Barriers to healthcare access for Arabic-speaking population in an English-speaking country

Health Information Technology Use among Foreign-Born Adults of Middle Eastern and North African Descent in the United States

Health information technology (HIT) use among foreign-born adults of Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) descent is understudied. MENA Americans are currently categorized as "White" in the United States (US) on federal forms. Our purpose was to uncover the prevalence of HIT use among MENA immigrants compared to US- and foreign-born White adults before and after adjusting for covariates. The 2011-2018 National Health Interview Survey data (n = 161,613; ages 18 + years) were analyzed. HIT uses evaluated were searching for health information, filling prescriptions, scheduling appointments, and communicating with healthcare providers via email (last 12 months). Crude and multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds of each HIT use (searching for health information, filling prescriptions, scheduling appointments, and/or communicating with healthcare providers via email), and overall use of any HIT before and after adjustment. The most common HIT use was looking up health information (46.4% foreign-born MENA, 47.8% foreign-born White, 51.2% US-born White; p = .0079). Foreign-born adults of MENA descent had lower odds (OR = 0.64; 95% CI = 0.56-0.74) of reporting any HIT use, but no difference in reporting all HIT uses compared to US-born White adults. This is the first study to explore HIT use among MENA Americans. Results contribute to growing body of literature showing the health of MENA Americans differs from White Americans. A separate racial/ethnic identifier is needed to better capture HIT uses among populations of MENA descent.

The Development and Psychometric Testing of the Scale of Cultural Sensitivity of Health Care Professionals in Japan

INTRODUCTION

The development of cultural sensitivity is essential for health care professionals but there are few tools to measure this quality in Japan. The purpose of this study was to develop a scale of cultural sensitivity for Japanese health care professionals and examine its reliability and validity.

METHOD

A draft scale was created through conceptual analysis and a questionnaire was completed by 515 health care professionals and 1,322 college students. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were used to determine suitable scale items and examine model fitness.

RESULTS

The four-factor 18-item scale showed acceptable model fitness. Cronbach's α coefficient exceeded .90 and correlation coefficients for criterion-related validity were over .29. Construct validity was confirmed by the significantly higher score of the cross-culturally experienced groups. The intraclass correlation coefficient was .642 (professionals) and .722 (students).

DISCUSSION

This reliable and valid scale for Japanese health professionals and college students may be used to evaluate training programs to increase their cultural sensitivity.

Patient-oriented educational Sports Medicine YouTube videos in Arabic have higher view counts in the Middle East and North Africa than their English versions

PURPOSE

The present study aims to assess the impact of the local language on the view count of patient-oriented educational Sports Medicine videos in an Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital in the Middle East and North Africa.

METHODS

An observational study on English and Arabic versions of Aspetar's YouTube channel patient-oriented educational video series was conducted in February 2023, comparing the view count and viewer characteristics. Included videos were posted either simultaneously or in English version first, in both languages, and shared on the same media platforms. Collected data of interest included video title, view count in each language, age and sex of the viewers, location, and traffic source.

RESULTS

Eleven videos of the patient-oriented educational video series were included in the present study. Except for one, the view count was significantly higher in the Arabic version of all 11 videos (minimum sevenfold, P = 0.03). Viewers were predominantly males (73.9%) and between 18 and 44 years old (81.1%). Eleven out of 19 countries of the Middle East and North Africa region [11] were among the viewers' top 20 countries. Traffic sources included YouTube search (45.9%), YouTube suggested videos (17%), external sources (14.4%), YouTube browse features (8.5%), and YouTube advertising (6%).

CONCLUSION

Patient-oriented educational Sports Medicine videos in Arabic yield higher view counts than their English version in young adult viewers from 11 countries in the Middle East and Africa among the top 20. Content creation on languages with limited online representation could effectively reach the targeted population by breaking language barriers.

Health information technology use among foreign-born adults of Middle Eastern and North African decent in the United States

Health information technology (HIT) use among foreign-born adults of Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) descent living in America is an understudied population. They are currently categorized as "White" in the United States (US) on federal forms. The purpose was to uncover the prevalence of HIT use among MENA immigrants compared to US- and foreign-born White adults before and after adjusting for other factors. The 2011-2018 National Health Interview Survey data (n = 161,613; ages 18 + years) was analyzed. HIT uses evaluated were searching for health information, filling prescriptions, scheduling appointments, and communicating with healthcare providers via email (last 12 months). Crude and multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds of each HIT use, any HIT use, and all HIT uses before and after adjustment. The most common HIT use was looking up health information, with 46.4% of foreign-born adults of MENA, 47.8% of foreign-born White, and 51.2% of US-born White adults reporting its use (p = .0079). Foreign-born adults of MENA descent had lower odds (OR = 0.64; 95%CI = 0.56-0.74) of reporting any HIT use, but no difference in reporting all HIT uses compared to US-born White adults in adjusted models. This is the first study to explore HIT use among Americans of MENA descent. Patterns of HIT use among adults of MENA descent differ from White adults. Results contribute to growing body of literature showing the health of Americans of MENA descent differs from White Americans. A separate racial/ethnic identifier is needed to better capture HIT uses among populations of MENA descent.

Perceived benefits of cochlear implants by parents: expectations, decision-making process, and barriers to care

BACKGROUND

Identifying predictive factors of the cochlear implant outcomes in pediatric patients is critical in guiding tailored rehabilitation programs. The study aimed to assess cochlear implant outcomes, identify predictors, and highlight decision-making factors and barriers to quality care.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included parents of children who received unilateral cochlear implants for bilateral severe- to- deep sensorineural hearing loss. Inclusion criteria were age ≤ 5 years and intelligence quotient (IQ) Scores ≥ 85, A pre-designed structured questionnaire was used to collect data from parents/guardians of the children attending follow-up. The Arabic validated Glasgow Children Benefit Inventory score was used to assess the health-related quality of life (QOL) after intervention.

RESULTS

The quality of life (QOL) score (outcome) after surgery was positive in all cases. Multivariate analysis showed that the site of operation (Bahtim hospital and Ain Shams Hospital [AOR(95% confidence interval CI), 5.7 (1.4-23), 5 (1.4-17.9), p = 0.015, 0.013, respectively]), education of the father (university/postgraduate [AOR (95% CI): 5 (1.4-17.9), p = 0.013]), the parents' expectation that their child would be able to participate in regular classroom activities [AOR (95% CI): 8.9 (3.7-21.3), p < 0.001], and history of Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), perinatal hypoxia, and low birth weight [AOR (95% CI): 2.5 (1.2-5.1), 3.7 (1.7-8.1), 4.7 (2.1-10.5), p = 0.013, 0.001, ≤ 0.001, respectively] are significant independent predictors of good outcome.

CONCLUSION

All parents expressed a positive change in their child's QOL. Almost all parents of children with cochlear implants face many barriers in obtaining quality healthcare services for their children. Parents, especially those with lower schooling, should receive good counselling to increase their confidence in their children's capabilities and maximize benefits of regular follow-up. Improving the quality of healthcare centers is recommended.

Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Clinimetric Testing of Functional Rating Index (FRI) Outcome Measure into the Arabic Language

Background

The Functional Rating Index (FRI) is a self-report scale widely used to determine the level of disability in low back pain (LBP) populations.

Objectives

This study was aimed at conducting the cross-cultural adaptation of the FRI-Arabic version (FRI-Ar) and testing the clinometric properties of FRI-Ar.

Methods

The cross-cultural adaptation process was used to develop the FRI-Ar. This study included acute and subacute LBP patients. Each patient was asked to complete the questionnaires at three time points: baseline, 24-hour follow-up, and two-week follow-up. The questionnaires used were FRI-Ar, Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Global Perceived Effect Scale (GPE), and Patient-Specific Functional Scale (PSFS). Statistical analysis was carried out to measure the instrument's reliability, validity, and responsiveness.

Results

The FRI was cross-culturally adapted to the Arabic language, and the adapted version was validated. Two hundred patients completed the questionnaires at the baseline; however, 120 patients completed the questionnaires at 24-hour and two-week follow-up. Cronbach's alpha, interclass correlation coefficient (ICC_2,1), standard error of measurement (SEM), and minimal detectable change (MDC_95%) for the FRI-Ar were observed as 0.85, 0.85, 1.17 (2.9%), and 3.24, respectively. The FRI-Ar showed a moderate positive correlation only with the RMDQ, ODI, and NPRS (p < 0.05). Also, it showed the responsiveness with a small effect size (ES = 0.29) and standardized response mean (SRM = 0.44).

Conclusion

The FRI-Ar was developed, and it showed good reliability and validity. However, it revealed the responsiveness with the small change. It can evaluate both pain and functional limitations in acute and subacute LBP patients. Before using it in the Arabic population with acute and subacute LBP, it is recommended to conduct further research to test internal and external responsiveness using an external criterion with a more extended follow-up period and suitable interventions.