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Fong M, Liu A, Lung B, Alayche I, Sayfi S, Kirenga RY, Chomienne MH, Saad A, Grenier J, Kassam A, Ahmed R, Pottie K. From struggle to strength in African and Middle Eastern newcomers' integration stories to Canada: A participatory health equity research study. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0302591. [PMID: 38687776 PMCID: PMC11060515 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Newcomers (immigrants, refugees, and international students) face many personal, gender, cultural, environmental and health system barriers when integrating into a new society. These struggles can affect their health and social care, reducing access to mental health care. This study explores the lived experiences of African and Middle Eastern newcomers to Ontario, Canada. An understanding of newcomer integration challenges, successes and social justice issues is needed to improve health equity and social services. METHODS In this qualitative study, we used a participatory research approach to collect stories reflecting participants' integration perspectives and experiences. Beginning with our immigrant community network, we used snowball sampling to recruit newcomers, ages 18 to 30, originating from Africa or the Middle East. We used qualitative narrative analysis to interpret stories, identifying context themes, integrating related barriers and facilitators, and resolutions and learnings. We shared our findings and sought final feedback from our participants. FINDINGS A total of 18 newcomers, 78% female and approximately half post-secondary students, participated in the study. Participants described an unknown and intimidating migration context, with periods of loneliness and isolation aggravated by cold winter conditions and unfamiliar language and culture. Amidst the struggles, the support of friends and family, along with engaging in schoolwork, exploring new learning opportunities, and participating in community services, all facilitated integration and forged new resilience. CONCLUSIONS Community building, friendships, and local services emerged as key elements for future immigrant service research. Utilizing a participatory health research approach allowed us to respond to the call for social justice-oriented research that helps to generate scientific knowledge for promoting culturally adaptive health care and access for marginalized populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maggie Fong
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Amy Liu
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Bryan Lung
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ibrahim Alayche
- Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Shahab Sayfi
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ryan Yuhi Kirenga
- The Vulnerability, Trauma, Resilience and Culture Research Laboratory (V-TRaC), University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Marie Hélène Chomienne
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Institut du Savoir Montfort, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ammar Saad
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jean Grenier
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Institut du Savoir Montfort, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Azaad Kassam
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rukhsana Ahmed
- Department of Communication, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, New York, United States of America
| | - Kevin Pottie
- Institut du Savoir Montfort, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Family Medicine, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
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