Predictors of self-reported problem behaviours in Turkish immigrant and Dutch adolescents in the Netherlands

BACKGROUND: Although many studies have compared psychopathology in different cultures, not much is known about factors that contribute to the observed differences. METHODS: We compared self-reported emotional and behavioural problems in 363 Turkish immigrant and 1098 Dutch adolescents in the Netherlands and we evaluated the contribution of adolescent, parent, family and stress-related factors to the observed ethnic differences. Data were drawn from the Dutch version of the Youth Self-Report (YSR), as well as from Dutch and Turkish parental questionnaires. RESULTS: Turkish girls scored higher on four of the eight YSR syndrome-scales, on the Internalising broadband scale and on total problems than Dutch girls. Turkish boys scored higher on three syndrome scales and on the Internalising scale, but scored less on Delinquent Behaviour than their Dutch peers. Ethnic differences for both sexes were most pronounced on the Withdrawn and Anxious/Depressed scales. Socio-economic measures, in particular education of the parents, contributed most to the explanation of ethnic differences on the Somatic Complaints scale for girls and Social Problem and Internalising scales for boys. On most scales, however, ethnic differences could not be explained by other factors. The distribution of some factors appeared to be more favourable (i.e., less frequent) for Turkish than for Dutch youths, such as referral of family members to mental health services. CONCLUSIONS: Low educational levels of the parents play an important, yet not an exclusive role in explaining cross-cultural differences in emotional and behavioural problems in adolescents. In particular, differences in Withdrawn and Anxious/Depressed behaviour could not be explained by non-cultural factors. This study offers starting-points for future research on cultural-specific predictors of psychopathology in immigrants.     

Cord C-peptide and insulin-like growth factor-I, birth weight, and placenta weight among North African and Belgian neonates

OBJECTIVE: Despite their low socioeconomic status, infants of North African immigrants have been reported to have high birth weights in Belgium. The aim of the study was to further explore potential mechanisms explaining this high birth weight. STUDY DESIGN: Venous umbilical cord blood samples and perinatal characteristics of live-born infants from mothers of North African and Belgian nationality were collected in 1997 through 1998 at the University Hospital La Citadelle, Liège, Belgium. RESULTS: The median connecting peptide (C-peptide) concentration was significantly higher among North African than Belgian neonates (0.125 vs 0.110 pmol/mL, P=.04). However, the median insulin-like growth factor-I concentrations among North African and Belgian newborn infants were, respectively, 74.0 and 69.6 ng/mL (P=.45). Nationality remained significantly associated with C-peptide after adjusting for age and parity. C-peptide, insulin-like growth factor-I correlated positively with birth weight and remained significant factors for birth weight after adjusting for confounders in multiple regression. CONCLUSION: These results suggest a link between higher C-peptide levels and birth weights among North African neonates in Belgium.     

The "Demon Plague" and access to care among Asian undocumented immigrants living with HIV disease in New York City

Access to and utilization of care for HIV-positive Asians (A) and Pacific Islanders (PI) have been largely unaddressed despite the rising influx of immigrants from Asia and the Pacific to the United States and the growing HIV prevalence in these regions. This paper describes the cultural attitudes, behaviors, and perceptions that affect access to and utilization of care among Asian undocumented noncitizens living with HIV/AIDS (UNWHA) in New York City. Sixteen semistructured interviews with HIV-positive UNWHAs revealed that their access to care was influenced by community misperceptions of HIV transmission, discriminatory attitudes towards persons living with HIV, competing immigration related stressors, and difficulty navigating service systems. These findings underscore the importance of integrating HIV treatment with primary prevention and awareness of immigration-related stressors to ensure timely access to screening services and care among Asian UNWHAs.     

Health and health care status of African-born residents of Metropolitan Washington, DC

This study examines health status, health behaviors, and health care access and utilization among African-born residents of the metropolitan Washington, DC area. A telephone survey was administered to a random sample of 525 African-born adults. Results are compared to those for the general local and regional population. Twenty-nine percent of respondents were uninsured; 24% lacked a usual, appropriate source of primary care. Among female respondents, 44% and 34% reported never having had a mammogram or pap smear, respectively. Most health status indicators demonstrated relatively good health, but 15% of respondents reported one of the infectious diseases we investigated. Consumption of alcohol and tobacco was relatively low. African-born residents are generally at risk regarding access to health care, and certain segments (the uninsured, recent arrivals) face critical access barriers. Infectious diseases are a notable feature of health status, and use of some preventive and dental services is considerably lower than for the general population.     

三峡库区移民心理健康状况及影响因素分析

目的研究三峡库区外迁移民心理健康状况与影响因素。方法采用整群分层随机抽样,调查对象接受居民基本情况表、与团体用心理社会应激调查表（PSSG）、症状自评量表（SCL-90）、社会支持评定量表（SSRS）的测查。结果（1）移民组的SCL-90除敌对、恐怖和偏执3个因子外均高于当地居民组（P〈0.001）;（2）移民组的PSSG生活事件、消极情绪体验、消极应对方式和应激总分高于地当地居民组（P〈0.001）;而积极情绪体验、积极应对方式得分低于当地居民组（P〈0.001）;（3）移民组的SSRS支持得分均低于当地居民组（P〈0.001）;（4）多因素的Logistic回归分析显示：影响移民心理健康水平的因素有年龄、健康状况、与地政府的关系和社会支持。结论移民组与当地居民组心理健康状态有明显差异,应针对影响因素采取措施,进一步做好移民工作。     

PERINATAL MORTALITY AMONG CHILDREN OF IMMIGRANT MOTHERS IN SWEDEN

Abstract. Smedby, B. and Ericson, A. (Department of Social Medicine, University of Uppsala, Uppsala, and National Board of Health and Welfare, Stockholm, Sweden). Perinatal mortality among children of immigrant mothers in Sweden. The perinatal mortality among the infants of foreign and Swedish mothers was studied with the help of the data submitted to the medical birth register in 1973–1976. Unexpectedly, the perinatal mortality was slightly lower among the infants of the immigrant mothers. This difference could not be explained by differences in the distribution by age or parity of the mothers or by the length of gestation of the infants. A conceivable explanation is that the foreign mothers constituted a favorably selected group.     

Is obesity caused by an adenovirus?

Evaluation of: Matisz CE, Naidu P, Shokoples SE et al. Post-arrival screening for malaria in asymptomatic refugees using real-time PCR. Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg. 84, 161–165 (2010).

Malaria is endemic throughout most of the tropics mainly due to Plasmodium falciparum. Outside the tropics, cases have been described among mobile population groups, such as travellers, immigrants and refugees. Malaria prevalence among refugees ranges from 3% to more than 60%, many of them being asymptomatic. This article assesses the findings of a recent study performed in Canada where malaria prevalence among recently arrived asymptomatic refugees was measured. A total of 324 refugees were screened for malaria, obtaining a global prevalence of 3.1% by PCR. Identifying imported, asymptomatic cases of malaria may have an important impact both for the individual concerned and for public health.     

Intergenerational Relationships in a Transnational Context: The Case of Turkish Families

Abstract: This study explores how intergenerational relationships are experienced in a transnational context. Principles of grounded theory are used to describe how 28 Turkish immigrants living in the United States stay connected with their parents in Türkiye. Results indicate that these immigrants experience and manage significant structural, associational, and functional changes in their intergenerational relationships. These changes then contribute to the development of ambivalence. These findings are discussed, and implications for practice and policy are presented.     

The relationship between periodontal conditions and perceptions of periodontal health among Pakistani immigrants in Norway

The purpose of the present study was to assess the periodontal status of Pakistani immigrants in Norway, a Third World population in an industrialized country. The findings were related to treatment needs, socio-demographic variables and cultural beliefs about periodontal health. The mean number of remaining teeth ranged from 27.7 in the 20-24-year-old age group to 25.1 in the group of 35-year-olds and older. Very few of the study population had no plaque or no subgingival calculus. Only 7.5% of the participants exhibited no bleeding at any index teeth. Age and residence in Pakistan were the strongest predictors of subgingival calculus and pocket depth. Those from the rural areas of Pakistan had deeper pockets than those from the cities. The data showed a population with high prevalences of teeth with plaque, subgingival calculus and frequent gingival bleeding, but few sites with deep pockets. A periodontal treatment need index would indicate a substantial amount of treatment time. The present study suggests that also the perceived periodontal conditions, should be taken into account when periodontal services and health education strategies are planned. The concept of periodontal illness is introduced, defined as a person's perceptions and interpretations of periodontal symptoms.     

Usual diet in Bubis, a rural immigrant population of African origin in Madrid

OBJECTIVE: To assess the usual diet of an immigrant Bubis population living in Madrid, the main ethnic group from the Island of Bioco, Equatorial Guinea, and explore how different it is from the predominant diet in West Africa and from the adult population of Madrid. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. We randomly selected a sample of 213 Bubis aged 18-84 years, 83 men and 130 women, who were born in Bioco, emigrated and now live in the Madrid area. Participants were interviewed about their usual diet with the use of a food frequency questionnaire. Height and weight were also measured during interviews and prevalence of obesity was estimated as a body mass index (kg m(-2)). SETTING: The urban area of Madrid in 2001. RESULTS: The diet of the Bubis living in the metropolitan area of Madrid resembles more the urban diet observed among Spanish people than the traditional rural diet observed among people of West Africa. The percentage of calories from fat, protein and carbohydrates was 33.9, 18.3 and 47.7%, respectively. The Bubi diet presented a much higher protein intake and much lower fat intake than the usual diet in Cameroon. The usual Bubi diet also contained more protein and less fat and alcohol than the predominant diet of adult population living in the Madrid area. Women presented higher prevalence of obesity (23.2%) than men (11.0%), and even higher than that observed among Spanish women. CONCLUSIONS: The first immigrant generation of Bubis in Madrid showed food and nutrient intakes closer to the prevalent diet in Madrid than to the diet of their native land. The impact of this westernization of the diet of this and other immigrant populations in Spain needs to be monitored in the future.