Adult Migrants Research Articles

HARNESSING SOCIAL CAPITAL THROUGH SPORT - EXPLORING THE ROLE OF FOOTBALL IN THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC INTEGRATION OF AFRICAN MIGRANTS IN SWEDEN

Integration ought to be a two-way process, requiring adjustments from both migrants and native residents. However, more adaptation is often required of and indeed achieved by the migrants than host communities. Fortunately, participation avenues such as sports offer opportunities for these migrants to interact with and learn from host communities. This study, therefore, explored how African migrants utilize football to create social relations and develop the social capital necessary for their integration in Gothenburg, Sweden. The study employed a qualitative methodology, specifically semi-structured in-depth interviews conducted digitally. Ten adult African migrants living in Gothenburg were interviewed and data was analyzed thematically. The Social capital theory and the Conceptual framework for understanding migrant integration formed the theoretical and analytical framework. Football was revealed as a powerful tool for socio-economic integration, especially since it facilitated migrants’ building of reliable social connections in their host communities.<p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0205/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

Exploring the place of adult learning for refugees and asylum seekers in migration policy for integration in England and Scotland

Learning, particularly learning English is presented as a key part of integration for adult migrants in the UK. England and Scotland differ in how their policy approaches to integration include adult learning. This article aims to explore and uncover the ways in which adult education, particularly for refugees and asylum seekers is embedded and included in policy for integration of new migrants in England and Scotland. This is based on a discourse analysis of policy documents, through which themes were developed and explored. In these documents, adult education can be included in explicit ways, particularly when it comes to language learning, while informal learning is not always explicitly considered. In England, British values are highlighted as an important area for learning, while Scottish policy uses a different tone, referring to newcomers as ‘New Scots’. The ways in which certain groups, particularly people seeking asylum are politically constructed, appear to impact greatly on how they are included in policy. This paper argues for the need for an explicit policy for adult learning for refugees and asylum seekers, the need to consider informal learning in policy, and identifies areas for future research in the field of adult learning relating to migration.

Codesigning an intervention to strengthen COVID-19 vaccine uptake in Congolese migrants in the UK (LISOLO MALAMU): a participatory qualitative study protocol

IntroductionMigrants positively contribute to host societies yet experience barriers to health and vaccination services and systems and are considered to be an underimmunised group in many European countries. The COVID-19...

Self-reported health among migrants. Does contextual discrimination matter?

BackgroundSwitzerland is characterised by significant flows of migrants from different countries of origin and with different levels of education. More than half of recent migrants have reported experiencing prejudice or discriminatory practices in the last 24 months. MethodsBased on a 2018 survey of 7,740 adult migrants (aged 24-64) who arrived in Switzerland in 2006 or later, we examine whether self-reported health is statistically associated with the perception of being a victim of prejudice or discrimination. Ordered logistic regressions are estimated using two indicators of discrimination: the frequency of discrimination and the number of places where discrimination occurs. ResultsThe regression results show that discrimination, which is not necessarily based on ethnicity or migrant status, is associated with health status, even after controlling for possible confounding factors. DiscussionOur results confirm those already observed in other countries of immigration. They suggest a likely association between perceived discrimination and self-reported health.

The Older Adult Migrant and Support Systems: A Focus on Haatso and Agbogbloshie Yam Markets’ Communities in Ghana

Social support is an important resource in old age. However, recent research shows that familial support, which used to be the primary source of care for older adults in Ghana has weakened. Using a qualitative descriptive approach and semistructured interviews, this study explored the nature and sources of social support available to 21 older adults who migrated from the northern part of Ghana to live in Haatso and Agbogbloshie Yam Markets. Findings show that the nature of familial support was mainly material and unstructured, irregular, inadequate, conditional, seasonal, and sometimes completely unavailable. External support systems from the community, religious organizations, nongovernmental organizations, and the government were unavailable, inadequate, or seasonal. The findings underscore the need for families to be educated about the needs of older adults and be empowered to help care for their older relatives.

Conducting online design-based research: START e-business training as an educational intervention

Design researchers undertake continual refinement, based on findings from analysed data, to make iterative changes to educational research that is particularly concerned with improving the effectiveness of the educational design. This includes generating a range of artefacts that bridge educational theories with practice, resulting in new knowledge that is useful for teaching and learning in complex settings. This research focuses on teaching business skills and computer skills through transformational, reflective, and experiential learning interactions and practices. It is argued that constructivism theory provides a suitable approach for educating adult Arabic-speaking migrants to build on their skills, so they can make sense of their experiences, and continue their professional education. While we teach the Arabic-speaking migrants both business and computer skills directly, we can indirectly enhance English skills, if we focus on different aspects of English as suggested by English for specific purpose theory. This intervention constitutes a new approach to educational design. In developing the intervention, we applied the ADDIE model for instructional design. The learning management system that hosts the educational design is Chamilo. The research design uses quantitative and qualitative data collected through Chamilo including an online survey, data logs, and practical tests and quizzes. As well as data collection methods embedded in Chamilo, participant observations during Skype support sessions provide another data source for evaluating trainees’ learning and design effectiveness. This paper coalesces some considerations and limitations of online design-based research, while it also draws some reflections and action plans to overcome potential challenges in data collection as part of DBR iterative refining processes.

HOUSING CONDITIONS, SOCIAL CAPITAL, AND SUBJECTIVE WELL-BEING AMONG MIGRANT OLDER ADULTS IN INDIA

Abstract Aging and migration are complex multidimensional processes affected by various factors at different levels. According to the most recent Census of India (2011), more than half of the older adults in India are migrants. Migration at an older age is considered risky and vulnerable because it may lead to many problems. Changes in the environment and living place at an older age may disconnect their social network and affect their health. Therefore, this study examines the housing conditions, social networks, and subjective well-being of older adult migrants in India using data from Longitudinal Aging Study in India, Wave 1 (2017-18). The bivariate and multivariate analyses show significant socio-economic differences in living arrangements and access to better housing facilities among older adult migrants. Additionally, there exist state-wide differences in the social capital of older migrant adults. The likelihood of having poor social capital is higher among migrant older adults than non-migrant older adults. It also reveals that the subjective well-being of older adult migrants is strongly associated with their housing conditions, social networks, and other socio-economic factors. Thus, the paper finds environmental factors and social support essential for better health and well-being, especially for older adults, especially those in new surroundings. Therefore, extensive research is needed to understand the situation of migrant older adults in India to formulate appropriate policies for the same.

Asylum Seekers in Small Villages: Spatial Proximity and Integration in Italian and French Villages

What happens when asylum seekers from African or Middle Eastern countries are resettled by authorities in small European villages? When they arrive, are they welcomed, or on the contrary, rejected by villagers? Generally speaking, overseas migrants usually wish to be resettled in large European cities. As for European villagers, they tend to form communities closed on themselves, so one might expect a rather cold reception. However, fieldwork in Italian and French villages where asylum-seeking migrants were resettled shows that this is not necessarily the case. Having observed resettlement experiences in the Italian region of Molise and the French region of Alsace, we discovered that, wherever migrants are hosted within the confines of a village, villagers get frequent opportunities to meet them, learn to communicate with them, and spontaneously offer help, especially to children, women, and whole families. The lack of a common language does not prevent day-to-day iwnteractions or development of interpersonal relations. Children go to school and are keen to learn the host society’s language; adult migrants receiving help want to reciprocate by working for free, thus allowing them to quickly learn European ways and skills. If most asylum seekers eventually leave for larger cities, the months spent in a village prove to be a useful step preparing them for further resettlement.

HIV testing uptake, enablers, and barriers among African migrants in China: A nationwide cross-sectional study

African migrants in China face social, structural, and cultural barriers to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing with scarce information on their HIV testing behaviours. This study estimated the prevalence of HIV testing and its social and behavioural correlates to understand how to better provide HIV testing services for African migrants living in China. We conducted a national cross-sectional survey among adult African migrants who lived in China for more than one month between January 19 to February 7, 2021. The survey was disseminated online through six African community organizations and via participant referrals. We collected data on HIV testing behaviours and history of HIV testing, social, and cultural factors and applied univariate and multivariable logistic regression to identify testing correlates. Among a total of 1305 participants, 72.9% (n = 951/1305) tested for HIV during their stay in China and yielded a self-reported HIV prevalence of 0.4% (n = 4/951). The most common reason for HIV testing was to comply with Chinese residence policy requirements (88.5%, n = 842/951); for not testing was "no need to be tested" (79.4%, n = 281/354). We found most African migrants have experienced low acculturation stress (54.5%, n = 750/1305), low social discrimination (65.6%, n = 856/1305), have a moderate stigma towards HIV (54.3%, n = 709/1305), and low community engagement around sexual health and HIV topics. In multivariable analysis, African migrants who were students (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 3.36, 95% CI = 2.40-4.71), living in student dormitories (aOR = 3.86, 95% CI = 1.51-9.84), received health services in China in past year (aOR = 1.67, 95% CI = 1.25-2.23), had lifetime sexually transmitted infections (STI) testing (aOR = 1.95, 95% CI = 1.23-3.10), had HIV testing before coming to China (aOR = 13.56, 95% CI = 9.36-19.65), and those engaged in community discussions of HIV and sexual health (aOR = 2.77, 95% CI = 1.31-5.83) were more likely to test for HIV in China. Despite 73% of African migrants having tested for HIV in China, there are unmet needs and barriers identified in our study, such as language barriers. Access to HIV knowledge and testing services were the most important enablers for testing, including studentship, past STI/HIV testing, and community discussion on sexual health. Culturally appropriate and community-based outreach programs to provide information on HIV and testing venues for African migrants might be helpful to promote testing uptake.

De los debates globales a las prácticas locales: pedagogías emergentes para el fomento de la interculturalidad en el aula de español para adultos migrantes

ABSTRACT Recent theoretical debates in the field of intercultural language education reveal a “cosmopolitan turn”, which implies a glocal, critical, and transformative perspective of interculturality as praxis. This article explores the promotion and development of interculturality from a critical cosmopolitan perspective and reports on the results of an empirical study carried out in a Spanish language classroom for adult migrants in Barcelona through a didactic intervention based on emergent pedagogies. The results enrich the conception of a “cosmopolitan agenda” for language teaching and contribute to bridging the methodological gap between global theoretical debates and local practices of intercultural language education.

Incorporating multilingualism in German as a Second Language classes for adult Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education

Abstract Instructional strategies for promoting the potential of learners are critical for effective language education. Especially in the case of migrant students with limited or interrupted formal education (SLIFE), teachers need to leverage existing assets to build learners’ literacy skills and to foster successful second language learning. In this paper, we argue that pedagogical translanguaging can be beneficial for reaching this goal. We present the results of a qualitative study of teachers of German as a Second Language courses for adult migrants in Germany (n=11). We examine how while some spontaneous translanguaging takes place, pedagogical translanguaging is not embedded in the classroom, thereby leaving the multilingual assets of SLIFE mostly overlooked and underutilized.

An inflated probability model for the adult male migrants

The objective of this paper is to develop an Inflated Probability Model on the basis of Himanshu Distribution for the Adult Male Migrants. Estimation technique based on Method of Maximum likelihood have been proposed to estimate the parameters of the Model. The Model fitted to observed data found a better approximation at the survey area and draw some conclusion.

Exploring barriers to vaccine delivery in adult migrants: a qualitative study in primary care

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted shortfalls in the delivery of vaccine programmes to older migrant groups. Guidelines exist, however, little is known around care pathways and engagement of these older cohorts in routine vaccinations in primary care, including catch-up programmes. We explored the views of primary care professionals around barriers and facilitators to catch-up vaccination in adult migrants (defined as foreign born; 18+ years) with incomplete or uncertain vaccination status. Methods We did a qualitative interview study with purposive sampling and thematic analysis in UK primary care (50 practices included nationally; 1 hour qualitative interviews) with 64 primary care professionals (PCPs): 48 clinical staff including GPs, Practice Nurses and healthcare assistants (HCAs); 16 administrative staff including practice managers and receptionists (mean age 45 years; 84.4% female; a range of ethnicities). Results Participants highlighted direct and indirect barriers to catch-up vaccines in adult migrants who may have missed vaccines as children, missed boosters, and not be aligned with the UK's vaccine schedule, from both a personal and service-delivery level, with themes including: lack of training and knowledge of guidance around catch-up vaccination among staff; unclear or incomplete vaccine records; and lack of incentivization (including financial reimbursement) and dedicated time and care pathways. Adult migrants were reported as being excluded from many vaccination initiatives, most of which focus exclusively on children. PCPs noted that migrants expressed to them a range of views around vaccines, from positivity to uncertainty, to refusal. Conclusions Vaccine uptake in adult migrants could be improved through implementing new financial incentives, strengthening care pathways and training, and working directly with local community groups to improve understanding around the benefits of vaccination at all ages. Key messages

Strategies to increase catch-up vaccination among migrants: a qualitative study and rapid review

Abstract Background WHO’s Immunization Agenda 2030 has placed renewed focus on catch-up vaccination across the life course to meet global targets for reduction in vaccine-preventable diseases through increased vaccine coverage, including among migrant groups who may require catch-up vaccination to align them with host country vaccination schedules. Methods We did a global rapid review (01/2010 to 04/2022) to explore drivers of vaccine hesitancy among migrants followed by an in-depth qualitative study (semi-structured, telephone interviews) among recently arrived adult migrants (foreign-born, >18 years old, residing in the UK < 10 years). Interviews explored views on routine vaccination including accessibility, confidence and awareness. Data were analysed iteratively using thematic analysis. Results 63 papers were included in the rapid review, including data from 22 countries/regions. Multiple factors driving under-immunisation and hesitancy in migrants were reported, including language barriers, low health literacy, social exclusion, low cultural competency and accessibility in healthcare systems. Our qualitative study recruited 40 migrants (mean age: 36.7 years; 62.5% female) resident in the UK (6 refugees, 19 asylum-seekers, 8 undocumented, 7 labour migrants). Major barriers to catch-up vaccination included a lack of provider recommendation and low awareness, with vaccination viewed as only relevant to children. Hesitancy around specific vaccines, such as MMR, was often influenced by misinformation. Participants suggested that novel strategies such as walk-in or mobile access points, consistent provider recommendations, and translation of information into relevant languages, may enhance accessibility and uptake of routine vaccinations. Conclusions Targeted and tailored information campaigns, versatile and proactive access pathways and education for healthcare staff on cultural competency will be needed to ensure uptake of catch-up vaccination among marginalised migrant groups. Key messages • Newly arrived adult migrants face barriers to catch-up vaccination in host countries, which may hinder immunisation coverage and increase the risk of vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks. • Health systems must develop novel mechanisms to proactively offer culturally competent and accessible catch-up vaccination services to adult migrants on and after arrival.

Strengthening implementation of catch-up vaccination and multi-disease screening for new migrants

Abstract Dr Hargreaves will discuss the current guidance for EU/EEA countries on public health considerations for newly arrived migrants, with a specific focus on catch-up vaccination delivery across the life course in mobile populations. She will explore current initiatives and best practices to ensure child, adolescent and adult refugees and migrants are included in catch-up planning and delivery for missed vaccines and missed doses and to align them with the host country vaccine schedule.

Health literacy among migrants in Germany – results of the quantitative cross-sectional HLS-MIG study

Abstract Background Health literacy (HL) is considered an important prerequisite for health. HL research often identifies migrants as vulnerable for low HL. However, in-depth data on HL among migrants and its determinants are still scarce, especially in Germany. Therefore, the analysis presents first time data on HL among migrants in Germany, specifically in the domains of health care, disease prevention and health promotion, considering migrant-specific and universal factors, such as social and psychological aspects. Methods Around 1.000 first- and second-generation adult migrants from two of the largest migrant groups in Germany, from Turkey and former Soviet Union (FSU), were interviewed face-to-face in German, Turkish or Russian in late summer 2020. HL was measured using the HLS19-Q47 instrument. Bi- and multivariate statistical analyses were conducted. Results More than half of the migrants have limited general HL on average. HL in disease prevention and health promotion was lower than in health care. Low social status, financial deprivation, low literacy skills and low self-efficacy were negatively correlated with each HL domain. Social integration, by contrast, goes along with a higher HL. Duration of stay in Germany and country of origin were only partly associated with HL. Conclusions Our study goes beyond existing studies by analyzing HL in its domains and including the explanatory power of self-efficacy and social integration for migrants’ HL. Moreover, we reveal that migrants can't generally be considered as vulnerable, as oftentimes outlined. There is need for targeted interventions, e.g. enhancing usability of health information, for the abovementioned subgroups regarding differences in domains. Key messages • HL among migrants varies across domains and is only partly linked to migrant-specific features but mainly associated with universal aspects. • Measures to increase HL should consider differences in domains and address vulnerable subgroups including targeted interventions, respectively.

Addressing health literacy to reduce inequalities among migrants: which profiles need our attention?

Abstract Health literacy, the ability to access, understand, appraise, remember and use health information and services, has great potential to reduce inequalities in access to and outcomes of care. People may have different patterns of health literacy needs and strengths. Yet, the design of interventions is frequently not responsive to the specificities of different segments of the population, including migrant groups. We aimed to identify profiles of migrants to inform the co-design of interventions targeting people at risk of poor outcomes. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 1126 adult migrants living in Portugal. Data were collected using the 9-dimension HLQ (Health Literacy Questionnaire), and a sociodemographic questionnaire. A cluster analysis of data was performed. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 migrants, stratified by the clusters. The optimal cluster solution yielded 16 profiles revealing diversity in combinations of strengths and needs across the HLQ domains. While 29.8% of migrants scored moderate to high on all 9 domains (profiles 2, 6, 8, 16), 63.4% of participants struggled with 1 or several aspects of health literacy, namely ‘Feeling understood and supported by healthcare providers'. Notably, 36.8% (6 profiles) exhibited difficulty across most of health literacy domains. The interviews provided a tangible description of the health literacy needs and resources with five main themes (access, understand, appraise, retrieve and use). Regarding ‘access', migrants expressed different preferred learning styles and needed to access different sorts of information at distinct times. The ‘use’ of information was rarely a one-time decision but a decision that people needed to make repeatedly. Health literacy is a highly diverse concept where subgroups exhibited diverse patterns. The cluster analysis can be used to inform the co-design, prioritisation and implementation of locally designed, fit-for-purpose solutions to improve health literacy. Key messages • Health literacy profiles can inform interventions to mitigate health inequalities among vulnerable migrant groups. • The identification of distinct profiles can contribute to minimise the disconnect between what people/communities need and what is developed to improve health and equity.

Mental health of migrants during the COVID-19 pandemic: additional stressors, increased inequalities

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an unprecedent range of negative mental health outcomes across populations worldwide. Such effects are increasingly being documented, however an evidence gap persists on the consequences on most vulnerable groups, as certain subgroups of migrants. These populations already suffer from increased psychological burden, and the pandemic effects may potentially exacerbate adverse experiences and outcomes. This study aims to uncover the perceived impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of migrants in Portugal and the associated sociodemographic aspects. A survey was conducted with a community-based sample of 1126 adult migrants in Portugal, assessing sociodemographics, migration-related characteristics and the perceived impact of the pandemic on mental health. Association between sociodemographics and mental health indicators was measured through bivariable analysis. In total, 1126 adult migrants were surveyed: 53.4% female, mean age of 35.8 years (range 18-77), 48.9% from African countries, 29.5% from Middle East/Asian countries, 21.6% from Brazil. Most participants (80%) reported feelings of agitation, anxiety or sadness during the pandemic period with 26.4% experiencing these feelings most days. The pandemic had a disproportionate impact on women (86.9% reported negative impact compared to 72.5% of men, p < 0.05), those undocumented (83.3% vs 75.4%, p < 0.05), those whose financial situation got worse since the pandemic (82.8% vs. 77.3%, p < 0.05) and those who had increased food shortages (84.4% vs 79%, p < 0.05). Migrants perceived an elevated deterioration of their mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, particular groups such as women and those with a more insecure income or residence status are particularly susceptible to experiencing negative mental health outcomes. Key messages • There is a need to recognize the detrimental mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on particular migrant groups and to develop interventions that target their unique needs. • Investigating sociodemographic and migration aspects could help identifying migrants at a higher risk of experiencing mental health distress.

“We don’t routinely check vaccination background in adults”: a national qualitative study of barriers and facilitators to vaccine delivery and uptake in adult migrants through UK primary care

ObjectivesExplore primary care professionals’ views around barriers/facilitators to catch-up vaccination in adult migrants (foreign-born; over 18 years of age) with incomplete/uncertain vaccination status and for routine vaccines to inform development...

Assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic among Venezuelan refugees and migrants in Colombia using respondent-driven sampling (RDS)

ObjectivesTo determine factors associated with adherence to COVID-19 mitigation measures, related symptoms and testing, as well as pandemic-related income loss among Venezuelan refugee and migrant adults in urban and border...