Refugee and Migrant Health Literacy Interventions in High-Income Countries: A Systematic Review

Fox, Samara; Kramer, Erik Seth; Agrawal, Pooja; Annamalai, Aniyizhai

doi:10.1007/s10903-021-01152-4

Cited by 18 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 50 publications

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“…9,16 There are limited numbers of published studies regarding providing health literacy education for refugees. 17 A systematic review of 23 randomized controlled trials found heterogeneity regarding areas of educational focus and countries of participant origin.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A quantitative and qualitative analysis of a medication health literacy workshop for newly and recently arrived refugees

Prescott,

Karunakaran,

Thandar

2024

J Am Coll Clin Pharm

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IntroductionRefugees entering the United States are often unfamiliar with the healthcare system and have different medication beliefs. Since 2016, pharmacy students and faculty have been conducting medication literacy workshops to improve knowledge of medications for newly arriving refugees.ObjectivesThe primary study objective was to measure the newly arriving refugees' medication knowledge after a one‐time educational workshop.MethodsThis was a retrospective quantitative and qualitative evaluation. Participants engaged in a student‐led 90‐min educational workshop utilizing interpreters, translated materials, and demonstrations. Topics included medical definitions, information on getting sick, medication use, and label reading. A translated, postworkshop evaluation included 22 questions grouped into the following categories: demographics (n = 4), medication use (n = 7), label reading (n = 6), access (n = 3), and cultural beliefs (n = 2). Three optional, free‐response questions regarding overall workshop feedback were included. Quantitative data was analyzed utilizing descriptive statistics. Thematic analysis was used to analyze qualitative data. Two independent coders reviewed each free‐response question and discussed any discrepancies for consensus. The study team developed key themes based on the codes.ResultsTwenty‐one workshops were conducted with 419 participants from 42 countries. Correct responses were highest for medication beliefs (84%), label reading (78%), access (74%), and medication use (73%). Prescription label reading ability was high (86%), while preventative medicine understanding was lower (34%). Three major learning themes developed, including (1) Cultural differences impact medication habits, (2) Knowing provider roles and how to access different services in healthcare settings was important, and (3) Understanding how to read a label was useful. Researchers found that demonstrations were helpful in participants' learning and that additional education on prevention and specific disease states would be useful.ConclusionNewly and recently arrived refugees were able to correctly identify basic medication health information through a medication literacy workshop. Additional classes exploring other topics, including preventative medicine and medications, should be considered.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A quantitative and qualitative analysis of a medication health literacy workshop for newly and recently arrived refugees

Prescott,

Karunakaran,

Thandar

2024

J Am Coll Clin Pharm

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“… 51 Revealing the challenges of the migrant workers is only the first step to promote preventive behaviors and reduce the risk of these vulnerable people. Effective interventions for health literacy could improve health issues of migrant populations, 52 and tailored communicative technologies are expected to empower migrant workers to stay informed, sustain preventive behaviors, and improve communication for both information seekers and healthcare providers. 53 , 54 More specifically, the multi-media content could help grow individual's knowledge and self-care skills and empower them to be active in their care.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring low-income migrant workers’ health information-seeking behavior during COVID-19 in Taiwan: A qualitative study

2022

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Background COVID-19 pandemic is reported to exacerbate existing vulnerabilities of marginalized groups, and the lack of self-care can lead to the spread of the virus across society. Therefore, effective responses to the challenges imposed by the health crisis should consider the health information needs of migrant workers. Objective We aimed to explore how migrant low-income workers seek health information and how their health-related information needs were met during a health crisis. We also investigated migrant workers’ preferred information sources and types of content with the theoretical concept of health literacy to understand the development of health competencies among migrant workers. Methods We conducted semi-structured interviews with Thai low-income migrant workers. A total of 13 Thai migrant workers participated in the study, among whom five were undocumented. The interviews were audio-taped, transcribed, and analyzed with the thematic analysis approach. Results Our findings indicated that migrant workers’ health literacy and health information behavior could be improved through technology when facing a health crisis. We found that participants sought health information proactively to reduce their perceived risks. However, there is still space for design to support the ability to process jargon information and apply local policy, such as providing easy-to-understand, accurate, and timely information. The findings of this study provide some insights for the authority and technological design to respond to migrant workers’ health information needs. Conclusions This study acknowledges and understands the needs of vulnerable migrant workers in society. The findings of this study provide insights for the authority and technological design to respond to migrant workers’ health information needs. We also outline the areas worth further investigation, such as the communication between information seekers and providers, and the navigation of the healthcare system for migrants in the host country.

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“…The previous section on the health of refugees notes the precarious conditions in which refugee populations may find themselves, even in the final host country and after formal recognition of their refugee status. As determinants of health, improvements in the physical environment will prevent the spread of communicable diseases, and education, literacy, social support and coping behaviour will all contribute to the inclusion of these populations in the host country's society (Fox et al, 2022). Perhaps the most important element is employment and working conditions.…”

Section: Social Determinants Of Healthmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These main determinants are: Income and social status. Employment and working conditions. Education and literacy. Childhood experiences. Physical environments. Social supports and coping skills. Healthy behaviours. Access to health services. The previous section on the health of refugees notes the precarious conditions in which refugee populations may find themselves, even in the final host country and after formal recognition of their refugee status. As determinants of health, improvements in the physical environment will prevent the spread of communicable diseases, and education, literacy, social support and coping behaviour will all contribute to the inclusion of these populations in the host country’s society (Fox et al, 2022).…”

Section: Social Determinants Of Healthmentioning

confidence: 99%

The extension of social health protection to refugees

Ron,

Nitzan

2023

Int Social Security Review

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The target populations to be covered in this article on the extension of social protection coverage are refugees, as defined by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Our approach to their coverage is based on the pillars of public health and social protection, which together provide the rationale and legislative basis for coverage. The social protection benefits to be covered are comprehensive health services, providing entitlement to services without conditions such as prior contributions or duration of residence. Refugees are vulnerable since they come from conflict areas or go through persecution and personal threat. They carry grief from the loss of family members and friends, property and livelihood, and social and cultural support. Some have sustained injuries before rescue and evacuation and need additional care. They may have chronic diseases and need medications they can no longer access. Some may have communicable diseases, such as tuberculosis, and children may have missed scheduled mandatory vaccinations. Refugees are vulnerable to new and re‐emerging infections, as seen in the COVID–19 pandemic. While the focus in this article is on providing health care, the social determinants of health are addressed, including access to education, employment with decent working conditions, and safe environments. We focus on coverage by national authorities and institutions, legislative amendments to enable entitlement to non‐citizens, and provide national examples. Experience has shown that coverage is feasible with the assistance and guidance of international and local organizations and associations and with an acceptance by the existing social protection institutions of the benefits of extending coverage to new members. This article concurs with the principle and pledge of the 2030 Social Development Goals of the United Nations to “leave no one behind”.

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Refugee and Migrant Health Literacy Interventions in High-Income Countries: A Systematic Review

Cited by 18 publications

References 50 publications

A quantitative and qualitative analysis of a medication health literacy workshop for newly and recently arrived refugees

A quantitative and qualitative analysis of a medication health literacy workshop for newly and recently arrived refugees

Exploring low-income migrant workers’ health information-seeking behavior during COVID-19 in Taiwan: A qualitative study

The extension of social health protection to refugees

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