Search Results (5)

In Catalan schools, the rising influx of newly immigrated students poses significant challenges concerning their inclusion. These students show lower academic performance and self-esteem, are more likely to engage in risky behaviors, and lack support as they cope with the mourning process of migrating. Implementing intercultural education, working on socio-emotional skills, and helping to build a support network can be protective factors in improving the students’ development. This project was implemented in a Barcelona public school and aimed to identify the needs of newcomer students and enhance their inclusion. A questionnaire administered to 30 teachers revealed low knowledge about migratory mourning and intercultural education. Consequently, training sessions addressed to the school’s teaching staff were developed to provide them with the necessary knowledge and skills to deal with these topics. Interviews were conducted with the newly arrived children, specifically with 12 of them. They revealed a need for emotional support, the presence of migratory mourning, and a lack of a support network and socio-emotional skills. Students have appreciated the active listening and the opportunity to share their migration process. Teachers feel more empowered to support students in the migration mourning process after the training sessions. Feedback after the training sessions highlighted the clarity, ease of understanding, and usefulness of the material shared positively. The project lays the groundwork for more inclusive and intercultural initiatives in the school. Integrating the provided training into the teacher training curriculum could have a significant impact, better equipping educators to support recently arrived migrant students. Full article

In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, asylum seekers, refugees, and foreign-born migrants are more likely to suffer from physical, mental, and socioeconomic consequences owing to their existing vulnerabilities and worsening conditions in refugee camps around the world. In this scenario, the education of migrants and newcomers about immunization is critical to achieving health equity worldwide. Globally, it is unclear whether government vaccination policies are prioritizing the health information needs of migrants. We searched for studies investigating the vaccination uptake of migrant children settled in Italy that were published between January 2003 and 25 June 2023. Following Arksey and O’Malley’s five-stage method for scoping reviews, all potentially relevant literature published in English was retrieved from SciSearch, Medline, and Embase. This search resulted in 88 research articles, 25 of which met our inclusion criteria. Our findings indicate unequal access to vaccination due to a lack of available information in the native language of the immigrants’ country of origin, vaccine safety concerns or lack of awareness, logistical difficulties, and fear of legal consequences. The findings strongly encourage further government and political discourse to ensure migrants have fair, equitable, ethical, and timely access to essential medicines. Full article

Newcomers’ ability to access healthcare can be impacted by cultural, religious, linguistic, and health status differences. A variety of options are available to support the development of healthcare systems to equitably accommodate newcomers, including the use of basic English and other languages in public health information, engagement with immigrant communities to advise on program development, offering culturally competent health services, interpretation services, and through creating space to collaborate with traditional practitioners. This study employed in-depth interviews with newcomer families from the Healthy Immigrant Children Study that had been living in Regina or Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, for less than 5 years, as well as with healthcare providers and immigrant service providers to understand how to improve healthcare services. Analysis of participant quotes related to accessible healthcare services revealed five main themes: (1) responsive, accessible services, (2) increasing cultural competence, (3) targeted newcomer health services, (4) increasing awareness of health services, and (5) newcomer engagement in planning and partnerships. An accessible healthcare system should include primary healthcare sites developed in partnership with newcomer service organizations that offer comprehensive care in a conveniently accessible and culturally responsive manner, with embedded interpretation services. The Saskatchewan healthcare system needs to reflect on its capacity to meet newcomer healthcare needs and strategically respond to the healthcare needs of an increasingly diverse population. Full article

Although Canada is recognized internationally as a leader in immigration policy, supports are not responsive to the traumatic experiences of many newcomers. Many mothers and children arriving in Canada are at elevated risk of homelessness. Methods: This study utilized a community-engaged design, grounded in a critical analysis of gender and immigration status. We conducted individual and group interviews with a purposive sample of 18 newcomer mothers with current or recent experiences with homelessness and with 16 service providers working in multiple sectors. Results: Three main themes emerged: gendered and racialized pathways into homelessness; system failures, and pre- and post-migration trauma. This study revealed structural barriers rooted in preoccupation with economic success that negate and exacerbate the effects of violence and homelessness. Conclusion: The impacts of structural discrimination and violence are embedded in federal policy. It is critical to posit gender and culturally appropriate alternatives that focus on system issues. Full article

Background: Low levels of circulating vitamin D are more likely to be found in those with darker skin pigmentation, who live in areas of high latitude, and who wear more clothing. We examined the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and inadequacy in newcomer immigrant and refugee children. Methods: We evaluated circulating vitamin D status of immigrant children at the national level. Subsequently, we investigated vitamin D intake, circulating vitamin D status, and total body bone mineral content (TBBMC) in newcomer children living in Saskatchewan. Results: In the sample of newcomer children in Saskatchewan, the prevalence of inadequacy in calcium and vitamin D intakes was 76% and 89.4%, respectively. Vitamin D intake from food/supplement was significantly higher in immigrants compared to refugees, which accords with the significant difference in serum status. Circulating vitamin D status indicated that 29% of participants were deficient and another 44% had inadequate levels of serum 25(OH)D for bone health. Dietary vitamin D intake, sex, region of origin, and length of stay in Canada were significant predictors of serum vitamin D status. Results for TBBMC revealed that 38.6% were found to have low TBBMC compared to estimated values for age, sex, and ethnicity. In the regression model, after controlling for possible confounders, children who were taller and had greater circulating vitamin D also had greater TBBMC. Nationally, immigrant children, particularly girls, have significantly lower plasma 25(OH)D than non-immigrant children. Interpretation: Newcomer immigrant and refugee children are at a high risk of vitamin D deficiency and inadequacy, which may have serious negative consequences for their health. Full article