Springer Science and Business Media LLC

A large proportion of Americans have the opinion that immigrants increase crime. Although past research has not found immigrant status to be associated with criminal behavior, American immigration policy has historically discriminated against certain groups based on their region of birth due to safety concerns. The purpose of the present study was to examine differences in externalizing behavior by immigrant’s region of birth. Data was used from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Kindergarten Cohort (ECLS-K), a nationally representative and longitudinal study of 21,260 kindergarteners. A series of Poisson regression models were used to predict externalizing behavior of fifth grade students from immigrant status and parent’s region of birth. Analyses controlled for demographic characteristics of the child and family and were adjusted by probability weights and primary sampling unit provided by the ECLS-K. After controlling for family income and parents’ educational status, immigrant youth had 0.04 lower externalizing behavior scores compared to native-born American youth (B = − 0.04, 95% CI − 0.06 to − 0.01). When considering differences by region of origin, youth from Asia (B = − 0.12, 95% CI − 0.17 to − 0.07) and Central America (B = − 0.10, 95% CI − 0.14 to − 0.05) had significantly lower externalizing behavior compared to native-born American youth, after controlling for covariates. In fifth grade, immigrant youth have significantly lower rates of externalizing behavior than native-born Americans. In particular, immigrant youth from Asia and Central America engaged in significantly less externalizing behavior than native-born Americans. No region of origin engaged in significantly more externalizing behavior than native-born youth.

Few studies have investigated the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and C virus (HCV) infection among Vietnamese Americans (VAs). The purpose of this paper is to assess the prevalence of HBV and HCV infection, identify the sociodemographic characteristics of the HBV infected population and the level of HBV knowledge among VAs in the Baltimore–Washington metropolitan areas with data from a health fair in 2011. A total of 617 VAs received serological testing for HBV and HCV, and 329 completed a survey of HBV knowledge assessment. About 9 % were infected with HBV and 5 % with HCV. Vietnamese Americans younger than 30 years had the highest HBV prevalence (13.1 %) followed by those age 41–50 years (12.1 %). The prevalence of HCV infection was particularly higher among those older than 70 years old (13.9 %). Misunderstanding HBV as a food-borne disease is prevalent among VAs. Efforts to develop public health screening and education programs targeting this population are warranted.

Little research has been conducted to examine whether correlates of sexual risk vary by nativity among Latino men who have sex with men (MSM). We used cross sectional data collected from 870 Latino MSM recruited with respondent-driven sampling techniques. For each sub-sample (US-born and foreign-born), we assessed the association between each of the potential correlates (substance use, acculturation, social support, and social discrimination) and sexual risk behavior. Illicit drug use was associated with increased odds of sexual risk behavior in both US-born (OR = 2.17, 95 % CI 1.17–4.03) and foreign-born (OR = 1.86, 1.14–3.05) subgroups. Multivariate correlates specific to foreign-born men included binge drinking (OR = 1.91, 1.17–3.14), 15 years or longer spent in the US (OR = 1.79, 1.06–3.03) and exposure to social discrimination (OR = 2.02, 1.03–3.99). Given the diversity of Latino MSM, information from research that identifies both common and different HIV risk factors across subgroups of Latino MSM may help better tailor HIV prevention programs.

Female Genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is associated with enduring psychiatric complications. In this study, we investigate the rates of co-morbid abuses and polyvictimization experienced by survivors of FGM/C. This is a sub-analysis of a cohort study examining the patient population at the EMPOWER Center for Survivors of Sex Trafficking and Sexual Violence in New York City. A retrospective chart-review of electronic medical records was conducted for all consenting adult patients who had FGM/C and had an intake visit between January 16, 2014 and March 6, 2020. Of the 80 participants, ages ranged from 20 to 62 years with a mean of 37.4 (SD = 9.1) years. In addition to FGM/C, participants were victims of physical abuse (43; 53.8%), emotional abuse (35; 43.8%), sexual abuse (35; 43.8%), forced marriage (20; 25%), child marriage (13; 16.3%), and sex trafficking (1; 1.4%). There was a high degree of polyvictimization, with 41 (51.2%) experiencing 3 or more of the aforementioned abuses. Having FGM/C on or after age 13 or having a higher total abuse score was also found to be strong predictors of depression and PTSD. The high rates of polyvictimization among survivors of FGM/C are associated with development of depression and PTSD. Despite co-morbid abuses, patients still attribute substantial psychiatric symptoms to their FGM/C. Health care providers should understand the high risk of polyvictimization when caring for this patient population.

This qualitative study examines help-seeking pathways to depression care of low-income Latinos with diabetes and major depression. A purposive sample (N = 19) of Spanish-speaking, immigrant, low-income Latinos was selected from a randomized clinical trial targeting Latinos with diabetes and major depression. Four focus groups followed by 10 in-depth qualitative interviews were conducted. Narratives were analyzed using the constant comparative method informed by grounded theory. Need for formal care was described in relation to acute somatic symptoms, functional impairment, and mood changes. Treatment initiation occurred through family members and primary care physicians who encouraged or inhibited help-seeking. Adherence to depression care focused on interpersonal aspects of care, evaluated symptom relief, and improved functioning. Help-seeking barriers included self-reliance, language barriers, stigma, competing health demands, and structural barriers. Findings from this study highlight potential points of intervention for developing culturally-appropriate collaborative care approaches for low-income Latinos with diabetes and major depression.

Although breast cancer is the second leading cause of death among women in the United States, women from ethnic minorities still underutilize mammogram screenings. Immigrant Muslim women (IMW) demonstrated low mammogram screening rates compared to the national target of 77.1% determined by Healthy People 2030. Although IMW comprise an understudied population in the health field, a limited number of studies have proposed that Islamic religious beliefs have an impact on their behaviors and practices in regard to mammogram use. This study aimed to understand the meanings IMW ascribe to their religious beliefs in relation to mammogram utilization. A qualitative thematic analysis study was conducted on a purposive sample. A total of 28 IMW were recruited for one-on-one interviews in either Arabic or English, and inductive thematic analysis as per Braun and Clarke (2008) informed data analysis, guided by symbolic interactionism. A total of 28 interviews (10 in English and 18 in Arabic) were conducted with IMW whose mean age was 54.7. During these interviews, three major themes emerged regarding the participants’ experience with mammograms, within the context of their religious beliefs: (a) ‘Your body is a trust,’ (b) the notions of al-tawakkul and al-tawaakoul, and (c) religious methods for coping with mammogram use. Results from this study suggests some religious means that can be integrated into an educational program designed for IMW to enhance their mammogram screening rates.

Despite increased use and accuracy of interferon-gamma release assays to detect latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in foreign-born arrivals in the United States, risk characteristics associated with positive results are not well characterized. We conducted a retrospective record review of 541 refugees and immigrants screened for LTBI with QuantiFERON®-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-IT) at the Spokane Public Health Clinic from January 2, 2008, through June 5, 2009. Overall, 24 % of the arrivals had a positive QFT-IT, with the greatest frequency of positive results occurring in arrivals from Liberia (100 %) and Bhutan (39 %). More than the expected number of Burmese had indeterminate QFT-IT results. A positive QFT-IT was associated with age, race, ethnicity, and extent of TB burden in the country of origin. QFT-IT is useful to screen for LTBI in foreign-born arrivals, particularly middle-aged adults from high-burden countries. However, the QFT-IT may not yield meaningful results in groups with significant immunocompromise.

This study uses data from the NLAAS to investigate the relationship between culture and the level of psychiatric needs. Contrary to trends, those U.S. born with non-serious disorders were less likely to use mental health services. Results indicate that in order to effectively treat Asian Americans with mental health disorders, interventions need to take into account service use patterns that are impacted by both acculturation and the level of need.

South Asians face stressors as a growing immigrant group in America. Work is needed to understand how these stressors impact mental health to identify those at risk of depression and design interventions. This study examined associations of three stressors (discrimination, low social support, limited English proficiency) with depressive symptoms in South Asians. Using cross-sectional data from the Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America study (N = 887), we fit logistic regression models to evaluate independent/joint effects of three stressors on depression. Overall prevalence of depression was 14.8%; 69.2% of those with all three stressors had depression. The combined effect of high discrimination/low social support was significantly greater than the sum of the individual factors. Experiences of discrimination, low social support, or limited English proficiency, as well as a combination of these factors, should be considered when diagnosing/treating South Asian immigrants in a culturally appropriate manner.