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 If you come across a link that is no longer active, please let us know and we can update it.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

Examining vaccine coverage among immigrant populations in Alberta, Canada and factors associated with vaccination

Two studies were completed as a part of this Master’s thesis. Study 1: Human papillomavirus vaccine coverage among immigrant children in Alberta: a population-based cohort study concluded that overall, immigrant children in Alberta had higher HPV vaccination coverage in comparison to non-immigrants, which is encouraging given some previous literature has suggested the opposite. This implies that efforts to increase vaccination rates among immigrant children may be having a positive impact. Among immigrants, routine immunization promotion strategies should be targeted to those living in rural residences and from North America, Oceania, and South America, in order to improve HPV vaccination coverage in this group even further. Study 2: Study 2: COVID-19 vaccine coverage among immigrants and refugees in Alberta: A population-based cross-sectional study concluded that high COVID-19 vaccination coverage among immigrant populations in Alberta is an encouraging outcome. However, continued efforts are needed to target public health interventions towards older immigrants, immigrants living in rural areas, and immigrants from specific continental backgrounds in order to improve COVID-19 vaccination coverage. Two studies were completed as a part of this Master’s thesis. Study 1: Human papillomavirus vaccine coverage among immigrant children in Alberta: a population-based cohort study concluded that overall, immigrant children in Alberta had higher HPV vaccination coverage in comparison to non-immigrants, which is encouraging given some previous literature has suggested the opposite. This implies that efforts to increase vaccination rates among immigrant children may be having a positive impact. Among immigrants, routine immunization promotion strategies should be targeted to those living in rural residences and from North America, Oceania, and South America, in order to improve HPV vaccination coverage in this group even further. Study 2: Study 2: COVID-19 vaccine coverage among immigrants and refugees in Alberta: A population-based cross-sectional study concluded that high COVID-19 vaccination coverage among immigrant populations in Alberta is an encouraging outcome. However, continued efforts are needed to target public health interventions towards older immigrants, immigrants living in rural areas, and immigrants from specific continental backgrounds in order to improve COVID-19 vaccination coverage.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Vicarious resilience among ethnic minority counsellors working with attempted genocide survivors

This qualitative study used basic interpretive inquiry to explore experiences of vicarious resilience among racialized and ethnically diverse mental health practitioners who have worked with resilient attempted genocide survivor clients within a counselling setting. Five self-identified racialized and ethnically diverse mental health practitioners participated in semistructured interviews regarding their experiences. This qualitative study used basic interpretive inquiry to explore experiences of vicarious resilience among racialized and ethnically diverse mental health practitioners who have worked with resilient attempted genocide survivor clients within a counselling setting. Five self-identified racialized and ethnically diverse mental health practitioners participated in semistructured interviews regarding their experiences.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Accessibility of domestic violence services in Canada for South Asian immigrant women

The accessibility of domestic violence services for South Asian immigrant women in several Canadian cities (Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal) is examined. There are challenges in seeking help for domestic violence in the South Asian community, which is highly unreported due to its private and personal nature. Main topics discussed are: 1) barriers that prevent South Asian immigrant women from seeking help, and 2) the current gaps in domestic violence services. Recommendations for domestic violence organizations to better address the needs of South Asian immigrant women are also included. The accessibility of domestic violence services for South Asian immigrant women in several Canadian cities (Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal) is examined. There are challenges in seeking help for domestic violence in the South Asian community, which is highly unreported due to its private and personal nature. Main topics discussed are: 1) barriers that prevent South Asian immigrant women from seeking help, and 2) the current gaps in domestic violence services. Recommendations for domestic violence organizations to better address the needs of South Asian immigrant women are also included.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Leduc County Community Resource Guide

A comprehensive guide of community resources, services and programs in Leduc County (i.e. Leduc, Calmar, Warburg, Thorsby), Alberta. A comprehensive guide of community resources, services and programs in Leduc County (i.e. Leduc, Calmar, Warburg, Thorsby), Alberta.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Community anti-racism action strategy: Weaving a shared path forward for an anti-racist Calgary

The Community Anti-Racism Action Strategy is a comprehensive report developed by the City of Calgary to inform its Anti-Racism Strategic Plan for 2023-2027. The report outlines recommendations for shifting the city as an overall system, including actions that focus on underlying policies, structures, and procedures. It is an invitation to create positive relationships, live in reciprocity, and take action towards a future that includes all of us. The report is committed to creating a Calgary where Indigenous, Black and diverse Racialized communities feel safe, welcome, included and are treated with dignity. It incorporates Indigenous teachings and perspectives into its anti-racism framework and provides guidance for individuals and communities to actively participate in anti-racism efforts in Calgary. The Community Anti-Racism Action Strategy is a comprehensive report developed by the City of Calgary to inform its Anti-Racism Strategic Plan for 2023-2027. The report outlines recommendations for shifting the city as an overall system, including actions that focus on underlying policies, structures, and procedures. It is an invitation to create positive relationships, live in reciprocity, and take action towards a future that includes all of us. The report is committed to creating a Calgary where Indigenous, Black and diverse Racialized communities feel safe, welcome, included and are treated with dignity. It incorporates Indigenous teachings and perspectives into its anti-racism framework and provides guidance for individuals and communities to actively participate in anti-racism efforts in Calgary.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Muslim older immigrants in Edmonton, Alberta: A community-based participatory research project with a local mosque

Older Muslim immigrants experience multiple vulnerabilities living in Canada. This study explores the experiences of Muslim older adults in Edmonton, AB during the COVID-19 pandemic to identify ways to build community resilience. Three major themes were: 1) loneliness, 2) decreased access to resources for connection, 3) capacity limits on services. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated challenges associated with aging in the Muslim population and contributed to further marginalization, with mosques being sites of support during times of crises. Policymakers and service providers must explore ways of engaging mosque-based support systems in meeting the needs of older Muslim adults during pandemics. Older Muslim immigrants experience multiple vulnerabilities living in Canada. This study explores the experiences of Muslim older adults in Edmonton, AB during the COVID-19 pandemic to identify ways to build community resilience. Three major themes were: 1) loneliness, 2) decreased access to resources for connection, 3) capacity limits on services. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated challenges associated with aging in the Muslim population and contributed to further marginalization, with mosques being sites of support during times of crises. Policymakers and service providers must explore ways of engaging mosque-based support systems in meeting the needs of older Muslim adults during pandemics.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Understanding social inclusion: Stories of disruption through school policies/practices in refugee families’ life making in Canada

Composing lives that have a sense of coherence is part of the identity making of refugee families and shapes their attempts for social inclusion. Their struggles for narrative coherence are shaped by the bumping places and tensions that they experience as their lives bump against dominant narratives that structure the policies and practices of many institutions including schools. Using narrative inquiry, we inquired into the experiences of three Syrian refugee families as they bumped against institutional policies and practices. Composing lives that have a sense of coherence is part of the identity making of refugee families and shapes their attempts for social inclusion. Their struggles for narrative coherence are shaped by the bumping places and tensions that they experience as their lives bump against dominant narratives that structure the policies and practices of many institutions including schools. Using narrative inquiry, we inquired into the experiences of three Syrian refugee families as they bumped against institutional policies and practices.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Prevalence and associated factors of maternal depression and anxiety among african immigrant women in Alberta, Canada: Quantitative cross-sectional survey study

The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of maternal depression and anxiety among African immigrant women living in Alberta, Canada up to 2 years postpartum. This cross-sectional study surveyed 120 African immigrant women within 2 years of delivery in Alberta, Canada from January 2020 to December 2020. The researchers found that social support and community belonging initiatives may improve the maternal mental health outcomes of African immigrant women. Given the complexities immigrant women face, more research is needed on a comprehensive approach for public health and preventive strategies regarding maternal mental health after migration, including increasing access to family doctors. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of maternal depression and anxiety among African immigrant women living in Alberta, Canada up to 2 years postpartum. This cross-sectional study surveyed 120 African immigrant women within 2 years of delivery in Alberta, Canada from January 2020 to December 2020. The researchers found that social support and community belonging initiatives may improve the maternal mental health outcomes of African immigrant women. Given the complexities immigrant women face, more research is needed on a comprehensive approach for public health and preventive strategies regarding maternal mental health after migration, including increasing access to family doctors.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Stunting and overweight prevalence among resettled Yazidi, Syrian, and Iraqi pediatric refugees

Pediatric refugees face diverse health issues, including growth abnormalities, that can have serious long-term adverse health consequences for cognition, bone health, blood pressure, and more. In 2014, the terrorist group Daesh committed genocide against Yazidis, an ethnic and religious minority group in Iraq and Syria, displacing an estimated 200 000 people. The Canadian government resettled approximately 1500 Yazidi refugees between 2016 and 2017, prioritizing previously enslaved women and children. Many Yazidi children endured violence and prolonged starvation, yet the prevalence of growth abnormalities among them is unknown. We assessed growth indicators for resettled Yazidi and non–Yazidi pediatric refugees from Syria and Iraq. Pediatric refugees face diverse health issues, including growth abnormalities, that can have serious long-term adverse health consequences for cognition, bone health, blood pressure, and more. In 2014, the terrorist group Daesh committed genocide against Yazidis, an ethnic and religious minority group in Iraq and Syria, displacing an estimated 200 000 people. The Canadian government resettled approximately 1500 Yazidi refugees between 2016 and 2017, prioritizing previously enslaved women and children. Many Yazidi children endured violence and prolonged starvation, yet the prevalence of growth abnormalities among them is unknown. We assessed growth indicators for resettled Yazidi and non–Yazidi pediatric refugees from Syria and Iraq.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Navigating biases and distrust of systems: American and Canadian intimate partner violence service providers’ experiences with trans and immigrant women clients

To date, very little is known about intimate partner violence (IPV) service providers’ experiences serving trans and immigrant women (IPV) survivors and their barriers in reporting and/or accessing formal services. Employing constructivist grounded theory, two vignettes were constructed – one featuring a trans woman and the other an immigrant woman, both seeking IPV services. American and Canadian IPV service providers responded to open-ended survey questions about both scenarios, resulting in several emergent themes including, but not limited to: service provider biases, shelter conflicts, and distrust of systems. Policy implications and future research are also addressed. To date, very little is known about intimate partner violence (IPV) service providers’ experiences serving trans and immigrant women (IPV) survivors and their barriers in reporting and/or accessing formal services. Employing constructivist grounded theory, two vignettes were constructed – one featuring a trans woman and the other an immigrant woman, both seeking IPV services. American and Canadian IPV service providers responded to open-ended survey questions about both scenarios, resulting in several emergent themes including, but not limited to: service provider biases, shelter conflicts, and distrust of systems. Policy implications and future research are also addressed.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly