Non-migrant Groups Research Articles

Investigating measurement invariance of the IDS-2 intelligence scales between migrant and non-migrant groups

Intelligence plays a crucial role in various aspects of human life, impacting health, academic achievement, and socio-economic success. However, cultural and linguistic disparities in intelligence testing pose challenges, particularly for individuals from migrant backgrounds. This study replicates and extends the landmark study by Wicherts and Dolan (2010) exploring measurement invariance of the German language intelligence test, the Intelligence and Development Scales – 2 (IDS-2), between children and adolescents from migrant (N = 132) and non-migrant (N = 1898) groups. The results revealed partial strict measurement invariance in the IDS-2 intelligence scale subtests across the examined groups. The breach of full strict measurement invariance is primarily due to intercept differences on the verbally loaded subtests—Naming Categories, Naming Opposites, and Story Recall—highlighting the confounding impact of language complexity on test outcomes. These discrepancies resulted in a cumulative intercept difference disadvantaging migrant participants of approximately 4 IQ points on the Full-Scale IQ Score. The findings indicate that while the IDS-2 scales generally assess intelligence consistently across diverse groups, the influence of language complexity on the verbal subtests may result in a disadvantage for children and adolescents with migration backgrounds. To address these biases, we propose the development of non-verbal and culturally fair intelligence tests.

Age-at-migration, ethnicity and psychosis risk: Findings from the EU-GEI case-control study

Several studies have highlighted increased psychosis risk in migrant and minority ethnic populations. Migration before age 18 appears to increase risk, but further evidence is required. We investigated this issue in a European case-control study. We hypothesized that migration during two key socio-developmental periods, childhood and adolescence, would be most strongly associated with increased odds of psychosis, and that this would be more pronounced for racialised minorities. We used data from five countries in the EUropean network of national schizophrenia networks studying Gene-Environment Interactions [EU-GEI] study. We examined the association between migration in infancy (0–4 years), childhood (5–10 years), adolescence (11–17 years) or adulthood (18+ years) and first episode psychotic disorder. We fitted unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression models to estimate odds ratios [OR] and 95% confidence intervals [95%CI] for associations between age-at-migration and psychosis. In stratified models, we also examined whether these associations varied by ethnicity. The sample consisted of 937 cases and 1,195 controls. Migration at all ages, including infancy (OR: 2.03, 95%CI: 1.01–4.10), childhood (OR: 2.07, 95%CI: 1.04–4.14), adolescence (OR: 3.26, 95%CI: 1.89–5.63) and adulthood (OR: 1.71, 95%CI: 1.21–2.41), was associated with increased odds of psychosis compared with the white majority non-migrant group, after adjustment for all confounders except ethnoracial identity. After additional adjustment for ethnoracial identity, only migration during adolescence remained associated with psychosis (OR 1.94, 95%CI: 1.11–3.36). In stratified analyses, migration during adolescence was associated with increased odds of psychosis in Black (OR: 6.52, 95%CI: 3.00–14.20) and North African (OR: 16.43, 95%CI: 1.88–143.51) groups.Migration during adolescence increased psychosis risk, particularly in racially minoritised young people. This suggests that development of interventions for minoritised young migrants that alleviate stressors associated with migration and acculturation are warranted.

Computer simulation help predict the frame deformation following a Venus-A transcatheter aortic valve implantation in patients with pure aortic regurgitation: a retrospective study.

Patient-specific computer simulation of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) predicts the interaction between an implanted device and the surrounding anatomy. In this study, we validated the predictive value of computer simulation for the frame deformation following a Venus-A TAVI implant in patients with pure aortic regurgitation (AR). Furthermore, we used the validated computational model to evaluate the anchoring mechanism within the same cohort. This was a retrospective study. FEops HEARTguide technology was used to simulate the virtual implantation of a Venus-A valve model in a patient-specific geometry. The predicted frame deformation was quantitatively compared to the postoperative device deformation at multiple levels. The outward forces acting on the frame were extracted for each patient and the total outward force acting around the aortic annular (AA) and sinotubular junction (STJ) planes were recorded. Thirty patients were enrolled in the study with 10 in the migration group and 20 in the non-migration group. The dimensions of the simulated and observed frames had good correlations at Dmax (R2=0.88), Dmin (R2=0.91), perimeter (R2=0.92), and area (R2=0.92). The predicted outward force acting on the frame at the AA level was comparable between the migration and no-migration groups. The predicted outward force acting on the frame at the STJ level was always significantly higher in the migration group than the no migration group at different bandwidths: 3 mm (P=0.002), 5 mm (P=0.005), 10 mm (P=0.002). Patient-specific computer simulation of TAVI accurately predicted frame deformation in Chinese patients with pure AR. The forces at the STJ facilitated stabilization of the device within the aortic root, which might be used as a discriminator to identify patients at risk of device migration prior to intervention.

A Review of Researches on Return Migration

Driven by factors related to economic development, return migration has become a topic of increasing academic interest. There are several mainstream theoretical interpretations of the phenomenon of return migration, and the existing literature focuses on the causes of return, employment choice and return effects. Through literature review, it is found that both economic factors and non-economic factors will have an impact on the decision to return. Compared with non-migrant group, returned migrants are more likely to engage in self-employed. Returned migrants may bring back advanced ideas and technologies, which will have a positive impact on local economic and social development, but the driving effect on employment is limited. In developing countries, “entrepreneurship” means vulnerability. Entrepreneurship is a choice made when all other labor market opportunities are not satisfactory or individuals have no employment opportunities, which belongs to necessity-based entrepreneurship. This paper discusses the findings based on a summary of the review and provides the prospects for future research.

#6511 EPIDEMIOLOGICAL AND CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF MIGRANTS ON CHRONIC HEMODIALYSIS TREATMENT

Abstract Background and Aims The rate of migrants with end-stage kidney disease is rising in Italy. Migrants often present to nephrologists with advanced kidney disease, a condition that limits the choice to perform a diagnosis and prevent the progression of the disease. Low literacy, language barriers, lack of medical insurance, illiteracy and cultural diversity are the main factors limiting the referral to physicians. Data about the prevalence and clinical characteristics of migrants in dialysis units are scarce in the literature. Our study aimed to evaluate and characterize the epidemiological profile of migrants on chronic hemodialysis (HD) treatment. Data about demographics, clinical characteristics health-related quality of life (HRQoL) were compared with the Italian population. Method A retrospective cross-sectional observational study was conducted on patients who underwent HD at the University Hospital of Modena from December 2021 to August 2022. All patients on chronic HD treatment aged > 18 years were enrolled in the study. Data were collected from electronic health databases and interviews with a selected number of patients. HRQoL was evaluated by "EQ-5D" questionary. Overall, it ranged between a score from level 5 (no problem) to 25 (extreme problems). A scale (EQ VAS), numbered from 0 (worst imaginable health) to 100 (best imaginable health) was used to assess global assessment of own health. Patients have been subdivided based on their origin into "migrants" and "non-migrants”(or Italians). According to the International Organization for Migrations (IOM), we considered migrants all patients that were born in a foreign country and came to Italy for work, family reunification, economic or political reasons. Results In our hemodialysis center, 302 patients underwent hemodialysis for kidney failure. Migrants accounted for 18.2% (n. 55) of the HD population. They moved to Italy from Africa (62%), Europe (20%), Asia (16%) and Latin America (2%) for seeking work (84.3%) and family reconciliation (15.7%). A consistent percentage of migrants (37.5%) crossed the national border as undocumented migrants. Migrants started hemodialysis at a younger age than non-migrants (48.1[IQR, 39.7-56.7] vs 70.7 [IQR, 70.7-78.5]) years (P = .001) (Fig. 1). Most of them were male (69%). Migrant starter HD after 12.3 (IQR 6.5-20) years from their arrival in Italy. The age of migrants varied according to the geographic area: Subsaharian Africa (44.7 years), Asia (46 years), Europe (53.9 years) and northern Africa (54.5 years), although there was no statistically significant difference between groups (P = .67). The etiology of kidney disease was unknown in 40% of patients. Most of the patients (54.5%) started HD with a central vein catheter (CVC) and 53% of them were not referred to a nephrologist before HD. After a follow-up of 1.8 years, the rate of CVC decreased to 26.3%. Only 14.5% of the interviewed patients declared to be informed about home dialysis. Although, 87.2% of the patients were potentially eligible for kidney transplantation (age criteria) only a few of them(18.7%) was active on the waiting list. Migrants have a better perception of health-related quality of life than non-migrants. In the migrants and non-migrant groups, median “EQ-5D" score was 5 (IQR, 5-6) and 7 (IQR, 5-10), respectively (p= p<0.001). Global health assessment in migrants and non-migrant accounted for 90 (IQR, 80-91.5) and 80 (IQR, 70-90), respectively (P = .028). It is worth noting that these differences became not statistically significant when EQ-5D (P = .45) score and EQ VAS scale (P = .52) were adjusted for the age of participants. Conclusion Migrants were a consistent percentage of patients in our Dialysis Unit. This group of patients was formed by young people often unaware of their kidney disease. Late referral to the nephrologist had a profound implication on vascular access for HD. The language barrier and cultural diversity were the major limitations to entry into the kidney transplant waiting list.

Migration, Embeddedness, and Vulnerability During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic and concomitant policy measures have disproportionally affected the lives of migrants worldwide. Focusing on inequalities between social groups, studies have tended to neglect the role of local embeddedness as a factor influencing the extent to which individuals are affected by COVID-19. In this paper, we study the vulnerabilities of people with different migration experiences in an urban setting in the early stages of the pandemic, focusing on three key livelihood assets: economic, social, and human capital (health). Our analyses are based on online survey data (n = 1381) collected among international migrants, second-generation residents (those with at least one parent born abroad), and non-migrants residing in Amsterdam in July 2020. We find that international migrants, and particularly those who arrived in the city more recently, reported larger shocks to their economic and social capital than other city residents. This finding illustrates the vulnerabilities of “newcomers” to the city and their limited resilience to shocks. Second-generation residents were particularly vulnerable in terms of health, but this relationship was strongly mediated by education and neighborhood effects. In all three groups, those with poor relative wealth and those who were self-employed were more vulnerable to economic shocks. Our findings illustrate how the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated inequalities in vulnerabilities across migrant and non-migrant groups, and how those who were locally embedded, including migrants and non-migrants, were less likely to be negatively affected by the pandemic.

High risk of unsuccessful treatment outcome in migrant population with tuberculosis: Data from three Italian hospitals.

Tuberculosis (TB) remains an unresolved global health problem and vulnerable groups such as migrants remain the most affected with a higher risk of worse outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical features, outcomes, and adverse events in migrant and native Italian patients admitted to three Italian hospitals in Southern Italy in order to assess differences and targeted strategies. We performed a retrospective study on TB patients admitted between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2021, in three Apulia hospitals. Two logistic regression models were used, with the dependent variables being (I) unsuccessful treatment (died, loss to follow-up, and failed treatment) and (II) adverse events. We enrolled 543 consecutive patients admitted at three Italian hospitals with a diagnosis of TB during the study period, of them 323 (59.5%) were migrants and 220 Italian patients. The treatment success rate in the migrant group was 44.9% (137/305), while in the non-migrant group was 97.1% (203/209). Independent factors of unsuccess treatment (death, failure or loss to follow up) were: migrant status (O.R. = 11.31; 95% CI 9.72-14.23), being male (O.R. = 4.63; 95% CI 2.16-6.10), homelessness (O.R. = 3.23; 95% CI 2.58-4.54), having a MDR (Multidrug-resistant) (O.R = 6.44; 95% CI 4.74-8.23), diagnostic delay (O.R. = 3.55; 95% CI 1.98-5.67), and length of hospitalization (O.R. = 3.43; 95% CI 1.88-5.87). While, age >65 ys (O.R. = 3.11; 95% CI 1.42-4.76), presence of extrapulmonary TB (O.R. = 1.51; 95% CI 1.31-2.18), monoresistance (O.R. = 1.45; 95% CI 1.25-3.14) and MDR pattern (O.R. = 2.44; 95% CI 1.74-5.03) resulted associated with adverse events. Migrant population is at high risk of unsuccessful treatment (death, loss to follow-up, and treatment failure). Policies targeted specifically to this group are needed to really impact and improve their health status and also to contain the TB burden.

Experience and Prevalence of Dental Caries in Migrant and Nonmigrant Low-SES Families' Children Aged 3 to 5 Years in Italy.

Dental caries is a public health problem in children and is more prevalent in low-socioeconomic-status groups. The aim of this study is to assess the association between migrant families and the prevalence of caries among young children in Italy. This is a cross-sectional study. In the age range of 3 to 5 years, a total of 266 migrant children and 301 nonmigrant children were examined in three Italian charity dental centers. All children had families with low SES. The dmft was determined by intraoral examination performed by six pediatric dentist specialists to assess their dental health. In this study, the prevalence of caries (71%) and the mean dmft (3.68; SD: 1.52) of migrant children were statistically significantly higher than the percentage (52%) and the mean dmft of the nonmigrant control group (3.10; SD: 1.65) with no differences between genders. For the migrant children, the mean (0.49; SD: 0.32) of restorations (filled teeth) was statistically significantly lower than that of nonmigrant children (1.20; SD: 0.48). This study highlights that dmft values and the prevalence of caries are higher in migrant children than in nonmigrant children. In addition, the control group shows a higher level of dental caries than the national mean.

Migration, Schizophrenia, and Crime: A Study From a Forensic Psychiatric Sample.

BackgroundThe association between mental health problems and crime in immigrants has attracted recent academic interest, with results suggesting that there were possible interactions between immigration, schizophrenia, and criminal behavior. However, very few studies have examined these interactions, especially in developing countries that have mass internal immigration. Therefore, this study sought to identify the associations between the sociodemographic, clinical, and criminal factors in migrants and non-migrants with schizophrenia who had been involved in criminal activities in China.MethodsForensic archives of suspects who had been referred for criminal responsibility assessments in the Sichuan West China Forensic Center from January 2015 to December 2019 were reviewed. The sociodemographic, and criminal activity information of the suspects were extracted, while the clinical and social function were measured by the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) and Social Disability Screening Schedule (SDSS) based on the archives. A Chi-squared test, a T-test, a Mann-Whitney U test, and Multinomial logistic regression were employed for the statistical analysis.ResultsA total of 552 patients were reviewed and evaluated, 17.2% (n = 95) of which were migrants. The migrant patient group was younger than the non-migrant patient group. The BPRS and SDSS scores for the migrant patient group were lower than for the non-migrant patient group. The migrant patient group had more work experience and more had been employed at the time of the crime than the non-migrant patient group. The unemployed migrant patients were more likely to commit a property-related crime.ConclusionsCompared to the non-migrant schizophrenia patient group, the migrant patient group had less severe psychiatric symptoms and less social function impairments. Employment was an important factor in preventing criminality in patients with schizophrenia, especially for migrant patients. Vocational rehabilitation focuses on developing appropriate employment that can significantly assist in schizophrenia patient recovery, which in turn could reduce their chances of committing crime. Besides, reducing other obstacles to stigma, housing and health insurance would also be beneficial to crime reduction.

Country-specific approaches to latent tuberculosis screening targeting migrants in EU/EEA* countries: A survey of national experts, September 2019 to February 2020.

BackgroundMigrants in low tuberculosis (TB) incidence countries in the European Union (EU)/European Economic Area (EEA) are an at-risk group for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) and are increasingly included in LTBI screening programmes.AimTo investigate current approaches and implement LTBI screening in recently arrived migrants in the EU/EEA and Switzerland.MethodsAt least one TB expert working at a national level from the EU/EEA and one TB expert from Switzerland completed an electronic questionnaire. We used descriptive analyses to calculate percentages, and framework analysis to synthesise free-text responses.ResultsExperts from 32 countries were invited to participate (30 countries responded): 15 experts reported an LTBI screening programme targeting migrants in their country; five reported plans to implement one in the near future; and 10 reported having no programme. LTBI screening was predominantly for asylum seekers (n = 12) and refugees (n = 11). Twelve countries use ‘country of origin’ as the main eligibility criteria. The countries took similar approaches to diagnosis and treatment but different approaches to follow-up. Six experts reported that drop-out rates in migrants were higher compared with non-migrant groups. Most of the experts (n = 22) called for a renewed focus on expanding efforts to screen for LTBI in migrants arriving in low-incidence countries.ConclusionWe found a range of approaches to LTBI screening of migrants in the EU/EEA and Switzerland. Findings suggest a renewed focus is needed to expand and strengthen efforts to meaningfully include migrants in these programmes, in order to meet regional and global elimination targets for TB.

Vaccination coverage among migrants: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundMigrants, a population vulnerable to communicable diseases, face multiple barriers in access to immunization programs. Individual studies suggest that they suffer immunization inequity compared to non-migrants, but the gap in vaccination has not been quantified. This systematic review assessed quantitatively the level of vaccination coverage among migrants, in comparison with non-migrants, collating the published literature. MethodsReview protocol was prospectively registered (PROSPERO CRD42021228061). A literature search without language restrictions was conducted in PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science, from database inception to February 2021. This review included observational studies that provided the vaccination rates among migrant and non-migrant groups. Study quality was assessed using Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Data were synthesized pooling data from individual studies to generate summary odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) using random effects model, assessing heterogeneity with I2 statistic and publication bias with funnel asymmetry analysis. FindingsThere were 44 relevant studies (7,937,996 participants). Overall risk of bias was low in 13 (30%), moderate in 22 (50%) and high in 9 (20%) studies. Point estimates of individual ORs showed lower vaccination coverage among migrants in 36 of 39 meta-analyzable studies. Overall, the odds of vaccination coverage among migrants were lower compared to non-migrants (7,375,184 participants; summary OR 0.50; 95% CI 0.37–0.66; I2 99.9%). There was no funnel asymmetry. InterpretationMigrants are half as often vaccinated compared to non-migrants. Public health prevention programs need to prioritize vaccination equity, not just to protect migrants but also to protect the host communities.

Migration of fully covered self-expandable metallic stents used to treat anastomotic strictures after orthotopic liver transplantation: A single-center, retrospective analysis.

Insertion of a fully covered self-expandable metallic stent (FCEM) through endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is an effective solution for biliary anastomotic stricture following orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). However, FCEM migration continues to plague patients. This study aimed to evaluate the FCEM migration rate in our center, and to investigate the factors increasing the migration risk for FCEM.The study enrolled 43 post-OLT patients with confirmed duct-to-duct AS. The effects of age, gender, albumin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, ABO (blood group system consists of four antigens) incompatibility, stricture length, FCEM brand, FCEM length, donor liver and recipient bile duct diameters, size mismatches between the donor and recipient bile ducts >2 mm, diabetes and/or hypertension status, endoscopic sphincterotomy status, the use of plastic stents or nasobiliary drainage prior to FCEM implantation, duration from OLT to FCEM placement, and OLT etiology on FCEM migration were retrospectively analyzed.The FCEM migration rate was 48.8% (21/43) at 6 months. The serum AST level was significantly higher in the migration group than that in the nonmigration group (52.48 vs 29.50 U/L, P < .05). A lower serum AST level was associated with a decreased risk of FCEM migration in post-OLT patients with duct-to-duct anastomotic stricture (hazard ratio = 0.968, 95% confidence interval: 0.940–0.996, P = .028).In this single-center, retrospective cohort study, we showed that an elevated serum AST level was a potential risk factor for FCEM migration.

Perceptions and Attitudes Toward Obesity and its Management in Migrants and Rural Residents in China: a Cross-sectional Pilot Study.

The incidence of overweight and obesity in rural-to-urban migrants and rural residents is increasing rapidly. This study aims to explore the perceptions and attitudes toward obesity and its management among rural-urban migrants and rural residents who are left in rural regions, China. We performed a cross-sectional survey investigating migrants and rural residents aged 18-45 in China from October to November 2020. We created a questionnaire. Two hundred five questionnaires were completed. Finally, 184 were included, of which 102 were migrants and 82 were non-migrants. More respondents were male (62%). There was no significant difference in BMI between the two groups. The migrants had good knowledge about obesity as a disease (75.5%) and agreed that obesity seriously threatens health (93.1%). It is worth noting that more non-migrant group believed that obesity was due to a lack of willpower (87.3% vs. 54.9%, p = 0.000) than the migrant group. More than half in both groups believed that obesity was caused by a bad lifestyle (69.6%) or addiction to food (58.7%). Half of the participants believed that biological factors caused obesity. Most participants in both groups still believed weight loss modalities were limited to exercise and diet while having extremely poor acceptance of pharmacotherapy and bariatric surgery. This study found that the migrants and rural residents had a good understanding of obesity as a disease, and better among migrants than rural residents. However, they showed significant uncertainty and misconceptions about the efficacy and safety of pharmacotherapy and bariatric surgery.

Vaccination Coverage Among Migrants: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Migrants are vulnerable to communicable diseases and face barriers in access to immunization programs. Individual studies suggest that they suffer immunization inequity, but the gap in vaccination compared to non-migrants has not been quantified. This systematic review quantitatively determined the level of vaccination coverage among migrants compared to non-migrants, collating the published literature. Methods: A search without language restrictions was conducted in PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science, from database inception to February 2021. Observational studies that provided the vaccination rates among migrant and non-migrant groups were included. Study quality was assessed using Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Data were synthesized pooling data from individual studies to generate summary odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) using random effects model, assessing heterogeneity with I2 statistic and publication bias with funnel asymmetry analysis. Findings: There were 44 relevant studies (7,937,996 participants). Overall risk of bias was low in 13 (30%), moderate in 22 (50%) and high in 9 (20%) studies. Point estimates of individual ORs showed lower vaccination coverage among migrants in 36 of 39 meta-analyzable studies. Overall, the odds of vaccination coverage among migrants were lower compared to non-migrants (7,375,184 participants, summary OR 0.50, 95% CI 0.37-0.66, I2 99.9%). There was no funnel asymmetry. Interpretation: Migrants are half as often vaccinated compared to non-migrants. Public health prevention programs need to prioritize vaccination equity, not just to protect migrants but also to protect the host communities. Registration Details: Review protocol was prospectively registered (PROSPERO CRD42021228061). Funding Information: No source of funding. Declaration of Interests: KSK is Distinguished Investigator at University of Granada funded by the Beatriz Galindo (senior modality) program of the Spanish Ministry of Education. All other authors declare no competing interests.

An Italian Adaptation of the Brief Resilient Coping Scale (BRCS) and Attitudes During the Covid-19 Outbreak.

Resilience has attracted the interest of the scientific community during the Covid-19 outbreak, as a protective factor in mental health. As the migrant population arguably has one of the most vulnerable profiles in the current health crisis, the aim of this study is to assess the psychometric properties of the Italian version of the Brief Resilient Coping Scale (BRCS) across native and migrant residents in Italy, and to compare scores across these two populations. Other personal attitudes to the current restrictions were considered. Preliminary psychometrics were tested in a version of the translated instrument with an independent sample. A second independent sample was used to analyse the differences between migrant and native adults. The results showed no differences between the new version and the previous Spanish adaptation or the original instrument. Moreover, no differences were found between the migrant and non-migrant group. BRCS scores were predicted by attitudes toward Covid-19 but not by migrant or native group. These results suggest that the BRCS may be a useful tool to measure resilience in Italy at time of pandemic, irrespective of cultural differences.

Reversing Channels and Unsettling Binaries: Rethinking Migration and Agrarian Change under Expanded Border and Immigration Enforcement

Unauthorized migration under global regimes of border and immigration enforcement has become more risky and costly than ever. Despite the increasing challenges of reaching, remaining in, and remitting from destination countries, scholarship exploring the implications of migration for agricultural and environmental change in migrant-sending regions has largely overlooked the prevalent experiences and consequences of “failed” migration. Drawing from recent fieldwork in Central America with deportees, this paper demonstrates how contemporary migration at times reverses the “channels” of agrarian change in migrant-sending regions: instead of driving remittance inflow and labor loss, migration under contemporary enforcement can result in debt and asset dispossession, increased vulnerability, and heightened labor exploitation. Diverse migration outcomes under expanded enforcement also reveal a need to move beyond the analytical binary that emphasizes differentiations between migrant and non-migrant groups while overlooking the profound socioeconomic unevenness experienced among migrants themselves. With grounding in critical agrarian studies, feminist geographies, and emerging political ecologies of migration, this paper argues that increased attention to the highly dynamic and diverse lived experiences of migration under expanded enforcement stands to enhance our understanding of the multiple ways in which contemporary out-migration shapes livelihoods and landscapes in migrant-sending regions.

Experience and Prevalence of Dental Caries in 6 to 12-Year-Old School Children in an Agricultural Community: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Objective: To describe the experience and prevalence of dental caries in schoolchildren aged 6–12 years belonging to agricultural manual worker households. Material and Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in two groups of schoolchildren: One considered “children of agricultural worker migrant parents” (n = 157) and the other “children of agricultural worker non-migrant parents” (n = 164). Epidemiological indices for dental caries were calculated for primary (dmft) and permanent (DMFT) dentitions, and compared in terms of age, sex, and the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (SOHI). Two binary logistic regression models for caries prevalence in primary and permanent dentitions were generated in Stata. Results: For primary dentition, we observed the following dmft index: Non-migrants = 1.73 ± 2.18 vs. migrants = 1.68 ± 2.14. Additionally, we recorded the following caries prevalence: Non-migrants = 59.1% vs. migrants = 51.3%. For permanent dentition, we observed the following DMFT index: Non-migrants = 0.32 ± 0.81 vs. migrants = 0.29 ± 0.95. Further, we recorded the following caries prevalence: Non-migrants = 17.6% vs. migrants = 12.8%. No differences were observed for either dentition (p > 0.05) in caries indices and their components or in caries prevalence. When both caries indices (dmft and DMFT) were combined, the non-migrant group had a higher level of caries experience than the migrant group (p < 0.05). No relationship (p > 0.05) with migrant status was observed in either multivariate models of caries prevalence. However, age did exhibit an association (p < 0.05) with caries. Only the plaque component of SOHI was associated (p < 0.05) with caries in permanent dentition. Conclusions: Although over half of school children from agricultural manual worker households had caries in either or both dentitions and a considerable proportion were untreated lesions, the prevalence levels were somewhat lower than other reports from Mexico in similar age groups. No statistically significant differences were found in caries experience or prevalence in either dentition between non-migrant and migrant groups.

Mediator of school belongingness and moderator of migration status in the relationship between peer victimization and depression among Chinese children: A multi-group structural equation modeling approach

Peer victimization is a widespread threat to children's mental health. However, existing literature has yet to thoroughly investigate the mediators and moderators underlying the link between peer victimization and depression of Chinese children. Using a sample of school-aged children recruited through a multi-stage cluster random sampling in Southwest China (N = 1322), this study examined the mediating role of school belongingness between overt/relational victimization and children's depressive symptoms. In order to test the moderator of migration status, multi-group structural equation modeling (SEM) was adopted to investigate whether the paths in the mediation model were significantly different across migrant and non-migrant groups. Results indicated that overt and relational victimization had a direct impact on depression. School belongingness mediated the link between overt victimization and depression, but not the link between relational victimization and depression. Furthermore, migration status moderated the direct associations between peer victimization and depression. Specifically, the effect of overt victimization on depression was significant for migrant children but not for local children. By contrast, the effect of relational victimization on depression was significant for local children but not for migrant children. The contributions and implications of this study were discussed.

Barriers and facilitators to participate in the colorectal cancer screening programme in Flanders (Belgium): a focus group study

ABSTRACT Objective In Flanders (Belgium), a population-based colorectal cancer (CRC) screening programme offers a faecal immunochemical test (FIT) biennially to Flemish citizens aged 50–74 years. A FIT uptake of only 51,5% in 2018 is significantly lower among men, lower income groups and among people with other than the Belgian nationality. The objective of this study was to identify attitudes, barriers and facilitators to participate in the Flemish CRC screening programme. Methods Qualitative study using focus group discussions (FGDs) with non-participants in the Flemish CRC screening programme. Four FGDs were held with non-migrant Flemish population groups, and four were held with Turkish migrants (41 participants). Results Feeling healthy, fear of cancer and embarrassment to talk about CRC screening emerged as common barriers in all FGDs. Having other priorities (non-migrant group) and a lack of understanding mainly due to a language barrier (Turkish migrants) differed between the two groups. Providing face-to-face information, information in group and GP recommendation were perceived as important facilitators to CRC screening in both groups. More publicity and making CRC screening more of a routine (non-migrant group) and offering translated information (Turkish migrants) were the suggested facilitators that differed between the groups. Conclusions Several common and some group-specific barriers and facilitators appeared to play a role in the decision to participate in the CRC screening programme. In order to improve informed decision making and participation in the CRC screening programme in Flanders, the options of more GP involvement, targeted information events, and adapted reminder letters are currently being explored.

Health and well-being of male international migrants and non-migrants in Bangladesh: Across-sectional follow-up study.

Temporary labor migration is an increasingly important mode of migration that generates substantial remittance flows, but raises important concerns for migrant well-being. The migration and health literature has seen a growing call for longitudinal, binational surveys that compare migrants to relevant non-migrant counterfactual groups in the sending country, in order to answer the basic question "Is migration good for health?" This study compares the health of male international migrants, internal migrants, and non-migrants using a unique representative panel survey of the Matlab subdistrict of Bangladesh. A cohort of 5,072 respondents born 1958-1992 were interviewed in 1996-1997, and reinterviewed in 2012-2014. Extensive migrant follow-up yielded a 92% reinterview rate. We explored health and income outcomes for respondents who at the time of the follow-up interview were current international migrants (n = 790), returned international migrants (n = 209), internal migrants (n = 1,260), and non-migrants (n = 2,037). Compared to non-migrants, current international migrants were younger (mean 32.9 years versus 35.8 years), had more schooling (7.6 years versus 5.8 years), and were more likely to have an international migrant father (9.7% versus 4.0%) or brother (49.1% versus 30.3%). We estimated multivariate ordinary least squares and logistic regression models controlling for a wide range of control variables measured as far back as 1982. Results show that current international migrants had substantially better health status on factors that likely relate to self-selection such as grip strength and self-rated health. Current international migrants had no excess risk of injury in the past 12 months compared to non-migrants (adjusted mean risk = 6.0% versus 9.3%, p = 0.084). Compared to non-migrants, current international migrants had roughly twice the risk of overweight/obesity (adjusted mean risk = 51.7% versus 23.3%, p < 0.001), obesity (6.9% versus 3.4%, p = 0.012), and stage 1 or higher hypertension (13.0% versus 7.0%, p = 0.014). Compared to internal migrants, current international migrants had significantly higher levels of overweight/obesity (adjusted mean risk = 51.7% versus 37.7%, p < 0.001). Current international migrants showed above average levels of depressive symptoms on a 12-item standardized short-form Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (+0.220 SD, 95% CI 0.098-0.342), significantly higher than internal migrants (-0.028 SD, 95% CI -0.111, 0.055; p < 0.001). Depressive symptoms differed significantly from those reported by non-migrants when restricting to items on negative emotions (international migrant score = 0.254 SD, non-migrant score = 0.056 SD, p = 0.004). Key limitations include the descriptive nature of the analysis, the use of both in-person and phone survey data for international migrants, the long recall period for occupational and mental health risk measures, and the coverage of a single out-migration area of origin. In this study, we observed that international migrants had comparable or lower injury and mortality risks compared to respondents remaining in Bangladesh, due in part to the high risks present in Bangladesh. International migrants also showed higher levels of self-rated health and physical strength, reflective of positive self-selection into migration. They had substantially higher risks of overweight/obesity, hypertension, and depression. Negative health impacts may reflect the effects of both harsh migration conditions and assimilation into host population conditions. Our results suggest the need for bilateral cooperation to improve the health of guest workers.