Please note, this is not an open access database or repository. We have focused on creating simple summaries of reports and articles that we have accessed through websites and academic journals, with a focus on key findings, so that even if a full report is not free to access you can reference it. When possible, we include a link to wherever the original document is hosted (which may or may not be open-access). If you come across a link that is no longer active, please let us know and we can update it. There are also some reports that will have been submitted directly to the project. In this case, these reports are uploaded directly with permission from the author or publisher. Any original documents found on this site are stored in Canada on our secure servers
Domestic or intimate partner violence among African immigrant populations in Western communities, particularly Canada, remains an overlooked public health issue. African immigrant women face compounded challenges, including social isolation, language barriers, unemployment, financial dependence, and legal obstacles, increasing their vulnerability to abuse. With the rise in scholarship exploring the incidence and prevalence of domestic violence, the specific experiences of African immigrant women remain underexplored. This qualitative study
investigates West African immigrant women’s perceptions and experiences of domestic violence in
Alberta, Canada, focusing on definitions, coping strategies, and the influence of patriarchy, culture, and immigration on their responses to violence. Using a radical feminist, intersectional and Gender Relations Theory in the African Context, the study examines the ways in which power and resources are distributed between men and women in society, while also acknowledging how the power imbalances compounded by culture, patriarchal ideologies, structure, racial, and immigration factors, shape these women’s vulnerability to partner violence. Domestic or intimate partner violence among African immigrant populations in Western communities, particularly Canada, remains an overlooked public health issue. African immigrant women face compounded challenges, including social isolation, language barriers, unemployment, financial dependence, and legal obstacles, increasing their vulnerability to abuse. With the rise in scholarship exploring the incidence and prevalence of domestic violence, the specific experiences of African immigrant women remain underexplored. This qualitative study
investigates West African immigrant women’s perceptions and experiences of domestic violence in
Alberta, Canada, focusing on definitions, coping strategies, and the influence of patriarchy, culture, and immigration on their responses to violence. Using a radical feminist, intersectional and Gender Relations Theory in the African Context, the study examines the ways in which power and resources are distributed between men and women in society, while also acknowledging how the power imbalances compounded by culture, patriarchal ideologies, structure, racial, and immigration factors, shape these women’s vulnerability to partner violence.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pandemic is a global public health and social justice issue, where HIV continues to disproportionately affect marginalized populations. This study investigated and captured the experiences of immigrants and refugees living with HIV (IRLHIV) using the social determinants of health framework. This study examined the intersecting factors affecting the health and well-being of IRLHIV
in Alberta, Canada, prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Concurrent mixed methods were used. Employing an online survey (n = 124) and photovoice methodology (n = 13), the findings underscored the amplification of pre-existing inequities during the COVID-19 pandemic, intensifying the discrimination and stigma faced by IRLHIV due to both their health status and immigration background. The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pandemic is a global public health and social justice issue, where HIV continues to disproportionately affect marginalized populations. This study investigated and captured the experiences of immigrants and refugees living with HIV (IRLHIV) using the social determinants of health framework. This study examined the intersecting factors affecting the health and well-being of IRLHIV
in Alberta, Canada, prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Concurrent mixed methods were used. Employing an online survey (n = 124) and photovoice methodology (n = 13), the findings underscored the amplification of pre-existing inequities during the COVID-19 pandemic, intensifying the discrimination and stigma faced by IRLHIV due to both their health status and immigration background.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
Unmet oral health needs remain a significant issue among immigrant adolescents, often exacerbated by experiences of racial discrimination. This study aimed to examine the associations between perceived discrimination and oral health behaviors in adolescents with immigrant backgrounds and explore the potential moderating role of resilience on this association. Participants were 12 to 18-year-old adolescents from immigrant backgrounds. Participants were recruited through nine community organizations using a
snowball sampling technique. 76% of participants reported experiencing discrimination, where discrimination was associated with poorer oral health behaviors. Resilience did not moderate the association. Unmet oral health needs remain a significant issue among immigrant adolescents, often exacerbated by experiences of racial discrimination. This study aimed to examine the associations between perceived discrimination and oral health behaviors in adolescents with immigrant backgrounds and explore the potential moderating role of resilience on this association. Participants were 12 to 18-year-old adolescents from immigrant backgrounds. Participants were recruited through nine community organizations using a
snowball sampling technique. 76% of participants reported experiencing discrimination, where discrimination was associated with poorer oral health behaviors. Resilience did not moderate the association.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
The objective of this study was to examine how women who have immigrated from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region perceive breast cancer risk and screening in Canada and how they approach breast health, and to explore barriers to breast cancer screening in this population. Participants were women who were born in MENA countries (e.g., Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, and Syria) and had immigrated to Canada less than 5 years prior to study recruitment and lived in Edmonton, Alta. Six focus groups were conducted over a 6-week period in July and August 2018 with 6 participants in each group (N=36); results were analyzed thematically. Findings indicated participants have limited knowledge about breast cancer screening practices in Alberta and that multiple barriers to screening remain. This study can help inform the development of culturally appropriate interventions to overcome barriers and to motivate women from MENA countries to use breast cancer screening. The objective of this study was to examine how women who have immigrated from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region perceive breast cancer risk and screening in Canada and how they approach breast health, and to explore barriers to breast cancer screening in this population. Participants were women who were born in MENA countries (e.g., Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, and Syria) and had immigrated to Canada less than 5 years prior to study recruitment and lived in Edmonton, Alta. Six focus groups were conducted over a 6-week period in July and August 2018 with 6 participants in each group (N=36); results were analyzed thematically. Findings indicated participants have limited knowledge about breast cancer screening practices in Alberta and that multiple barriers to screening remain. This study can help inform the development of culturally appropriate interventions to overcome barriers and to motivate women from MENA countries to use breast cancer screening.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
The United States and Canada have resettled over 120,000 Afghan refugees since August 2021, but sociodemographic and health status data remains sparse with investigations often limited to refugee entrance exams, standardized health screenings, or acute health settings. This retrospective community-engaged cohort study investigated Afghan patients who received care between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2020 at an interdisciplinary specialized refugee clinic in Calgary, AB, Canada that provides care to newly arrived refugees. 2 reviewers independently extracted and manually verified sociodemographic factors, medical diagnoses, and clinic utilization variables from patients’ electronic medical records, then coded patient diagnoses into ICD-10 codes and chapter groups. Diagnosis frequencies were calculated and stratified by age group and sex. We corroborated these findings with Afghan refugee co-investigators. Among 402 Afghan refugee patients, they were relatively young, experienced diverse health characteristics, and had multi-specialty care engagement in their first two years after arrival. These findings may guide specialized healthcare provision to this inadequately characterized but growing population of refugee arrivals in North America and elsewhere. The United States and Canada have resettled over 120,000 Afghan refugees since August 2021, but sociodemographic and health status data remains sparse with investigations often limited to refugee entrance exams, standardized health screenings, or acute health settings. This retrospective community-engaged cohort study investigated Afghan patients who received care between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2020 at an interdisciplinary specialized refugee clinic in Calgary, AB, Canada that provides care to newly arrived refugees. 2 reviewers independently extracted and manually verified sociodemographic factors, medical diagnoses, and clinic utilization variables from patients’ electronic medical records, then coded patient diagnoses into ICD-10 codes and chapter groups. Diagnosis frequencies were calculated and stratified by age group and sex. We corroborated these findings with Afghan refugee co-investigators. Among 402 Afghan refugee patients, they were relatively young, experienced diverse health characteristics, and had multi-specialty care engagement in their first two years after arrival. These findings may guide specialized healthcare provision to this inadequately characterized but growing population of refugee arrivals in North America and elsewhere.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
Thousands of refugee families are resettled across Canada each year, and many must navigate parenthood while simultaneously contending with resettlement challenges. Refugee women are primarily responsible for care work yet often face disproportionate barriers to information, resources, and access to health services. We leveraged a community-engaged research approach with several project partners to: i) explore the scope, nature, and extent of literature examining the influence of gender norms, roles, and expectations on health and wellbeing during resettlement; ii) explore women’s diverse conceptualizations of health and what it means to be healthy; iii) identify barriers and resilience factors for health and wellbeing during resettlement, including in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic; iv) explore women’s experiences of gender as a determinant of health during resettlement, specifically in the context of motherhood; and v) explore the role of participation in Multicultural Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY), a home visiting program, in promoting health during resettlement. We conducted a scoping review, followed by surveys, in-depth interviews, and collage-building with refugee mothers (n=28) enrolled in the HIPPY program delivered by the Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association. Data were analyzed using a participatory inductive deductive thematic analysis. Our findings establish gender roles, norms, and expectations as important determinants
of health, mediating experiences of other social determinants of health during resettlement. Participation in HIPPY promoted wellbeing during resettlement and the COVID-19 pandemic by mitigating social isolation and improving women’s access to information and resources for health and parenting in Canada. Thousands of refugee families are resettled across Canada each year, and many must navigate parenthood while simultaneously contending with resettlement challenges. Refugee women are primarily responsible for care work yet often face disproportionate barriers to information, resources, and access to health services. We leveraged a community-engaged research approach with several project partners to: i) explore the scope, nature, and extent of literature examining the influence of gender norms, roles, and expectations on health and wellbeing during resettlement; ii) explore women’s diverse conceptualizations of health and what it means to be healthy; iii) identify barriers and resilience factors for health and wellbeing during resettlement, including in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic; iv) explore women’s experiences of gender as a determinant of health during resettlement, specifically in the context of motherhood; and v) explore the role of participation in Multicultural Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY), a home visiting program, in promoting health during resettlement. We conducted a scoping review, followed by surveys, in-depth interviews, and collage-building with refugee mothers (n=28) enrolled in the HIPPY program delivered by the Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association. Data were analyzed using a participatory inductive deductive thematic analysis. Our findings establish gender roles, norms, and expectations as important determinants
of health, mediating experiences of other social determinants of health during resettlement. Participation in HIPPY promoted wellbeing during resettlement and the COVID-19 pandemic by mitigating social isolation and improving women’s access to information and resources for health and parenting in Canada.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
This study explored pathways to success through a narrative inquiry into the settlement and integration experiences of refugees from Ethiopia living in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The study filled an important gap in information that accounted for success by refugees, although there was ample evidence regarding the structural challenges faced by all groups of newcomers in Canada. The end-goal was to develop a deeper understanding into how adult learning could be tailored to meet the needs of refugees and possibly other groups of newcomers. The theoretical frameworks that guided this study included insights about the role of agency, structure, and lifelong learning primarily through the scholarly contributions by Pierre Bourdieu, Anthony Giddens, and Peter Jarvis. Additionally, the study included insights by multiple scholars who explored the settlement and integration experiences of newcomers in Canada. The narrative data was collected through conversational interviews with the participants. Afterwards, the data was transcribed, analyzed, and stored in consideration of ethical practices. The study revealed multiple perspectives on the meaning of success based on insights shared by the participants. This study explored pathways to success through a narrative inquiry into the settlement and integration experiences of refugees from Ethiopia living in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The study filled an important gap in information that accounted for success by refugees, although there was ample evidence regarding the structural challenges faced by all groups of newcomers in Canada. The end-goal was to develop a deeper understanding into how adult learning could be tailored to meet the needs of refugees and possibly other groups of newcomers. The theoretical frameworks that guided this study included insights about the role of agency, structure, and lifelong learning primarily through the scholarly contributions by Pierre Bourdieu, Anthony Giddens, and Peter Jarvis. Additionally, the study included insights by multiple scholars who explored the settlement and integration experiences of newcomers in Canada. The narrative data was collected through conversational interviews with the participants. Afterwards, the data was transcribed, analyzed, and stored in consideration of ethical practices. The study revealed multiple perspectives on the meaning of success based on insights shared by the participants.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
A conceptual model was designed and tested to predict immigrant children’s oral health in Canada by examining parental acculturation and perceived social support (PSS) using structural equation modelling. A convenience sample of first-generation immigrant parents and their children aged 2–12 years were recruited by multilingual community workers in Edmonton, AB, Canada. Parents completed a validated questionnaire on demographics, child’s oral health (OH) behaviours, parental acculturation and PSS. Dental examinations determined children’s dental caries rate using DMFT/dmft index. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to analyse the data. A total of 336 families participated in this study. The findings emphasize the important role of parental acculturation and PSS levels in predicting immigrant children’s oral health behaviours and dental caries. A conceptual model was designed and tested to predict immigrant children’s oral health in Canada by examining parental acculturation and perceived social support (PSS) using structural equation modelling. A convenience sample of first-generation immigrant parents and their children aged 2–12 years were recruited by multilingual community workers in Edmonton, AB, Canada. Parents completed a validated questionnaire on demographics, child’s oral health (OH) behaviours, parental acculturation and PSS. Dental examinations determined children’s dental caries rate using DMFT/dmft index. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to analyse the data. A total of 336 families participated in this study. The findings emphasize the important role of parental acculturation and PSS levels in predicting immigrant children’s oral health behaviours and dental caries.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
Research on immigrant and refugee vaccination uptake in Canada shows that immunization decisions vary by vaccine type, location, age and migration status. Despite their diversity, these studies often treat immigrant and refugee populations as a single group relative to other Canadians. In this comparative study, we explored how previous risk communication and immunization experiences influence immunization decisions by immigrant and refugee women from three communities across Canada. Participants included women from the Punjabi immigrant community located in Surrey and Abbotsford, British Columbia (n = 36), the Nigerian immigrant community located in Winnipeg, Manitoba (n = 43), and the Congolese refugee community in Edmonton, Alberta (n = 18). Using focus groups, we sought to understand immunization experiences in Canada and before arrival, and what information sources influenced the immunization decision-making process by the women in the three communities. Given our participants’ different communication preferences and needs, we argue that a one-size-fits-all communication approach is inappropriate for immigrant and refugee populations. Research on immigrant and refugee vaccination uptake in Canada shows that immunization decisions vary by vaccine type, location, age and migration status. Despite their diversity, these studies often treat immigrant and refugee populations as a single group relative to other Canadians. In this comparative study, we explored how previous risk communication and immunization experiences influence immunization decisions by immigrant and refugee women from three communities across Canada. Participants included women from the Punjabi immigrant community located in Surrey and Abbotsford, British Columbia (n = 36), the Nigerian immigrant community located in Winnipeg, Manitoba (n = 43), and the Congolese refugee community in Edmonton, Alberta (n = 18). Using focus groups, we sought to understand immunization experiences in Canada and before arrival, and what information sources influenced the immunization decision-making process by the women in the three communities. Given our participants’ different communication preferences and needs, we argue that a one-size-fits-all communication approach is inappropriate for immigrant and refugee populations.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
