Research Library

Inequities in social determinants of health create a strain that may cause increased engagement in criminal behavior. Furthermore, immigrants may face greater inequities in social determinants than their Canadian-born counterparts. Personal experiences of adult, male immigrant ex-offenders in Alberta were examined to study various circumstances that contributed to their criminal behavior. The participants were in consensus that social determinants of health such as income, education, employment, stress and health risk behaviors have led them to commit crime. Increased research and intervention on risk factors, as well as creating targeted crime prevention programs, are recommended. Inequities in social determinants of health create a strain that may cause increased engagement in criminal behavior. Furthermore, immigrants may face greater inequities in social determinants than their Canadian-born counterparts. Personal experiences of adult, male immigrant ex-offenders in Alberta were examined to study various circumstances that contributed to their criminal behavior. The participants were in consensus that social determinants of health such as income, education, employment, stress and health risk behaviors have led them to commit crime. Increased research and intervention on risk factors, as well as creating targeted crime prevention programs, are recommended.
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This study sought to examine the challenges encountered by immigrant-serving agencies in meeting the health needs of temporary foreign workers and their families in one Canadian province. Some of the challenges that agencies face in delivering programs and services for temporary foreign workers and their families include the time required to build trust with this population, temporary foreign workers’ reluctance to use services due to fear that it will affect their immigration status, and the emotional labor associated with working with temporary foreign workers. This study sought to examine the challenges encountered by immigrant-serving agencies in meeting the health needs of temporary foreign workers and their families in one Canadian province. Some of the challenges that agencies face in delivering programs and services for temporary foreign workers and their families include the time required to build trust with this population, temporary foreign workers’ reluctance to use services due to fear that it will affect their immigration status, and the emotional labor associated with working with temporary foreign workers.
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When re-establishing their lives in Canada, international migrants with dependent children regularly encounter dramatically different conditions for family life. The parents’ employment situation, the limited availability of extended kin to help with child rearing, and a multicultural and relatively more permissive social environment, all of these invite or even demand changes in newcomers’ family practices. Yet, more information is needed about the ways in which skilled immigrants negotiate the changed conditions for work and family life in this country, and the impact this has on family dynamics during settlement. This study explores how coming to Canada impacted participants’ situations of paid work, parenting practices, and familial gender relations. Findings suggest that strained economic and social resources often limited the extent to which mothers and fathers were able to maintain an organization of family life similar to what they had established in their country of origin. However, while in some cases, shifts in family formation caused heightened levels of stress and strain and further entrenched the doing of conventional gender roles, in others, changed conditions acted as a catalyst for positive change. When re-establishing their lives in Canada, international migrants with dependent children regularly encounter dramatically different conditions for family life. The parents’ employment situation, the limited availability of extended kin to help with child rearing, and a multicultural and relatively more permissive social environment, all of these invite or even demand changes in newcomers’ family practices. Yet, more information is needed about the ways in which skilled immigrants negotiate the changed conditions for work and family life in this country, and the impact this has on family dynamics during settlement. This study explores how coming to Canada impacted participants’ situations of paid work, parenting practices, and familial gender relations. Findings suggest that strained economic and social resources often limited the extent to which mothers and fathers were able to maintain an organization of family life similar to what they had established in their country of origin. However, while in some cases, shifts in family formation caused heightened levels of stress and strain and further entrenched the doing of conventional gender roles, in others, changed conditions acted as a catalyst for positive change.
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Until recently, there was little acknowledgement that homelessness existed in rural areas in Canada. In order to understand the dynamics of homelessness in rural Alberta, we conducted interviews with service providers and other key stakeholders across Alberta. We examined homelessness dynamics and responses to rural homelessness in 20 rural communities across the province. Across all of the communities in the study, homelessness was reported however, the magnitude of the issue and its dynamics were distinct depending on the local contexts. We also identified several themes which serve as descriptors of rural homelessness issues. We note a number of recommendations emerging from this data which are aimed at building on the experiences, capacities, and strengths of rural communities. Until recently, there was little acknowledgement that homelessness existed in rural areas in Canada. In order to understand the dynamics of homelessness in rural Alberta, we conducted interviews with service providers and other key stakeholders across Alberta. We examined homelessness dynamics and responses to rural homelessness in 20 rural communities across the province. Across all of the communities in the study, homelessness was reported however, the magnitude of the issue and its dynamics were distinct depending on the local contexts. We also identified several themes which serve as descriptors of rural homelessness issues. We note a number of recommendations emerging from this data which are aimed at building on the experiences, capacities, and strengths of rural communities.
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Caesarean section (C-section) deliveries are conducted when there is a failure to progress in labor, or compromised fetal status. However, they place women at higher risk for immediate complications compared to vaginal deliveries. Mumtaz et al. (2014) showed that newcomer women in the prairie provinces experienced significantly higher C-section delivery rates compared to Canadian-born women, even though rates of recommendations by healthcare providers was equal. This on-going study aims to understand this trend, and explore how decisions regarding C-section deliveries are made within the experiences of newcomer and Canadian-born women. A focused ethnography was conducted at a universityaffiliated hospital in Edmonton, Alberta for an 8-month period in 2015. The study population comprised: 1) newcomer women who immigrated to Canada after 2004 and 2) Canadian-born women. Both groups consisted of women who have a higher risk of undergoing a C-section. Data collection strategies included participant observation of prenatal appointments, labour and delivery along with in-depth interviews with the women. Preliminary findings indicate that decisions to have emergency C-sections were solely due to physician recommendations. Women stated the safety of the baby as the main reason for following physician recommendations. Caesarean section (C-section) deliveries are conducted when there is a failure to progress in labor, or compromised fetal status. However, they place women at higher risk for immediate complications compared to vaginal deliveries. Mumtaz et al. (2014) showed that newcomer women in the prairie provinces experienced significantly higher C-section delivery rates compared to Canadian-born women, even though rates of recommendations by healthcare providers was equal. This on-going study aims to understand this trend, and explore how decisions regarding C-section deliveries are made within the experiences of newcomer and Canadian-born women. A focused ethnography was conducted at a universityaffiliated hospital in Edmonton, Alberta for an 8-month period in 2015. The study population comprised: 1) newcomer women who immigrated to Canada after 2004 and 2) Canadian-born women. Both groups consisted of women who have a higher risk of undergoing a C-section. Data collection strategies included participant observation of prenatal appointments, labour and delivery along with in-depth interviews with the women. Preliminary findings indicate that decisions to have emergency C-sections were solely due to physician recommendations. Women stated the safety of the baby as the main reason for following physician recommendations.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

This paper explores the sense of belonging of first-generation Francophone sub-Saharan African immigrants in Alberta towards their co-ethnic communities, Canadian Francophone community, as well as the broader Canadian population. The findings show that while the Francophone sub-Saharan African immigrants were excited about the presence of a Francophone community in Canada before their migration, they experience exclusion and are not accepted as Canadian/Albertan Francophones. They experience alienation due to racism and linguistic discrimination, affecting their sense of belonging to Canada. This paper explores the sense of belonging of first-generation Francophone sub-Saharan African immigrants in Alberta towards their co-ethnic communities, Canadian Francophone community, as well as the broader Canadian population. The findings show that while the Francophone sub-Saharan African immigrants were excited about the presence of a Francophone community in Canada before their migration, they experience exclusion and are not accepted as Canadian/Albertan Francophones. They experience alienation due to racism and linguistic discrimination, affecting their sense of belonging to Canada.
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Leisure in parks and other forms of protected areas are connected to an individual’s health and well-being. Findings show that anticipated human health and well-being benefits were a major factor motivating individuals decision to visit a park or protected area. However, there was a negative correlation between age and each of the perceived benefits, indicating that older visitors were less motivated to visit protected areas. Interestingly, health motivations and benefits (or outcomes) were correlated highly with nature relatedness, meaning the more connected one is to nature, the greater the motivation to visit parks and the greater the health and well-being benefits received from park experiences. Overall, this study represents the largest examination of the human health and well-being benefits associated with visitor experiences in a Canadian protected areas context. The results substantiate the need for park organizations to better understand the “service provider” “client” relationship from a human health and well-being perspective so that integrated policies and visitor experience programs can be developed or enhanced where appropriate. Leisure in parks and other forms of protected areas are connected to an individual’s health and well-being. Findings show that anticipated human health and well-being benefits were a major factor motivating individuals decision to visit a park or protected area. However, there was a negative correlation between age and each of the perceived benefits, indicating that older visitors were less motivated to visit protected areas. Interestingly, health motivations and benefits (or outcomes) were correlated highly with nature relatedness, meaning the more connected one is to nature, the greater the motivation to visit parks and the greater the health and well-being benefits received from park experiences. Overall, this study represents the largest examination of the human health and well-being benefits associated with visitor experiences in a Canadian protected areas context. The results substantiate the need for park organizations to better understand the “service provider” “client” relationship from a human health and well-being perspective so that integrated policies and visitor experience programs can be developed or enhanced where appropriate.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

The aim of this study is to assess the oral health of the children of refugees and immigrants (“newcomers”). We also seek to understand the barriers to appropriate oral health care and use of dental services. Finally, we look into clinical and behavioural interventions for this population in North America. In general, children of newcomers exhibit poorer oral health compared with their non-newcomer peers. This population faces language, cultural and financial barriers that, consequently, limit their access to and use of dental services. Intervention programs, such as educational courses and counseling, targeting newcomer parents or their children are helpful in improving the oral health status of immigrant children. The disparity in dental caries between children of newcomers and their peers can be reduced by improving their parents’ literacy in the official language(s) and educating parents regarding good oral health practices. An appropriate oral health policy remains crucial for marginalized populations in general and newcomer children in particular. The aim of this study is to assess the oral health of the children of refugees and immigrants (“newcomers”). We also seek to understand the barriers to appropriate oral health care and use of dental services. Finally, we look into clinical and behavioural interventions for this population in North America. In general, children of newcomers exhibit poorer oral health compared with their non-newcomer peers. This population faces language, cultural and financial barriers that, consequently, limit their access to and use of dental services. Intervention programs, such as educational courses and counseling, targeting newcomer parents or their children are helpful in improving the oral health status of immigrant children. The disparity in dental caries between children of newcomers and their peers can be reduced by improving their parents’ literacy in the official language(s) and educating parents regarding good oral health practices. An appropriate oral health policy remains crucial for marginalized populations in general and newcomer children in particular.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

This research is on immigrant housing and homelessness, identifying the factors that explain immigrant housing vulnerability. The data collected from people accessing housing services in various cities of Alberta show that employment is an important predictor of positive housing situation among immigrants accessing housing supports. Moreover, living in a larger city, having a mental illness and being married were protective factors from living in a precarious housing situation. Addiction and being precariously employed were, however, associated with an increase in the risk of living in a precarious housing situation. This research is on immigrant housing and homelessness, identifying the factors that explain immigrant housing vulnerability. The data collected from people accessing housing services in various cities of Alberta show that employment is an important predictor of positive housing situation among immigrants accessing housing supports. Moreover, living in a larger city, having a mental illness and being married were protective factors from living in a precarious housing situation. Addiction and being precariously employed were, however, associated with an increase in the risk of living in a precarious housing situation.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Canada is among the top immigrant-receiving nations in the world. The aims of the study were to (1) create a new understanding of the processes that disadvantage immigrants in maternity healthcare, and (2) propose changes that might improve maternity experiences and outcomes for immigrant women in Canada. The findings indicate that (a) communication difficulties, (b) lack of information, (c) lack of social support (isolation), (d) cultural beliefs, e) inadequate healthcare services, and (f) cost of medicine/services represent potential barriers to the access to and navigation of maternity services by immigrant women in Canada. Having successfully accessed and navigated services, immigrant women often face additional challenges that influence their level of satisfaction and quality of care. These challenges include lack of understanding of the informed consent process, lack of regard by professionals for confidential patient information, short consultation times, short hospital stays, perceived discrimination/stereotyping, and culture shock. Although health service organizations and policies strive for universality and equality in service provision, personal and organizational barriers can limit care access, adequacy, and acceptability for immigrant women. A holistic healthcare approach must include health informational packages available in different languages/media. Health care professionals who care for diverse populations must be provided with training in cultural competence, and monitoring and evaluation programs to ameliorate personal and systemic discrimination. Canada is among the top immigrant-receiving nations in the world. The aims of the study were to (1) create a new understanding of the processes that disadvantage immigrants in maternity healthcare, and (2) propose changes that might improve maternity experiences and outcomes for immigrant women in Canada. The findings indicate that (a) communication difficulties, (b) lack of information, (c) lack of social support (isolation), (d) cultural beliefs, e) inadequate healthcare services, and (f) cost of medicine/services represent potential barriers to the access to and navigation of maternity services by immigrant women in Canada. Having successfully accessed and navigated services, immigrant women often face additional challenges that influence their level of satisfaction and quality of care. These challenges include lack of understanding of the informed consent process, lack of regard by professionals for confidential patient information, short consultation times, short hospital stays, perceived discrimination/stereotyping, and culture shock. Although health service organizations and policies strive for universality and equality in service provision, personal and organizational barriers can limit care access, adequacy, and acceptability for immigrant women. A holistic healthcare approach must include health informational packages available in different languages/media. Health care professionals who care for diverse populations must be provided with training in cultural competence, and monitoring and evaluation programs to ameliorate personal and systemic discrimination.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly