Search Results (381)

Background: Suicide and self-harm pose significant global public health challenges with substantial economic implications. Recent Australian evidence shows considerable variations in the prevalence of suicidal behaviours and mortality among culturally and ethnically diverse population groups. This study aims to estimate the associated economic cost of suicide among culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) migrants in Australia. Methods: We evaluated the economic impact of suicide by considering the years of life lost, years of productive life lost, and overall economic costs, including direct, indirect, and intangible costs. We used data on suicide deaths in 2020 from the National Coronial Information System. Results: The estimated economic cost associated with 346 suicide deaths among CALD migrants is $2.9 billion (Australian dollars), with an average cost per fatality equivalent to $8.47 million. This estimate varies in the sensitivity analysis from $1.9 billion to $3.9 billion, depending on the average age of fatality, with corresponding average costs of $5.59 million to $11.35 million, respectively. These estimates do not capture costs associated with suicidal behaviours, which may substantially increase the economic burden. Conclusions: The significant economic impacts of CALD migrants’ suicide in Australia highlight the urgent need for a comprehensive national suicide prevention programme tailored for CALD migrant populations. Full article

Australia’s aging migrant population experiences higher rates of chronic disease and social isolation, highlighting the need for culturally appropriate health promotion programs. This study evaluated the effectiveness of “Move Together”, a culturally adapted community-based group exercise and education intervention for Mandarin-speaking Chinese Australians aged 65+ years. The Model for Adaptation, Design, and Impact framework guided the adaptation of this program. This single-arm pre–post-intervention was delivered bilingually by accredited exercise physiologists over nine weeks to 101 adults (mean age: 72.3 ± 5.3 years; 38% male). The physical health assessments measured waist circumference, aerobic capacity, strength, flexibility, and balance, while the questionnaires evaluated quality of life and social connectedness. The results showed significant improvements in all physical health measures (p < 0.001), with more participants meeting fitness standards for healthy independent living. Participants also reported significant improvements in self-perceived quality of life and social connectedness. The Move Together program effectively improved physical health and psychosocial well-being among older Chinese Australians through its culturally adapted, bilingual delivery model. These findings provide valuable insights for health professionals and policymakers adapting and implementing programs for culturally and linguistically diverse older populations to address chronic disease risks and social isolation. Full article

The detection of “silent” poliovirus (PV) circulation among clinically healthy populations is an important component of supplementary surveillance for poliomyelitis. Migrants from countries or regions where polio is endemic, affected by outbreaks, or at risk may contribute to the introduction of PVs of epidemic significance: wild poliovirus type 1, vaccine-derived polioviruses (VDPVs), or poliovirus type 2 into polio-free countries. Migrant children, refugees under 5 years of age, are considered a “risk group” in Russia and are subject to testing for PVs. During 2014–2023, guided by the algorithm of virological and molecular investigation of acute flaccid paralysis cases recommended by the WHO, 51,548 migrant children, arriving from 40 countries, were examined. Among 4% of children excreting various cytopathogenic viruses, polio excretors accounted for 20.8%. Among the PVs, PV3 was predominant (41.7%), and PV types 2, 1, and a mixture of PVs accounted for, respectively, 28.2%, 18.8%, and 11.3%. All isolates of PVs 1 and 3 were identified as Sabin-like. The detection of five children excreting epidemically significant PV2 (four VDPV2 and one Sabin-like) required an assessment of the risk of dissemination and additional immunization activities. Among 580 identified isolates of NPEV, the most abundant was the E. betacoxsakie species at 73.8% (CVB1–6, E11, E6, E13, E7). Information on NPEVs expands our knowledge of the spectrum of NPEVs circulating among healthy children worldwide, but its prognostic significance is still unclear. The detection of PVs in children from the “risk group” allows targeted anti-epidemic measures and is a significant advantage of this type of supplementary surveillance for polio. Full article

With the growing trend of population mobility and the aging process in China, a significant number of accompanying elderly migrants have moved to major cities. However, in community public spaces, the behavioral differences between caregiver-oriented elderly migrants (CO-AEMs), family reunion-motivated elderly migrants (FR-AEMs), and local elderly residents hinder social interactions between these groups. This study aims to explore opportunities for cross-group social interaction within the community environment. By utilizing GPS data collection and activity log analysis, along with spatiotemporal behavioral research methods, this study reconstructs the spatiotemporal trajectories of three groups of elderly individuals. The study proposes a social interaction potential (SIP) model based on the “support-constraint” framework. Through qualitative analysis of spatiotemporal behavioral characteristics and quantitative measurement of the degree of spatiotemporal behavioral co-occurrence across four modes, this study reveals the differentiated impact mechanisms of spatial and behavioral factors on social interactions, ultimately assessing SIP in differentiated community spaces and activities. This research highlights differences across spatial, behavioral, and temporal dimensions that hinder social interactions between the groups. Spatial and behavioral differences are primarily attributable to the lifestyle habits and activity preferences of the elderly, while temporal discrepancies reflect varying degrees of family-related constraints across the different groups. Furthermore, informal community public spaces show higher SIP than formal facilities. Additionally, the similarity in behaviors across groups facilitates social interactions. FR-AEMs and local elderly residents show higher SIP in self-care behaviors, while CO-AEMs and local elderly residents demonstrate stronger SIP in behaviors related to their family and grandchildren. Based on the segmented assimilation theory, this study proposes hierarchical community governance and spatial optimization strategies for activities and spaces with different SIP. The aim is to cultivate opportunities for interaction while respecting the characteristics of accompanying elderly migrants and to foster the construction of an inclusive community environment. The findings provide theoretical support and practical pathways for community space planning and social governance in the context of an aging society. Full article

This study examined the relationship between the urban dialect ability and academic performance of migrant children, as well as the role of school integration between the two. This study collected data from 1687 migrant children aged 5–15 from 28 county-level units (counties, districts, cities) in China, sourced from the 2010 China Education Panel Survey (CEPS). The research results indicate the following: (1) the urban dialect ability of migrant children has a significant positive impact on their academic performance. (2) School identification, peer–peer engagement, and peer acceptance, as the three dimensions of school integration, play a mediating role between the urban dialect ability and academic performance of migrant children. Overall, this study provides theoretical support and policy recommendations for promoting school integration and academic performance development for migrant children. Full article

This study examines the intentions of foreign workers living in Okayama, Japan, to stay long-term in Japan. Utilizing a Bayesian multinomial logistic regression model, this research provides a novel analytical approach that captures parameter uncertainty and accommodates the categorical nature of migrants’ settlement intentions using primary data collected via a questionnaire survey from January to March 2024. The findings reveal that residence status, previous experience of living in Japan, and graduation from a Japanese education institution significantly influence long-term settlement intentions. In addition, respondents aged 26–35 intend to stay longer than those of other ages, and those from less developed countries, such as Myanmar and Vietnam, intend to stay longer than those from China. Conversely, highly educated migrants express lower settlement intentions, suggesting a potential loss of skilled foreign labor in Japan. Notably, migrants in the Technical Intern Training Program are more likely to stay longer than those with other residence statuses, such as Highly Skilled Professional. In contrast, workers with higher education levels tend to have less intention to stay long-term, indicating a high probability of Japan losing educated foreign labor in the future. These findings contribute to understanding the dynamics of migrant workers in Japan, which is crucial for creating policies for foreign workers that can attract and support long-term settlement. These findings have important implications for policy, particularly in enhancing community integration, reducing workplace discrimination, and designing residence pathways that support long-term retention. Full article

Background: Being breastfed, following a healthy diet and staying active during childhood shape health trajectories across the life course, promoting long-term well-being. Despite the growing immigrant child population in Portugal, evidence on these behaviours, particularly among preschool-aged children, remains limited. In this context, this study examines the associations between migrant status and breastfeeding patterns, fruit and vegetable consumption, and participation in sports among children living in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area. Methods: A cross-sectional study nested within a cross-sequential cohort was carried out in the Lisbon region between May 2022 and April 2024. Approximately 760 children (49.4% immigrants) born in 2018 and 2020 were enrolled in the study. Data were collected through a face-to-face interview with parents, using a structured questionnaire with information on socioeconomic variables, migration history, breastfeeding habits, and children’s diet (fruit and vegetable consumption) and physical activity. We used parametric and non-parametric tests to compare migrant and non-migrant children. To quantify factors associated with the main outcomes, we estimated a logistic regression model and calculated crude and adjusted odds ratios and their respective 95%CI. Results: Immigrant children were disproportionately represented in socioeconomically disadvantaged families. Breastfeeding initiation rates were higher among immigrant mothers (96.3% vs. 87.6%, p < 0.001). Additionally, immigrant mothers had a longer median duration of any breastfeeding (14 vs. 8 months, p < 0.001) and of exclusive breastfeeding (6 vs. 4 months, p < 0.001). Immigrant children had significantly lower odds of consuming three or more portions of fruit (aOR = 0.700; 95%CI: 0.511–0.959; p = 0.027) and two or more portions of vegetables per day (aOR = 0.489; 95%CI: 0.350–0.684; p < 0.001) compared with non-immigrant children. They were also twice as likely to not engage in sports (aOR = 2.185; 95%CI: 1.512–3.158; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Breastfeeding was better implemented in immigrant children. The findings highlight the need to address social determinants of health and the challenges faced by immigrant families in promoting a balanced diet and sports participation for their children. Multisectoral, culturally appropriate interventions that sustain and promote good breastfeeding practices, improve access to healthy food, and encourage sports are crucial to reducing health inequalities. Full article

Research on sleep disorders among migrant populations is limited, particularly in the context of south–south Latinos migrating to other Latin American countries. Objective: This study aims to analyze the effect that the acculturation process may play on the presence of the subjective assessment of insomnia symptoms in South American migrants in Chile. Methods: Under a cross-sectional design, 1844 South American migrants from Colombia, Venezuela and Peru, currently residing in Chile, were evaluated. Of these, 50% were women with an average age of 35 years. Data were collected using the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), the EBEA scale for acculturation stress, a scale based on Berry’s acculturation strategies, and the anxiety subscale of the DASS-21. Mediation models were employed to assess anxiety as a mediating variable between both acculturation stress and acculturation orientations as well as insomnia symptoms. Results: A home-country-focused orientation was inversely related to insomnia symptoms, whereas a host-country-focused orientation showed a direct association. Anxiety did not mediate either of these relationships. However, acculturation stress was directly associated with the emergence of insomnia symptoms; in this relationship, anxiety partially mediated the negative effect of stress on sleep. Conclusions: There is a complex and dynamic interplay between the acculturation process, insomnia, and anxiety within south-to-south migration in Latin countries. Understanding these relationships could promote culturally sensitive interventions to mitigate the adverse effects of migration-related stressors on sleep health and the overall well-being of Latino migrants. Full article

Background/Objectives: The aging migrant population faces unique healthcare challenges due to linguistic, cultural, and systemic barriers. Home healthcare services play a crucial role in supporting aging migrants, yet accessibility and effectiveness remain inconsistent across different healthcare systems. This scoping review examines the experiences of aging migrants in home healthcare settings and explores the impact of these services on their health and well-being. This review aims to synthesize the existing literature on home healthcare experiences among aging migrants, highlighting the facilitators and barriers to effective service delivery and the implications for policy and practice. Method: A scoping review was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) framework. A comprehensive search was performed across multiple databases, including CINAHL, Medline, and Scopus, for articles published between 2000 and 2024. Studies were selected based on predefined inclusion criteria focusing on home healthcare experiences among aging migrants. Data extraction and thematic analysis were conducted to identify key themes. Results: The review identified 35 studies across various geographical regions, highlighting four key themes: (1) Cultural and Linguistic Accessibility, (2) The Role of Informal Caregiving, (3) Structural and Systemic Challenges, and (4) Health Outcomes and Identity Preservation. The findings indicate that language barriers, cultural stigma, and systemic exclusion significantly hinder equitable access to home healthcare. Informal caregiving by family members remains a primary support mechanism, though it places considerable strain on caregivers. The lack of culturally competent healthcare services and inadequate policy frameworks exacerbate disparities in care. Conclusions: This review highlights the critical need for systemic reforms to improve healthcare accessibility for aging migrants. Policies must prioritize cultural competence training for healthcare providers, expand multilingual healthcare services, and integrate informal caregiving into formal support structures. Investment in community-driven healthcare initiatives and targeted outreach programs can help bridge existing service gaps. While home healthcare plays a vital role in supporting aging migrants, structural inequities and cultural barriers continue to hinder equitable access. Addressing these disparities requires comprehensive policy interventions, enhanced provider training, and culturally inclusive care models. Future research should explore innovative frameworks that incorporate culturally responsive practices to ensure effective and equitable home healthcare for aging migrant populations. Full article

With the rapid expansion of Chinese cities, traditional siheyuan in some old urban areas and historic districts have gradually transformed into overcrowded courtyard tenements inhabited primarily by rural migrants. Multiple families reside together in one siheyuan, creating a housing model akin to “shared housing”. Due to the complex relationship between property rights holders and users, coupled with the absence of a unified management and supervision system, siheyuan residents are confronted with the predicament of aging buildings, backward infrastructure, and poor living conditions. Finding a means of improving living conditions while maintaining the existing settlement style and population structure is an issue that demands urgent resolution. This study focuses on Mizhi, an ancient city in Shaanxi Province, China. Through the investigation and mapping of 31 typical siheyuan and in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 160 families, it reveals the property rights division, current spatial usage, and future demands of the residents of traditional settlements dominated by siheyuan and proposes suggestions for their renewal. This study finds that siheyuan can be categorized into three types based on property rights, that the primary motivation for migration is to access quality educational resources, and that the insufficiency of per capita facilities is the primary source of inconvenience in residents’ lives. Future siheyuan renewal efforts should adopt a multi-stakeholder framework that integrates the government, urban planners, and residents. Improving the residential environment requires a dual strategy: optimizing spatial design and strengthening policy management. This research provides fundamental data for the protection and renewal of siheyuan and has practical reference value for formulating future settlement development strategies. Full article

This comparative study examines how geographic isolation and out-migrant motivations shape support systems in two aging, depopulated rural areas of Japan: Shimogo Town and Nanmoku Village. Challenging the prevailing policies’ focus on internal migration as the primary solution for regional revitalization, we highlight the “relationship population”—a specific group of out-migrated family members who maintain ties to their hometowns—and their diverse contributions to rural sustainability. We employed a mixed-methods approach, including quantitative analyses of aging-oriented household survey questionnaires (using multiple correspondence analysis, multinomial logistic regression, k-means, and two-step cluster analysis) and qualitative analyses of interviews with local government officials and residents (case studies in Nanmoku). Our analysis reveals contrasting support patterns: Shimogo exhibits a localized system driven by resident needs, while Nanmoku employs a strategic approach balancing practical support and community engagement. These findings underscore the limitations of one-size-fits-all migration policies and indicate the need for strategies tailored to the local characteristics of each community. By recognizing the diverse motivations behind hometown visits and the contributions to both residents and communities from the “relationship population”, this research advocates shifting the focus from promoting migration to the interplay of family ties, local support systems, and the agency of residents and out-migrated families. This perspective offers actionable insights for policymakers, local leaders, and researchers working on rural revitalization. Full article

Chinese cities have made significant progress in fostering low-carbon societies and piloting a variety of low-carbon measures. Nonetheless, the effective implementation of these initiatives and the long-term upkeep of related amenities rely heavily on resident support. The existing studies provide limited insight into how local residents perceive and endorse different types of low-carbon measures, which often involve varying trade-offs. Addressing this gap, the present study surveyed the willingness to pay (WTP) of residents in Hangzhou—an early adopter of low-carbon practices in China—across five representative low-carbon measures. Survey data were collected from 13 distinct residential neighborhoods. The results indicate that Hangzhou residents are more inclined to financially support measures offering direct personal benefits compared to those benefiting the collective good, with this tendency being notably pronounced among highly educated individuals. Further findings include the following: (1) respondents aware of ongoing low-carbon measures were more willing to pay for them; (2) male respondents, recent migrants (within the past five years), high-income groups, and residents in aging communities tended to contribute higher amounts; (3) providing detailed information on carbon mitigation effects markedly increased both the likelihood and the magnitude of WTP; (4) the promotion of new energy vehicles (NEVs) remains contentious, particularly between NEV owners and gasoline vehicle owners. These findings highlight the need for targeted policies and educational programs to strengthen public awareness and support for low-carbon interventions, thereby advancing sustainability in fast-growing urban centers like Hangzhou. Overall, these findings provide key insights for the formulation of low-carbon city policies and sustainable urban planning, emphasizing the global importance of local socioeconomic dynamics and offering a valuable reference for cities worldwide seeking to advance sustainability transitions and meet international climate targets. Full article

Migration generates changes in the quality of life (QoL) of immigrants. One of the difficulties that the process of migrating can entail is discrimination, which is the set of negative attitudes towards a person, in this case, because of their nationality. Objective: To analyze the effect that the sense of coherence (SOC) has on the relationship that discrimination by national origin has on quality of life. Method: The WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire was used to assess QoL, and Krieger’s Perceived Discrimination Experiences scale and Antonovsky’s SOC-13 scale were applied to 2144 participants (49.9% women), aged between 18 and 82 years, from Venezuela, Colombia and Peru, all of them being first generation migrants living in Chile. Results: In all the national groups evaluated, discrimination has an inverse relationship with both QoL and SOC, while the latter has a positive relationship with QoL. The direct effect of discrimination on QoL life is found to be smaller when this relationship is mediated by the presence of the SOC. This proposed model has good goodness-of-fit indicators in the three national groups evaluated. Conclusions: A strong and well-defined life purpose, a perception of greater control over surrounding events and situations, and perceiving life events as understandable and consistent can be an effective tools to diminish the effect of discrimination on quality of life in the migrant population. Full article

Background: Strongyloidiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by the nematode Strongyloides stercoralis. In immunosuppressed patients, it may progress to hyperinfection syndrome (HIS) and disseminated strongyloidiasis (DS), both of which are associated with high mortality rates. We reviewed cases of HIS and DS in a Spanish hospital located in an area with endemic strongyloidiasis. Methods: All of the patients who met the HIS or DIS criteria between 1999 and 2023 at the Vega Baja Hospital in Orihuela (Alicante, Spain) were included. Results: Five patients were identified, four of them autochthonous (median age 72 years, 80% male), with three cases of HIS and two cases of DS in the form of meningitis, due to E. faecalis and E. coli. The most common risk factor, observed in three patients, was corticosteroid use. Two patients died. Conclusions: This case series highlights the severity of infections in immunocompromised patients in an endemic area of Spain, emphasizing the need to establish screening protocols for patients at risk of immunosuppression, including both locals and migrants. Full article

Background: In this qualitative study, we aimed to evaluate the knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes of Syrian pregnant women living in Türkiye toward tetanus vaccination, vaccine hesitations, and the perceived benefits and harms of the tetanus vaccine. Methods: In face-to-face, in-depth interviews, an open-ended, semi-structured interview guide was used by an interviewer and translator who spoke Arabic, which is the mother tongue of the participants. Codes, themes, and subthemes were created. Results: In the study, face-to-face in-depth interviews were conducted with a total of 16 pregnant women. The median age of the pregnant women was 26.5 years (18.0–41.0). The median time since they arrived in Türkiye as migrants was 8.5 years (3.0–10.0). The themes were “Beliefs about vaccines”, “Information about vaccines”, “Knowledge, beliefs and attitudes about tetanus vaccine”, “Reasons for vaccination desire”, “Reasons for not being vaccinated”, and “Problems experienced while receiving health services”. Pregnant women mostly mentioned that vaccines have benefits. Most of the women stated that tetanus vaccine is needed to protect from diseases. There were no women thinking that vaccines are harmful. Some of them only mentioned the minor side effects observed after vaccination. Participants mentioned that they get information about vaccines from relatives such as family and friends, health professionals, television, and social media. However, some women talked about the fact that they had no knowledge about vaccines. A lack of knowledge and not visiting the health institution were the reasons for not being vaccinated. Conclusions: Although participants mostly believed that vaccination is necessary and has benefits, some women had no idea about the exact purpose of vaccines. This lack of knowledge may cause vaccine hesitancy and refusal. Full article