of Humanities and Legal Studies, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Centre for Mixed Migration and Diaspora Studies (CeMMiDS), College of Humanities and Legal Studies, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
- * E-mail:
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Blukacz A, Cabieses B, Obach A, Madrid P, Carreño A, Pickett KE, Markkula N. "If I get sick here, I will never see my children again": The mental health of international migrants during the COVID-19 pandemic in Chile. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0277517. [PMID: 36445885 PMCID: PMC9707751 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0277517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on the mental health of international migrants globally. Chile has managed its response to the pandemic in an ongoing context of social unrest and combined regional migratory and humanitarian crisis. The country's population presents a high prevalence of common mental disorders and a high suicide rate, with limited access to mental healthcare. International migrants in Chile represent 8% of the total population, and although a socioeconomically heterogenous group, they face social vulnerability, a range of mental health stressors and additional barriers to access mental healthcare. This study describes the mental health outcomes, stressors, response, and coping strategies perceived by international migrants during the COVID-19 pandemic in Chile. METHODS AND FINDINGS A qualitative case study was carried out through individual online interviews to 30 international migrants living in Chile during the pandemic and 10 experts of the social and health care sectors. An inductive content analysis was carried out, a process during which the researchers sought to identify patterns and themes derived from the data. Participants experienced mainly negative mental health outcomes, including anxiety and depression symptomatology. Stressors included the virus itself, work, living and socioeconomic conditions, discrimination, fear for their family and distance caring. Institutional responses to address the mental health of international migrants during the pandemic in Chile were limited and participants relied mainly on individual coping strategies. CONCLUSIONS The pandemic can represent an important opportunity to strengthen mental health systems for the general population as well as for population groups experiencing social vulnerability, if the issues identified and the lessons learned are translated into action at national, regional, and international level. Promoting the mental health of international migrants means recognising migration as a social determinant of mental health and adopting a cross-cultural as well as a Human Rights approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Blukacz
- Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana, Instituto de Ciencias e Innovación en Medicina, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Báltica Cabieses
- Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana, Instituto de Ciencias e Innovación en Medicina, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
- * E-mail:
| | - Alexandra Obach
- Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana, Instituto de Ciencias e Innovación en Medicina, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Paula Madrid
- Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana, Instituto de Ciencias e Innovación en Medicina, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Alejandra Carreño
- Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana, Instituto de Ciencias e Innovación en Medicina, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Kate E. Pickett
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Niina Markkula
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
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Khozaei F, Carbon CC, Abd Razak N. Determinants of mental disorders of Afghan migrants during the COVID-19 pandemic. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MIGRATION, HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE 2022; 18:301-314. [DOI: 10.1108/ijmhsc-04-2021-0040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Purpose
Afghan migrants are at an increased risk of mental disorders due to various political, economic and security-associated stressors. COVID-19 has brought extra concerns for this group of migrants around the world. Few studies have examined how the perception of the host society and perceived stress are associated with the mental health of migrants during the COVD-19 pandemic. This study aims to examine the role of perceived justice, freedom and the burden of COVID-19 on experienced stress and depression among Afghan migrants in Iran.
Design/methodology/approach
N = 497 participants representing the Afghan migrant community between 15 and 80 years old participated in the study. The target population was recruited from Afghan migrants residing in Kerman city in Iran, the capital of one of the provinces with the highest number of Afghan migrants in Iran. The participants answered questions on depression, positive mental health and a series of stressors such as perceived justice, freedom and the burden of COVID-19. Data was collected in November and December 2021 during the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Iran.
Findings
The authors found a significant effect of the burden of the COVID-19 pandemic on migrants’ perceived stress and depression. On the other hand, perceptions of justice and freedom in the host country can significantly reduce stress and depression. The results show that stress mediates the effect of justice, freedom and the burden of COVID-19 on depression. In addition, positive mental health moderates the impact of stress on depression.
Originality/value
The current study is one of the pioneering studies that examines the determinants of Afghan migrants’ mental disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic in Iran.
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Alarcão V, Virgolino A, Stefanovska-Petkovska M, Neves J. Exploring the Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Health and Well-Being of Migrant Populations in Europe: An Equity-Focused Scoping Review. Behav Sci (Basel) 2022; 12:bs12100393. [PMID: 36285962 PMCID: PMC9598275 DOI: 10.3390/bs12100393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The pandemic is aggravating health inequalities, particularly mental health inequalities, while revealing the social determinants of these inequalities, including migration as a social determinant that mediates the interaction of social, economic, cultural, institutional, and structural factors with health indicators. Therefore, it is of most relevance to identify the multiple interconnected factors that influence the mental health and well-being of migrant populations. A scoping review was developed to map the research performed in this area and to identify any gaps in knowledge, following the PRISMA extension for scoping reviews. MEDLINE, Scopus, and WHO Global Health research databases on COVID-19 were searched from January 2020 to October 2021. The review followed the inclusion criteria Population/Concept/Context (PCC): Population-Adult International migrants (including refugees, asylum seekers, and undocumented migrants); Concept-determinants of (and factors influencing) mental health and well-being; Context-COVID-19 anywhere in the world. Of the sixty-five selected studies, eleven were from European countries and were the focus of this review with special attention to health inequalities experienced by migrants in Europe. The results cover a diversity of themes related to the effects of COVID-19 on the mental health of migrants (country-level environmental factors, social determinants of mental health, mental health indicators and outcomes), responses (such as solidarity and resilience), populations, and study methods. The evidence found can inform recommendations and interventions focused on health promotion and mitigation of the inequalities accentuated by the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Violeta Alarcão
- Centro de Investigação e Estudos de Sociologia, Iscte—Instituto Universitário de Lisboa, Avenida das Forças Armadas, 1649-026 Lisboa, Portugal
- Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
- Correspondence:
| | - Ana Virgolino
- Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Miodraga Stefanovska-Petkovska
- Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Júlia Neves
- Centro de Investigação e Estudos de Sociologia, Iscte—Instituto Universitário de Lisboa, Avenida das Forças Armadas, 1649-026 Lisboa, Portugal
- Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
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Freedy JR. Curiosity and scholarly endeavors are essential to catalyze human growth, development, and well-being. Int J Psychiatry Med 2022; 57:251-255. [PMID: 35511496 DOI: 10.1177/00912174221095626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- John R Freedy
- Professor of Family Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
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12
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Ghaznavi C, Eguchi A, Tanoue Y, Yoneoka D, Kawashima T, Suzuki M, Hashizume M, Nomura S. Pre- and post-COVID-19 all-cause mortality of Japanese citizens versus foreign residents living in Japan, 2015–2021. SSM Popul Health 2022; 18:101114. [PMID: 35601222 PMCID: PMC9118913 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2022.101114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Cyrus Ghaznavi
- Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
- Medical Education Program, Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, Saint Louis, USA
| | - Akifumi Eguchi
- Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Global Health Policy, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Center for Preventive Medical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yuta Tanoue
- Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Global Health Policy, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Institute for Business and Finance, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Daisuke Yoneoka
- Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Global Health Policy, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Tokyo Foundation for Policy Research, Tokyo, Japan
- Infectious Disease Surveillance Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takayuki Kawashima
- Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Global Health Policy, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Mathematical and Computing Science, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Motoi Suzuki
- Center for Surveillance, Immunization, and Epidemiologic Research, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masahiro Hashizume
- Department of Global Health Policy, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shuhei Nomura
- Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Global Health Policy, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Tokyo Foundation for Policy Research, Tokyo, Japan
- Corresponding author. Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Medicine, Keio University, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan.
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Oliva-Arocas A, Benavente P, Ronda E, Diaz E. Health of International Migrant Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review. Front Public Health 2022; 10:816597. [PMID: 35252094 PMCID: PMC8888537 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.816597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and control measures adopted have had a disproportionate impact on workers, with migrants being a group specifically affected but poorly studied. This scoping review aims to describe the evidence published on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the physical and mental health of migrant workers. METHODS Papers written in English covering physical and mental health among international migrant workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, retrieved from six electronic databases searched on July 31, 2021, were included. A total of 1,096 references were extracted, of which 26 studies were finally included. RESULTS Most of the migrant populations studied were born in Asia (16 of 26) and Latin America (8 of 26) and were essential workers (15 of 26). Few studies described the length of stay in the host country (9 of 26), the legal status of the migrant population (6 of 26), or established comparison groups (7 of 26). Ten studies described COVID-19 outbreaks with high infection rates. Fourteen studies evaluated mental health (anxiety, depression, worries, fears, stress, and post-traumatic stress disorder). Three of the 26 studies presented collateral positive effects of the COVID-19 pandemic because of improved hygiene. CONCLUSION There is a limited number of original publications related to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the physical and mental health of migrant workers around the world. These publications mainly focus on migrants born in Asia and Latin America. The physical, long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has, so far, not been evaluated. The positive collateral effects of improving healthcare conditions for migrant workers should also be further investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Oliva-Arocas
- Department of Community Nursing, Preventive Medicine and Public Health and History of Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - Pierina Benavente
- Pandemic Centre, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Elena Ronda
- Department of Community Nursing, Preventive Medicine and Public Health and History of Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
- CIBER for Epidemiology and Public Health, Health Institute Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Esperanza Diaz
- Pandemic Centre, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Unit for Migration and Health, Norwegian Public Health Institute, Oslo, Norway
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Berardi C, Lee ES, Wechtler H, Paolucci F. A vicious cycle of health (IN)equity: Migrant inclusion in light of COVID-19. HEALTH POLICY AND TECHNOLOGY 2022; 11:100606. [PMID: 35194550 PMCID: PMC8853963 DOI: 10.1016/j.hlpt.2022.100606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Objectives Methods Results Conclusions
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Berardi
- Newcastle Business School, University of Newcastle, 409 Hunter Street, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Eun Su Lee
- Newcastle Business School, University of Newcastle, 409 Hunter Street, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Heidi Wechtler
- Newcastle Business School, University of Newcastle, 409 Hunter Street, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Francesco Paolucci
- Newcastle Business School, University of Newcastle, 409 Hunter Street, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
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