Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Population immigrante'

Les maladies foliaires fongiques sont une contrainte majeure des systèmes céréaliers. Elles constituent par ailleurs de précieux modèles d'étude pour comprendre comment commence une épidémie, questionnement récurrent en épidémiologie végétale. Dans cette thèse ont été étudiés trois des principaux déterminants des phases précoces des épidémies de septoriose du blé causée par Zymoseptoria tritici : quantité, efficacité et origine de l'inoculum primaire. L'étude a porté sur deux épidémies successives dans deux parcelles de blé proches l’une de l’autre au sein d'un dispositif pluriannuel (2011-2013 ; Grignon, France). La première parcelle, caractérisée par l'absence de résidus, était exposée à des sources distantes d'inoculum primaire, et la seconde, en monoculture de blé depuis plusieurs années, présentait une quantité importante de résidus contaminés agissant comme source locale d'inoculum primaire. Dans la première partie de la thèse, la capture d’ascospores à l’aide d’un piège volumétrique couplé à une quantification de l'ADN par qPCR a permis de quantifier l'inoculum primaire présent dans l'air au-dessus des parcelles pendant les phases épidémiques précoces. Les limites de détection et de quantification ont été déterminées, discutées et utilisées afin d'estimer de faibles quantités d’ascospores. Ni la présence locale de résidus contaminés ni la quantité d’inoculum au-dessus des parcelles n'ont été corrélées avec la précocité des deux épidémies. Dans la seconde partie, la pathogénicité des ascospores et des pycnidiospores de Z. tritici a été estimée sur plante adulte et comparée. La période de latence consécutive à une infection par ascospore a été plus longue de 60 degrés-jour qu’après une infection par une pycnidiospore. Dans la troisième partie de la thèse, qui visait à identifier l'origine de l'inoculum primaire, deux stratégies ont été adoptées. La première stratégie a consisté à rechercher des changements dans la structure génétique de différentes sous-populations collectées dans les deux parcelles sur une période de trois années en utilisant des marqueurs neutres (SSR). Aucune structure n'a été identifiée, mais de légères différenciations chez certaines sous-populations, cohérentes avec le contexte épidémiologique (nature du cycle de reproduction dont elles découlent, période épidémique, intensité de maladie), ont été mises en évidence. Ces résultats n'ont toutefois pas permis de déterminer l'origine de l'inoculum primaire puisqu'aucune différence entre les sous-populations résidantes (locales) et immigrantes (distantes), ni de discontinuité génétique entre sous-populations de fin (saison n) et de début d'épidémie (saison n+1), n'a été mise en évidence. La seconde stratégie a consisté à comparer le profil d'agressivité (capacité de sporulation et période de latence) d’une population de Z. tritici collectée en début d’épidémie dans la parcelle en monoculture de blé, à celui d'une population résidante (ascospores issues des résidus présents dans la parcelle) et d'une population immigrante (lésions provoquées par des ascospores d'origine distante). Le profil de la population testée, plus proche de celui de la population résidante, a suggéré que l'épidémie avait été déclenchée majoritairement par un inoculum primaire d’origine locale. Il ressort de cette étude de cas qu’une gestion quantitative (réduction) de l'inoculum primaire serait probablement très peu efficace, tandis que sa gestion qualitative, tenant compte de l'adaptation différentielle de populations pathogènes à leurs hôtes, mériterait d’être intégrée dans des stratégies de protection (alternance de variétés dans le temps). Pour finir, la définition du début et de la fin d'une épidémie a été discutée, selon que l’on se place à une échelle annuelle (absence de l’hôte comme critère de début/fin) ou pluriannuelle (discontinuité de pression pathogène comme critère de début/fin, indépendamment de l’absence de l'hôte)
Fungal foliar diseases are a major constraint to cereal production systems. They constitute relevant models to elucidate how an epidemic begins, which is a recurrent question in plant disease epidemiology. In this thesis three of the main components of the early stages of the epidemics of septoria tritici blotch, a wheat disease caused by Zymoseptoria tritici, were studied: the quantity, the efficiency and the origin of primary inoculum. The study focused on epidemics occurring over the 2011-2013 cultural seasons in two wheat plots located close to each other in Grignon (France). The first plot, characterized by the absence of debris, was exposed to distant sources of primary inoculum, while the second plot, grown in wheat for several years, had a large amount of contaminated debris acting as a local source of primary inoculum. In the first part of the thesis, ascospore trapping using a volumetric spore trap combined with DNA quantification by qPCR allowed to quantify the inoculums present in the air above the wheat plots during the early stages of the epidemics. The limits of detection and quantification were determined, discussed and used to estimate small amounts of ascospores. Neither the local presence of contaminated debris nor the quantity of inoculum above the plots was correlated with the earliness of the epidemics. In the second part, the pathogenicity of Z. tritici ascospores and pycnidiospores was estimated on adult plants. The latent period following infections by ascospores was 60 degree-days longer than following infection by pycnidiospores. In the third part of the thesis, which aimed to identify the source of primary inoculum, two strategies were developed. The first strategy investigated changes in the genetic structure of different subpopulations collected from both wheat plots over a period of three years using neutral markers (SSR). No structure was identified, but slight differentiations in some subpopulations, consistent with the epidemiological context (nature of the reproduction cycle from which they derived, epidemic period, disease intensity) were highlighted. These results, however, did not allow to determine the origin of the primary inoculum because no difference between resident (local) and immigrant (distant) subpopulations, or a genetic discontinuity between subpopulations from the end (season n) and the beginning of epidemics (season n + 1), were identified. The second strategy compared the aggressiveness profile (sporulation capacity and latent period) of a Z. tritici population collected at the beginning of an epidemic in the monoculture wheat plot and of a resident population (ascospores ejected from debris present in the plot) and to an immigrant population (leaf lesions caused by ascospores of distant origin). The profile of the tested population, closer to that of the resident population, suggested that the epidemic was mainly initiated by primary inoculum of local origin. This case study showed that a quantitative management (reduction) of the primary inoculum would be probably inefficient, while its qualitative management, taking into account the differential adaptation of pathogen populations to their hosts, deserves to be taken into account in crop protection strategies (alternating wheat cultivars in time). Finally, the definition of the beginning and the end of an epidemic was discussed, depending if we consider an annual scale (absence of the host as a beginning or end criterion) or a multiannual scale (pathogen pressure discontinuity as the beginning or end criterion, regardless of the absence of the host)

A lack of adequately built environments can negatively affect obesity rates among adolescents. The purpose of this quantitative cross-sectional study was to determine if there is a relationship between the presence of built environments and childhood obesity among the immigrant population living in Cobb County Georgia. The social ecological model was used to explain how environmental factors may influence behavior. The research questions addressed whether walkability and elements of built environments such as to healthy foods and access to parks and recreational areas of census tracts affect childhood obesity when adjusting for race/ethnicity and immigrant population in Cobb County. Data was collected from government websites. Student enrollment, school ethnicity, and free/reduced lunch data were retrieved from the website, School Digger, which gathered their information from the National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau, and the Georgia Department of Education data sources. Average BMI data were gathered from the Georgia Department of Education 2016-2017 Georgia fitness assessment report. Data were analyzed using independent t-test, Pearson correlation and 1-way ANCOVA. Findings showed a statistical significance with the existence of farmer's markets and child obesity but no significance among the other built environment variables. The results from this study can help community leaders develop an inclusive plan to reduce the occurrence of obesity in adolescents within the target area.

Historically, immigrants to Canada arrive, learn the language, search for satisfying work and lead productive, meaningful lives. However, the barriers are immense. Recently, Vancouver Community College at the King Edward Campus has tried to meet the needs of adult immigrant learners. The diagnosis of learners needs has a high priority in adult education. The general form of the Education Participation Scale (EPS) describes reasons why people partake in adult education programs. However, because the data collected to complete the general EPS was drawn from a middle class population, it did not reflect the reasons tendered by disadvantaged learners. Also, the language used on the instrument was too difficult. Subjects in this study were Adult Basic Education (A.B.E.) students, enrolled in programs at Vancouver Community College, predominately at King Edward Campus. During the first step 150 students were asked about why they were enrolled. These reasons were listed, edited and combined with the general form of the E.P.S. Care was taken to ensure that the items and the instructions could be read at a grade seven level. The 120 item instrument was then administered to a different group of 257 participants at the college where the items had originated. Factor analyses produced a seven factor solution of 42 items with each factor containing 6 items. The seven factors are: Communication Improvement; Social Contact; Educational Preparation; Professional Advancement; Family Togetherness; Social Stimulation; Cognitive Interest. For test retest reliability purposes the instrument was administered twice (with a four week interval between administrations) to 63 participants. Reliability coefficients for each factor, as well as the entire scale, were calculated. The instrument was deemed to be reliable over time. The motivational orientations of people from Canada were compared to those from the Middle East, Asia, East Europe, West and South Europe, Latin and South America and other places. There were significant differences in the mean scores (by country of birth) on the Communication Improvement, Professional Advancement, Social contact and Family Togetherness factors. It appears that a case can be made for arranging unique educational experiences for people with different motivational profiles.
Education, Faculty of
Educational Studies (EDST), Department of
Graduate

Obesity-related diseases have been increasing in African immigrants throughout the United States. Although research has been done to identify risk factors associated with many ethnic groups in the United States, only a few studies exist that explore obesity and type 2 diabetes diseases among Central African immigrants. The conceptual framework for this qualitative case study was social constructivism and the health belief model. The primary research question addressed the potential underlying causes for an increase in obesity and type 2 diabetes among Central African Immigrants. The secondary research questions explored how culture, illiteracy, and religion contribute to the problem of obesity in Central African immigrants, and what strategies could be effective in preventing and reducing the increase of obesity and type 2 diabetes in this population. Interviews with 17 Central African immigrants living in the northeastern U.S. were conducted to explore their social, cultural, and behavioral factors that influence the prevalence of obesity. Interview responses were transcribed and entered into NVivo software for data analysis. The results revealed that socioeconomic issues, cultural differences, and language gaps were the primary risk factors. Feeling stressed and overwhelmed and a lack of communication were also found to be significant. The results could provide health administrators and health educators with a platform for advancing policies and programs to foster greater health and well-being among Central African immigrants and thus contribute to the overall social welfare of Central African immigrants.

HIV/AIDS studies mostly lack distinction between the US-born Blacks and non-US-born Blacks while African Americans (AAs) continues to represent the group with the heaviest burden of AIDS deaths and new diagnosis of HIV. A review of studies on HIV infection in the US, Europe, and other Western countries revealed a knowledge gap on HIV infection with non-refugee African immigrants (NRAIs), especially the Nigerian African Immigrants (NAIs) who are non-US-born Blacks. The purpose of this descriptive phenomenological study is to address this gap by exploring the expressed views of NAIs, a sub-group of the NRAIs living in Houston, Texas, on the issue of HIV infection. In a qualitative research design, 13 NAI individuals aged 18 to 49 were purposively selected for a face-to-face interview. The health belief model provided the conceptual framework for the development of study questions and analysis of the gathered data using the phenomenological approach. The study findings showed that 90% of the participants have knowledge of HIV infection. Even though 100% of the participants acknowledged the severity of unprotected sex and multiple sexual relationships in the acquisition of HIV, 27% engaged in multiple sexual relationships and there was inconsistent use of condoms in 64% of the participants. The participants expressed low levels of perception regarding the threat of contracting HIV in their relationships. Evidence of sexual mixing was found in about 61% of the study participants. This study provided an opportunity for future research with NAIs, an upcoming set of immigrants, in the US. The study also highlighted how knowledge of the NAIs' culture and language can be used in promoting preventative interventions like the use of condoms and HIV testing.

Globally, it is estimated that 240 million people are infected with chronic viral hepatitis B and in excess of 185 million people with chronic hepatitis C. The burden of disease from hepatitis is concentrated in developing countries where transmission of HBV occurs predominantly from mother to child (vertical transmission) and transmission of HCV through unsafe medical procedures and the transfusion of unscreened blood products. Global patterns of migration favour the movement of individuals from countries with medium or high risk prevalence of chronic viral hepatitis to countries with traditionally low prevalence among their indigenous populations, including the United Kingdom (UK). In excess of 3.2% of the global population are international migrants, posing important implications for healthcare systems in host nations. It is predicted that up to 7 million first and second generation immigrants, originating from high prevalence countries for viral hepatitis now reside permanently in the UK. However, as a result of deficiencies in screening initiatives, the prevalence and associated burden of these diseases in these high-risk populations residing in the UK is yet to be determined. In order to establish the feasibility of inviting first and second generation immigrant populations to participate in viral hepatitis testing in primary care, as well to determine the prevalence and demography of viral hepatitis in four areas of the UK, a randomised controlled cross sectional cluster trial was conducted. In HepFree clinical computer systems in general practice surgeries were interrogated to identify the target population that was then approached using a variety of different invitations to determine the most appropriate method for engaging this population. The outcomes of viral hepatitis testing from practices in one area of the UK are described in this thesis. Despite multiple challenges encountered both in engaging practices and individuals in trial participation, results of this investigation suggest that if it is found to be cost effective, then viral hepatitis screening is feasible and the burden of disease in the UK is concentrated in first generation immigrants.

This thesis analyzes German immigration to Canada in the period following the Second World War and primarily focuses on the settlement of these immigrants in Vancouver. By examining residential patterns, economic experiences, the role of German churches and Saturday schools, language retention, and the secular organizations maintained by Vancouver's German population, it becomes apparent that Germans' attempt to adjust to Canadian circumstances entailed two, seemingly contradictory phenomena: speedy integration and assimilation into the mainstream of Canadian society on one hand, and support for ethnic social, economic, religious, educational, and cultural institutions on the other. The study concludes that assimilation and ethnicity were thus not mutually exclusive. Immigration gave individuals the opportunity to weigh alternatives with regard to social form and institutions, personal values, and the role of their ethnicity in the new life offered by Canada. Consequently, involvement in the local German community may be attributed to as complex causes as the supersession of ethnic origin as a basis of association by other sources of group identification. Yet, even though German-Canadians were highly assimilated into Canadian society by the end of the postwar period, they may have preserved a sense of ethnic identity that did not manifest itself in any visible behaviour.
Arts, Faculty of
History, Department of
Graduate

Chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases are a global concern. In recent decades, Canada has also experienced a major increase in immigration. Yet, a detailed profile of chronic disease and multimorbidity risk patterns across different immigrant populations has been lacking in Canada. The purpose of this dissertation is to identify knowledge gaps in the scientific literature on the development of chronic conditions and multimorbidity across immigrant populations in Ontario, using population-based immigrant and health data housed at ICES. The principal findings of this dissertation indicate that: 1. The risk of developing a chronic condition and multimorbidity was complex and varied by immigrants’ visa category and world region origin since: a. Refugees had the highest risk of developing a chronic condition and multimorbidity (two or more co-occurring chronic conditions) compared to long-term Ontario residents. b. There were differences in the risk of developing a chronic condition and multimorbidity by world regions of origin, when examined across different immigrant categories. 2. Hypertension and diabetes, and in combination with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease were the leading multimorbidity dyad and triad groups for all immigrant categories and long-term residents of Ontario. 3. The risk of developing a chronic condition increased among immigrants in more recent landing cohorts. The risk was highest among more recent refugees, and lower for family and economic class immigrants, when compared to long-term Ontario residents. These findings provide evidence to inform public health policy and planning by highlighting the complexity and heterogeneity of health outcomes across immigrant populations. Knowledge generated from this work will inform policies and evidence-based decision-making aimed to address the threat of chronic diseases and reduce health disparities.

Background: Immigrants have higher mortality from chronic viral hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma as compared to those born in Canada. Approximately 20% of this burden is likely due to hepatitis C (HCV). Despite this disparity there are no screening programs to detect chronic HCV in immigrants after arrival in Canada. This is partly due to a lack of population-based data describing the burden of chronic HCV in immigrants.Methods: To fill this gap, we created a case series of all cases of chronic hepatitis C reported from 1991-2008 in Québec through linking the MADO (Québec Reportable Disease) database to 5 other Québec administrative databases; the MICC (Québec Landed Immigrants), the RAMQ (Québec provincial health insurance and physician billing) and the hospitalization databases. Reported rates were estimated using the reported number of cases in immigrants and non-immigrants during the study period. Québec census data from 1991, 1996, 2001, and 2006 (stratified by immigrant and non-immigrant status) was used for the denominator. Rates, rate ratios, and 95% CIS were calculated using the Poisson distribution. Proportions of cases with chronic hepatitis C associated complications were calculated and compared in immigrants and non-immigrants. Results: A total of 20,459 cases of chronic hepatitis C (1,980 immigrants and 18,479 non-immigrants) were reported between 1998-2007. Cases from 1991-1997 were excluded due to incomplete laboratory reporting during this period. Immigrant cases were older (mean age 47.1 vs. 43.1 years, p < 0.0001) and were less likely to be male (53.1% vs. 68.2%, p <0.0001). The overall rate of chronic hepatitis C was similar for immigrants and non-immigrants [rates/100,000 (95%CI) were 25.2 (24.1-26.4) vs. 27.8 (27.4-28.2), rate ratio= 0.91]. Immigrants from several world regions however had higher rates of chronic hepatitis C as compared to the non-immigrant population; Eastern Europe/Central Asia [77.6 (68.2-87.0) rate ratio = 2.8], Sub-Saharan Africa [60.2 (51.5-68.8), rate ratio = 2.2], South Asia [48.1 (41.5-54.7), rate ratio = 1.7]. Immigrants had a higher proportion of compensated cirrhosis (15.1% vs. 12.9%, p= 0.007) and hepatocellular carcinoma (1.2% vs. 0.6%, p= 0.005) compared to non-immigrantsConclusions: Immigrants from several world regions are at increased risk for chronic hepatitis C, have a higher proportion of hepatitis C related complications and are diagnosed a mean of > 8 years after arrival in Canada. Many immigrants would therefore benefit from early screening and appropriately timed treatment for chronic hepatitis C to decrease associated morbidity and mortality.
Introduction : Les immigrants ont un plus haut taux de mortalité causée par l'hépatite virale chronique et le carcinome hépatocellulaire comparativement aux individus nés au Canada. Approximativement 20% de ce fardeau serait dû au virus de l'hépatite C (VHC). En dépit de cette disparité, il n'existe aucun programme de dépistage du VHC chez les immigrants à leur arrivée au Canada. Ceci est en partie dû au manque de données basées sur des populations décrivant le fardeau du VHC chronique chez les immigrants. Méthodes : Afin de pourvoir à ce manque, nous avons créé une série de cas de tous les cas d'hépatite C chronique rapportés entre 1991-2008 au Québec en reliant la base de données MADO (Maladies à Déclaration Obligatoire du Québec) à cinq autres bases de données administratives québécoises; le MICC (immigrants arrivés au Québec), la RAMQ (assurance maladie provinciale du Québec et facturation des médecins) et les bases de données d'hospitalisation. Les taux rapportés ont été estimés en utilisant le nombre de cas rapportés chez les immigrants et les non immigrants durant la période d'étude. Les données de recensements de 1991, 1996, 2001 et 2006 (stratifiées en statut d'immigrant ou non immigrant) ont été utilisées comme dénominateur. Les taux d'incidences (TI), TI relatifs et les IC 95% ont été calculés avec la distribution de Poisson. La proportion de cas avec complications associées à l'hépatite C chronique a été calculée et comparée chez les immigrants et non immigrants. Résultats : Un total de 20 459 cas d'hépatite C chronique (1 980 immigrants et 18 479 non immigrants) ont été rapportés entre 1998-2007. Les cas datant de 1991 à 1997 ont été exclus dû au manque d'information complète de méthodes de laboratoire durant cette période. Les cas d'immigrants étaient plus âgés (âge moyen de 47.1 vs 43.1 années, p<0.0001) et moins probables chez les hommes (53.1% vs 68.2%, p <0.0001). Le TI d'hépatite C chronique était similaire entre immigrants et non immigrants [TI/100 000 (IC 95%) étaient de 25.1 (24.1-26.4) vs 27.8 (27.4-28.2), TI relatif = 0.91]. Les immigrants de plusieurs régions du monde, cependant, avaient un TI plus élevé d'hépatite C chronique comparativement aux non immigrants : l'Europe de l'Est/l'Asie centrale [77.6 (68.2-87.0), TI relatif = 1.7], l'Afrique subsaharienne [60.2 (51.5-68.8), TI relatif = 2.2], l'Asie du Sud [48.1 (41.5-54.7), TI relatif = 1.7]. Les immigrants avaient une proportion plus élevée de cirrhose compensée (15.1% vs 12.9%, p = 0.007) et de carcinome hépatocellulaire (1.2% vs 0.6%, p = 0.005) comparativement aux non immigrants. Conclusions : Les immigrants de plusieurs régions du monde sont à un risque plus élevé d'hépatite C chronique, ont une proportion plus élevée de complications liées à l'hépatite C et reçoivent un diagnostic en moyenne >8 ans après leur arrivée au Canada. Beaucoup d'immigrants bénéficieraient donc du dépistage et du traitement précoces pour l'hépatite C afin de diminuer la morbidité et la mortalité qui y sont associées.

The main purpose of this Master Essay is to analyse the integration of Ethiopian immigrants in Sweden between 1990 and 2000. My hypothesis has been that Ethiopian immigrants in Sweden constitute a group whose prospects to integrate are fairly low, but whose prospects to integrate also depend on the sex-composition and the length of staying in Sweden. In my analysis of the chosen group’s immigration pattern and integration, I have used a longitudinal database of the Swedish population where information on income and employment are included. I have analysed the group’s labour market participation and their prospects to reduce and eventually close the income gap in relation to the working aged population in Sweden.

The regime of control in Ethiopia between 1977 and 1991 forced hundreds of thousands of mostly young Ethiopians to flee to Europe and USA. Between 1985 and 2000, 8033 Ethiopians immigrated to Sweden. The peak years were 1989 and 1991, preceded by a dramatic increase of the number of Ethiopians who immigrated to Sweden. After 1991 the immigration from Ethiopia to Sweden declined rapidly to a similarly low level as before 1985.

Nevertheless, when analysing the age-composition, those aged 18-29 years were shown to be in majority throughout the whole period as mostly young Ethiopians were forced to flee before 1991. Also, younger persons are more likely to migrate than older persons. The spectacular decrease of Ethiopian immigration to Sweden was probably linked to the former regime’s capitulation in 1991. In addition, Eritrea’s outbreak from Ethiopia in 1991 also had consequences on the numbers of Ethiopian immigrants to Sweden as Eritreans were no longer categorized as Ethiopians. Up to 1991, men were more likely to immigrate, but after then females were clearly in majority.

The frequency of not being employed has decreased considerably among Ethiopian immigrants throughout the period. At the same time, the income gap between them and the population in general was reduced even though it remained large in the whole period. The decrease in the proportion of Ethiopian immigrants without employment was larger for the females than for the males, and even if men had higher incomes throughout the period, women’s income approached that. Thus it seems that the integration process is on its way for Ethiopian immigrants, especially for the women. The age-composition is probably an important factor behind the group’s relatively successful integration given the large share of working aged persons.

The resettlement of immigrant and refugee populations poses specific challenges to new host communities. Municipalities must find resources to assist these populations in transitioning into a new culture. Immediate needs are often adequate housing, health care, and primary schooling. While this transitioning process is still in play, the search for employment begins; often at the cost of consideration of longer-term needs, such as English or other host country language acquisition and planning for long-term career goals. Theorists in the field of social capital postulate that bonding and bridging social capital offers benefits for populations adjusting to new communities. Connections to like-minded individuals or pre-existing ethnic ties (bonding social capital) can provide support important to the well-being of individuals going through difficult social adjustments while connecting with new social groups (bridging social capital) can provide new information leading to expanding opportunities. The concept of bridging social capital for immigrant and refugee populations is the subject of this research study. It is situated within the context of our digital age in which information communication technology (ICT) is the primary mode of access to information and services. For the purpose of this thesis, the capability to exploit this mode of communication is thus identified as “digital capital.” As more and more governmental, educational, and social services are distributed within a technological environment, it is necessary to examine this mode of connection to information as a form of capital which can be viewed in a similar framework to other types of social capital. Access to technology and ICTs has been considered an integral element of the Development Goals as adopted by the United Nations for the Year 2000 Millennium Goals. Though later debates have questioned how ICTs may have benefited development goals, the pervasiveness of this form of information flow continues. Within Development Studies, Sen’s theory on the Capability Approach offers a valuable opportunity of connecting digital capital to development. Just as the Capabilities Approach accommodates the diversity of human values, characteristics, and functionings, so can digital capital provide flexibility through adaptation by the users to tailor the medium to meet specific needs. It is this freedom to adjust to individual needs and goals that allows this mode of bridging capital to hold a distinct advantage for immigrants and refugees who are searching for effective links into new social networks in the job search process. The role of the community college system has been at the forefront of providing educational training and social acclimation for this population in their quest for economic self-sufficiency in the resettlement process. A greater understanding of the role that technology plays in the success of immigrant and refugee resettlement is vitally important for the well-being of communities undergoing dynamic demographic change.

La dispersion, définie comme le déplacement d'un individu entre le site de naissance et le site de reproduction, est un paramètre essentiel du fonctionnement des populations. Pour comprendre son évolution, il faut évaluer les coûts et les bénéfices de la dispersion. Pour cela j'ai comparé des individus immigrants (dispersants) et philomathiques (non dispersants) dans différentes populations de mésanges (parus sp. ). Le nombre d'immigrants recrutés dans la population est limité par le nombre de jeunes philopatriques et d'adultes résidents, suggérant que les immigrants sont dominés lors du recrutement et qu'un grand nombre d'entre eux n'accèdent pas à la reproduction. Une fois recrutés dans la population, immigrants et philopatriques continuent à différer sur de nombreux points: stratégie de reproduction, probabilité de survie, qualité des jeunes produits (poids et sexe) et probabilité de recrutement local des jeunes. Cependant les immigrants n'apparaissent ni moins bons, ni meilleurs que les philopatriques. Ainsi, les immigrants ne semblent pas de mauvaise qualité mais ne semblent pas non plus compenser leur handicap initial par un succès de reproduction élevé. Malgré le faible succès apparent de la dispersion chez les mésanges au moins la moitie des individus se dispersent. Je propose trois scénarios pour expliquer ce paradoxe dans le cadre de la théorie des jeux (stratégie évolutivement stable): la dispersion bénéficie aux parents qui dispersent leurs jeunes plutôt qu'à l'individu qui se disperse ; la dispersion est un sous-produit de stratégies d'accès à un territoire ; le coût de la philopatrie est très important (défense de territoire) si bien que la proportion évolutivement stable de philopatriques est relativement faible

Health inequality has become a research imperative worldwide. Cancer is a global burden, but little is known about the experiences of immigrant patients. This mix-method research aimed to fill the knowledge gaps. The qualitative phase involved a descriptive, focus-group study to explore immigrants’ cancer experiences in Australia. Participants were 91 cancer patients/carers from Arabic, Chinese and Greek communities. The data were subjected to thematic analysis. Participants raised main challenges including: 1) high level of cancer-related distress; 2) communication barriers; 3) lacking understanding of the health system; 4) cultural alienation. Culturally-driven coping styles and coping resources were also explored. The quantitative phase involved a large scale survey via 16 recruiting clinics nationwide, yielding a dataset of 571 immigrant patients (145 Arabic, 248 Chinese, and 178 Greek-speaking patients) and 274 Anglo-Australian-born patients. Three separate analyses were conducted of the data: 1) to document the extent of disparities in psychosocial outcomes in immigrants; 2) to elicit cancer patients’ unmet Cancer Information and Support, Physical and Daily Living, and Sexuality needs during the active treatment phase; 3) to compare illness perceptions of cancer among immigrants and Anglo-Australians, applying the Self-Regulatory model. The quantitative results showed that immigrants are disadvantaged compared to Australian-born English-speaking patients, with worse psychosocial outcomes. Contributing factors include poor understanding of English and of the health system, as well as maladaptive culturally-driven perceptions of cancer. Immigrants reported many unmet needs for help with daily living activities, information, and language assistance. This research has provided insights into the factors influencing the psychosocial outcomes of immigrants with cancer, and provides some guidance regarding appropriate interventions to reduce health disparities.

Underbanking, or use of alternative financial services such as payday lenders rather than traditional banks, is a practice that has substantial financial and social harm. Given that literature and prior research shows that immigrants face unique cultural barriers to financial assimilation, the current study examines how immigrant status influences one’s odds of being underbanked. Using the June 2015 Underbanking Supplement to the Current Population Survey, immigrants are delineated by first- and second-generation status, as well by the development status of their country of origin, and their relationship to underbanking is examined through a series of logistic regression analyses. Results indicate that first-generation immigrants from developing countries continue to face substantial barriers to full financial assimilation, while those from developed countries share similar outcomes as citizens. Second-generation immigrants whose parents are from developing countries, however, have lower odds to be underbanked, showing that generational progress is occurring. Implications of this analyses are that future research should not assume immigrants all share one monolithic experience in the context of economic integration.

The overarching goal of this dissertation is to inform evidence-based supports for diverse parents. Past meta-analyses (e.g., Dimitrova, Chasiotis, & van de Vijver, 2016; Porter & Haslam, 2005) have examined adjustment in migrant children, adolescents, and adults. To date, reviews have often examined only immigrants or refugees, with few quantitative comparisons between groups. Further, few include information on parenting or parental adjustment (e.g., van Os, Kalverboer, Zijlstra, Post, & Knorth, 2016). To fill this gap, I conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies that used psychometrically strong measures of adjustment and parenting with newcomer immigrant and refugee families to update the literature and to provide a quantitative comparison between migrant groups. Database searches yielded 18,139 abstracts for screening; 4,626 full text articles were reviewed; 31 independent samples 25 of which have not been included in previous reviews met inclusion criteria. Results highlight important differences between migrant groups and informants: parent reports of youth adjustment generally reported greater problems among both immigrant and refugee youth compared to normative samples, whereas youth self-reports varied by migrant group (with refugee youth reporting greater problems than immigrant youth) and adjustment construct. In my second study, I developed and evaluated a self-report measure of adherence to an evidence-based parenting program that is used with diverse families. This tool, the Practitioner Session Reflection Tool (PSRT; Sheshko, Lee, & Gagné, 2015), was designed to support practitioners’ adherence to both the session content and to the primary process of self-regulation theorized to underpin the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program (Sanders, 1999, 2012). Fifty-two practitioners from 12 community agencies submitted 361 self-reports; a subset of 23 practitioners submitted 63 audio-recordings to permit additional ratings by a coding team providing a multi-informant and multimethod evaluation of adherence. Results provided preliminary evidence of good levels of reliability and validity for scores on the adherence measures. Consistent with previous research there were low correlations between informants: practitioners reported both higher content (84.6% compared to 49.9%) and process (80.0 – 95.0% compared to 30 – 55%) adherence than that rated by coders. Possible explanations for this discrepancy are discussed. Taken together, the results of these two studies highlight both the importance of offering supports that can be delivered flexibly to suit the needs of diverse families, and the need to support practitioners’ self-reflection on adherence to program content and underlying processes in delivering those supports.

The purpose of this paper is to make quantitative and qualitative analysis of foreign citizens who may participate on the Swedish labor market (in text refers to as ‘immigrants’). This research covers the period 1973-2005 and gives prediction figures of immigrant population, age and gender structure, and education attainment in 2010. To cope with data regarding immigrants from different countries, the population was divided into six groups. The main chapter is divided into two parts. The first part specifies division of immigrants into groups by country of origin according to geographical, ethnical, economical and historical criteria. Brief characteristics and geographic position, dynamic and structure description were given for each group; historical review explain rapid changes in immigrant population. Statistical models for description and estimation future population were given. The second part specifies education and qualification level of the immigrants according to international and Swedish standards. Models for estimating age and gender structure, level of education and professional orientation of immigrants in different groups are given. Inferences were made regarding ethnic, gender and education structure of immigrants; the distribution of immigrants among Swedish counties is given. Discussion part presents the results of the research, gives perspectives for the future brief evaluation of the role of immigrants on the Swedish labor market.

El contexto global en que tienen lugar las migraciones familiares actualmente, la modalidad seriada que caracteriza a aquellas procedentes de América Latina y las condiciones de instalación en la sociedad receptora, constituyen elementos de vulnerabilidad psicosocial que pueden afectar especialmente a los hijos en sus trayectorias migrantes. En este marco, los adolescentes son particularmente sensibles a la adaptación a nuevos contextos socio-culturales, dada la centralidad de la socialización extra-familiar en sus vidas, pudiendo encontrar distintas barreras, como la discriminación o el racismo. Esta investigación indaga las experiencias familiares en los procesos migratorios y de socialización, así como en sus respuestas frente al riesgo de exclusión y el malestar psicosocial que plantea este escenario, teniendo en cuenta factores estructurales, capitales disponibles y uso estratégico de los mismos. El estudio se enmarca en un paradigma interpretativo y desde la perspectiva de la Psicología Cultural. Su diseño cualitativo, flexible, utiliza el enfoque biográfico y la técnica de los relatos de vida para el abordaje metodológico, siendo las entrevistas biográficas el principal instrumento de producción de información. El trabajo de campo se realiza principalmente en L´Hospitalet de Llobregat, con cinco familias (casos) contactadas mediante redes locales. Los resultados muestran: i) el papel clave de los capitales sociales y culturales, que frente a condiciones estructurales difíciles, permiten mantener trayectorias de inclusión; para quienes siguen trayectorias de exclusión, la familia (debilitada) y la comunidad étnica, son sus principales soportes; ii)las consecuencias de la separación migratoria en los hijos, tienen más que ver con la pertinencia de las respuestas familiares durante ese período que con su duración; frente a los malestares derivados de condiciones estructurales, las familias más vulnerables intentan asumir las respuestas, con débiles soportes sociales e institucionales, recurriendo puntualmente a servicios socio-sanitarios; iii) distintos tipos de aculturación se corresponden con grados de pertinencia en la socialización, y así con las posibilidades de inclusión y perspectivas de futuro; iv) los espacios de socialización están atravesados por la división “ellos/nosotros”, con consecuencias negativas para la construcción identitaria, de redes y el bienestar adolescente; v) los consumos de drogas y las respuestas familiares de cuidado, ponen de manifiesto la calidad de los procesos migratorios y de socialización.
The global context in which family migrations currently take place, the serial modality that characterizes those coming from Latin America and the conditions of installation in the receiving society, constitute elements of psychosocial vulnerability that can affect especially the children in their migrant trajectories. In this frame, adolescents are particularly sensitive to adaptation to new socio-cultural contexts, given the centrality of extra-family socialization in their lives, being able to find different barriers, such as discrimination or racism. This research investigates family experiences in migratory and socialization processes, as well as in their responses to the risk of exclusion and the psychosocial malaise that this scenario poses, taking into account structural factors, available capitals and strategic use of them. The study is set in an interpretative paradigm and from the perspective of Cultural Psychology. Its qualitative, flexible design uses the biographical approach and the technique of life stories for the methodological approach, with biographical interviews being the main instrument for the production of information. The field work is carried out mainly in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, with five families (cases) contacted through local networks. It is concluded that in contexts of vulnerability and weak Social State, families rich in social and cultural capitals, cushion the risk of exclusion and psychosocial discomfort of their children, with certain improvements in the quality of life and recognition of rights, although with limits in the future perspectives of their children (linked to development in terms of education / work, discrimination, socio-family supports, etc.). For their part, the poorest families in symbolic resources are inclined towards trajectories of exclusion, and the parents consider as a strategy a new transnational mobility with which the children do not usually agree.

This study addresses critical questions in relation to the factors affecting the economic lives, performance and assimilation of immigrants in Ireland. Data from the Census of Population of Ireland, 2006, is used. Three key themes are addressed: the labour market outcomes and performance of immigrants in Ireland; immigrant and gender equality in the Irish labour market; and the housing outcomes of immigrants in Ireland. Preliminary statistics show that immigrants in Ireland have favourable labour market characteristics. Utilising econometric estimation techniques, it is reported that, ceteris paribus, immigrants from NI, GB, EU 13 and USA are more likely, relative to the native population, of having occupational success (being employed in Professional, Managerial or Technical (PMT) jobs). Other immigrants report a very different labour market experience, where, positive labour market characteristics do not translate into occupational success. Others experience a structural disadvantage in the Irish labour market. All immigrants are less likely to be in self-employment, relative to natives. Education and subjects studied play a key role for immigrants' labour market integration and success. Employing equality adjusted proportions, it is reported that immigrants experience greater within group inequality than natives. This study paints the gender dimension of immigration in Ireland in a favourable light. Female immigrants do not appear to suffer from a double disadvantage in the Irish labour market.

This study uses secondary survey data collected from a sample population of clients from JPS Health Network in Tarrant County, Texas from July-August, 2000. Respondents for this study represents a group of working-age Hispanic immigrant adults, N=379. Andersen's "Behavioral Model for Vulnerable Populations" is used to as the theoretical framework. Bivariate crosstabulation revealed significant relationships for dependent variables: problems getting needed healthcare, doctor visits, emergency room visits, overnight in the hospital, and obtaining prescription medication. Findings confirm that lack of coverage, competing needs, and difficulties in the health care system are significant in access health care. Subsequent implications and policy recommendations suggests the inevitability of short and long term health consequences unless changes are made to policies and programs.

Thesis advisor: Usha Tummala-Narra
Women who experience sexual violence are more likely to be diagnosed with a depressive, anxiety, trauma-related or substance use disorder than women who do not experience sexual violence (Kendler et al., 2000; Walsh et al., 2012). The negative mental health sequelae that are associated with experiences of sexual violence are related to the types of responses survivors receive from others (Carlson et al., 2002; Littleton, 2010). These responses are informed by attitudes towards sexual violence. Extant literature on Sri Lankan immigrant populations indicates that cultural and contextual factors interface to shape attitudes towards violence. Much of this research, however, has focused on domestic violence in general as opposed to sexual violence in particular. Thus, little is known about how culture and context interact to inform attitudes towards sexual violence in the Sri Lankan community in the United States. A qualitative methodology, guided by an ecological framework and South Asian feminist lens, was used to examine attitudes towards sexual violence among Sri Lankan immigrants in the United States. Participants consisted of 14 first-generation Sri Lankan immigrants. In semi-structured interviews, participants explicated 1) the cultural values and socialization patterns that they were exposed to in Sri Lanka, 2) their experiences of navigating Sri Lankan cultural values and socialization patterns in the United States, and 3) how cultural and contextual factors from pre- and post-migration contexts have interacted to inform views on sexual violence. The findings of the present study revealed that patriarchal socialization regarding gender roles, sex, and sexuality in Sri Lanka facilitates silence and stigmatization around sexual violence among Sri Lankans. The negotiation of these values within the post-migration context contributed to more progressive views on sexual violence. Participants did not support the presence of silence regarding sexual violence and, instead, encouraged survivors of sexual violence to seek help. They also recommended that survivors receive support from multiple sources (e.g., family, community, legal system). Implications for clinical practice, community level interventions and research are discussed
Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2015
Submitted to: Boston College. Lynch School of Education
Discipline: Counseling, Developmental and Educational Psychology

The study examines the participation of African immigrants in the South African labour force with the central question revolving around whether the immigrants create jobs through the establishment of their own businesses or take jobs from the locals. Analytical frame work used in this study includes descriptive statistics, chi-square test for association and standardized residuals, two-way analysis of variance and logistic regression. Demographic, locational and socio-economic characteristics were studied using descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. Two-factor analysis of variance was used to examine the differences on average in the African immigrants&rsquo
participation in the labour force, while logistic regression was used to investigate the effect of some demographic characteristics on employment and work status.

Ethnic minority and immigrant populations in Northern Ireland have been regularly subjected to discrimination, intimidation and attacks. This research investigated how collective, or in group, identities are constructed in relation to the presence of ethnicized populations in media and text-based material. The theoretical framework connected the Social Psychology paradigms of Social Identity Theory and Discourse Analysis. The 'collective' identity was conceptualized as dynamic and formed in language to serve rhetorical goals. The literature review demonstrated that while the Contact Hypothesis has explained relations between Catholic and Protestant groupings, it is less appropriate in addressing apathy and violence against ethnic minorities. Alternatively, language-in-use is a social process by which groups decide who belongs, who is subject to discrimination, and who is made visible in media discourse. The initial study considered a propaganda leaflet urging for the removal of the Chinese community in an area of Belfast. Violent racist discourse was legitimized and constructed as a virtuous response. The second study focused on opinion pieces in the Northern Ireland press condemning the intimidation of the Roma community. Language use strategically managed blame, deflected responsibility, and appropriated the needs of ethnic minority groups to in-group political ends. The third study considered political responses to an anti-lslamic sermon in a Belfast church. The then First Minister, Peter Robinson, defended racist speech, whereas Anna Lo MLA, appealed to a wider collective who would want to disclaim racism. These studies emphasize the difficulties in working towards an inclusive form of civic identity in Northern Ireland. The concluding discussion identified the effects of racist discourse, especially the stereotyping, appropriation and quieting of ethnic minorities, and evidenced a tack of institutional accountability. Academics should identify patterns of discourse which potentially disadvantage ethnic minority groupings, leading to the creation of possibilities for social change.

Background: The Pap screening practices of British Columbia's immigrant population and the specific barriers they face in accessing cervical cancer screening services are not well understood. This study attempts to gain a broad understanding of patterns in immigrant women's use of Pap screening programs, exploring rates of Pap screening participation, sociodemographic correlates of use and reported barriers to access for immigrant women in the BC relative to those of native-born Canadians in the province. Methods: Self-reported data on use of Pap screening services, immigration status and sociodemographic information were obtained from the Canadian Community Health Survey Cycle 3.1 for female respondents 18 to 69 years of age living in British Columbia. Lifetime and three-year Pap screening participation rates were calculated and multivariate logistic regression methods used to model the relationship between Pap screening participation and sociodemographic variables thought to be potential correlates of screening. Subgroup analyses of screening participation based on the racial or ethnic origin and country of birth of immigrant women were also conducted. Results: Immigrant women were found to participate in Pap screening, both over the lifetime and within the last three years, at rates significantly lower than those of non-immigrant women. Only 79% of immigrant women report having had a Pap test during their lifetime, compared to 93% of non-immigrant women. Those figures drop to 66% of immigrant women and 78% of non-immigrant women for Pap screens within the last three years. Many of the sociodemographic correlates of use are similar in the immigrant and non-immigrant populations, but often with different impacts on screening participation between the two groups. East Asian and South Asian immigrant women in particular report rates of screening participation below those of non-immigrant women, while participation rates among European immigrants are comparable to those of native-born Canadians. Conclusions: Subgroups of immigrant women in British Columbia are currently under-served by existing Pap screening programs in the province. Culturally-appropriate programs and policies are required to improve screening participation in these groups, thereby helping to decrease the cervical cancer burden presently being borne by these populations.

Background Immigrants often encounter barriers in the health system that may affect their health care outcomes. In order to better cater to the needs of immigrants, many health care institutions have increased their efforts in recent years to provide services which are more sensitive to the needs of an increasingly diverse population. Little is known about whether these efforts are successful. This study examines difference in outcomes of tertiary prevention between immigrants and the autochthonous population in Germany over the period of 2006–2014. Methods The analysis is based on a 10% random sample of routine data on completed tertiary preventive treatments in Germany during 2006–2014. Four different indicators of treatment effectiveness were compared between patients with a nationality from Germany, Portugal/Spain/Italy/Greece, Turkey and Former Yugoslavia using logistic regression adjusted for demographic/socioeconomic factors. Interaction terms for year were modeled to examine group differences over time. Results Depending on the outcome, Turkish and Former Yugoslavian nationals had an 23%-69% higher chance of a poor treatment effectiveness than Germans (OR = 1.23 [95%-CI = 1.15,1.32] and OR = 1.69 [95%-CI = 1.55,1.83], respectively). Fewer differences were observed between nationals from Portugal/Spain/Italy/Greece and Germans. Disparities did not significantly differ between the years in which services were utilized. Conclusion Measures implemented by health care institutions did not reduce existing health care disparities between immigrants and the majority population in Germany. One potential reason is that existing approaches are unsystematic and often not properly evaluated. More targeted strategies and a thorough evaluation is needed in order to improve health care for immigrants sustainably.

Scholars have linked multiple background characteristics to academic achievement; among these are student SES and race/ethnicity. A largely understudied student characteristic in relation to academic achievement is student immigrant status. I contextualize this relationship by considering a macro social setting: country-level foreign-born population. To do this, I examine mathematics achievement from the 2015 PISA assessment in 41 high-income countries. Using mixed-effects modeling, I examine student- and country-level factors and their effects on mathematics achievement. I use within- and cross-level interactions to examine the relationship between 1) immigrant status and student SES and between 2) immigrant status and foreign-born population. To examine the relationship between student immigrant status and student SES and between immigrant status and foreign-born-population, I use within- and cross-level interactions. My findings indicate that immigrant students perform similarly to native-born students when considering other contextual factors at the student-, school-, and country- levels. Furthermore, SES moderates the effect of immigrant status, with second-generation immigrants exhibiting a smaller achievement gain with increased SES. Additionally, everyone – immigrants and non-immigrants alike – benefits from higher foreign-born population rates, suggesting that immigration is advantageous for all students.

Immigrant flows in Greece after 1990 transformed Greece from a country of outwards migration to an inwards migration state. The contribution of immigrants in a globalized world of migration with sub-replacement fertility levels found in developed countries is a particularly interesting topic in demographic studies. The primary aim of this thesis is to discuss the changes of the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of immigrant population in Greece focusing on Albanian and Bulgarian immigrants. In order to answer these research questions, data from the last three national population census of 1991, 2001 and 2011 as well as vital statistics for European and non-European immigrants’ fertility in Greece have been used. The analysis is based on descriptive statistics for the differential age structure of Greek population and immigrant groups. Reasons for immigration to Greece, educational attainment of immigrants, rates of unemployment and employment status of immigrant population have been used to approach the research questions. The results indicated a younger age structure of Albanian and Bulgarian immigrant population. Meanwhile, immigrant population appears to have higher unemployment rates compared to native Greek population. Finally, a substantial decline of general fertility rates for non-European immigrant women in Greece compared to native Greek women has been observed within the years of the economic recession.

Introduction: Rare Diseases (RDs) constitute a rather heterogeneous group of disorders that can affect any system. Most RDs are genetic disorders which are often severely disabling, substantially affect life expectancy and impair physical and mental abilities. The number of RD patients in Italy is estimated between 1 and 2 millions. In Italy RDs have been one of the priorities in the policy agenda since 1998. There is a significant body of legislation on the issue of RDs not only on a national level but on a regional level, as well. There is little research on the field of RDs and immigrant population. In general, immigrants face discrimination in various degrees when accessing the healthcare system of the host country due to their ethnicity, religion, age, sex or low socio-economic status. This social exclusion affects their health status directly and indirectly. It is rare for European countries to collect data on ethnic groups. The main challenge in measuring migrant health is defining the term migrant. At least five groups of immigrants have been identified in international literature. Students, economic migrants, asylum seekers, irregular/undocumented migrants and displaced persons. According to the Statistical Report 2011 of the Veneto region, 11.3% of immigrants in Italy have settled in the region, making it the third most attractive destination for immigrants in the country. The foreign residents in Veneto are currently 480,616 making up 9.8% of the population in the region. There is a paucity of information regarding the utilization of the Italian healthcare services by the immigrant population with a RD. To date, various studies have shown the trends of the healthcare utilization by immigrants in the Italian territory for numerous pathologies. However, they focus on diverse geographical areas of the Italian country and different time periods, or use different inclusion criteria for defining the immigrant population under study, or focus primarily on infectious diseases. Objective: Our aim is to conduct a study on immigrants with a RD seeking healthcare in the Veneto region. Our objective is two-fold. Firstly we identify the immigrant population. On a second level a thorough description of the immigrant population is conducted. An effort to determine their demographic profile has been made. The exact number of RD migrant subjects, their age, gender, legal status, nationality, RD diagnosis are displayed. Simultaneously a description of the Italian RD patients will be made resulting to a comparison between the two populations. The variables used to describe the immigrants are also used for the description of the Italian population. The second objective is to describe the utilisation of the healthcare services by immigrants with a RD. One aspect is whether immigrants use the healthcare system for RDs, to what extent and for which diseases. Another aspect is to show the impact of the immigrant population on the Veneto healthcare services. Materials & Methods: We accessed the Istat website (http://demo.istat.it) and we used data on foreign citizens (Cittadini Stranieri) who are residents in Italy. This data categorization and analysis led to the depiction of the presence of foreign citizens in the Veneto region, as well as the possible changes of their number during the course of time. In addition we showed the alterations in the percentage of the foreigners for each continent residing in the Veneto region every year. Data starting from 2001 until October 2011 were taken from the registry of the Rare Diseases, pertaining to patients who are certified with a RD in the Veneto region. Information on the demographc profile of the immigrant population was extracted. From the Health Discharge Records, information used were the dates of admission and discharge from the hospital, duration of hospitalisation, hospital ward, principal diagnosis as well as further diagnosis made during hospitalisation. Results: The temporeal trend of the presence of immigrants in the Veneto region was firstly designed. The augmentation of the immigrant population, and especially of the female one, was highlighted. The Heath Discharge Records demonstrated that the utilization of healthcare services does not change much between the Italian and the immigrant population. The results of the Registry underline the use of the healthcare services by different populations in the Veneto region (immigrants vs. Italians and residents of the Veneto region vs. non residents), as well as the pathologies which are more prevalent in the migrant population. Discussion: Comparison of data between the Health Discharge Records and the Registry of the Veneto region was conducted. The recorded RDs in the Registry differ substantially from the ones recorded in the Health Discharge Records. This may be because the most prevalent diseases in the Registry do not require a strict medical supervision over time. On the contrary the most prevalent diseases in the Health Discharge Records require a systematic medical attention. Furthermore it is highlighted that the percentage of the affected individuals residing outside the Veneto region is greater than the percentage of the subjects residing in Veneto for specific conditions, such as blood disorders. Last but not least, the underlying reasons behind the elevated prevalence of some RDs (palatoschisis, anemias, precocious puberty) were searched and analysed.
Introduzione: le Malattie Rare (RDS) costituiscono un gruppo piuttosto eterogeneo di disturbi che possono interessare qualsiasi sistema. La maggior parte RDS sono malattie genetiche che sono spesso gravemente invalidanti, pregiudicare sostanzialmente l'aspettativa di vita e compromettere le capacità fisiche e mentali. Il numero di pazienti RD in Italia è stimato tra 1 e 2 milioni di persone. RDS Italia sono state una delle priorità nell'agenda politica dal 1998. C'è un corpus significativo di legislazione sul tema della RD non solo a livello nazionale ma a livello regionale, pure. C'è poca ricerca sul campo di RDS e popolazione immigrata. In generale, gli immigrati vittime di discriminazioni in vari gradi quando si accede al sistema sanitario del paese ospitante a causa della loro etnia, religione, età, sesso o basso status socio-economico. Questa esclusione sociale colpisce il loro stato di salute, direttamente e indirettamente. E 'raro per i paesi europei per raccogliere i dati sui gruppi etnici. La sfida principale nella misurazione della salute dei migranti è la definizione del migrante termine. Almeno cinque gruppi di immigrati sono stati identificati nella letteratura internazionale. Studenti, migranti economici, richiedenti asilo, migranti irregolari / clandestini e profughi. Secondo il Rapporto statistico 2011 della regione Veneto, 11,3% degli immigrati in Italia si sono stabiliti nella regione, il che rende la terza destinazione più attraente per gli immigrati nel paese. I residenti stranieri in Veneto sono attualmente 480.616 che costituiscono il 9,8% della popolazione nella regione. Vi è una scarsità di informazioni riguardanti l'utilizzo dei servizi sanitari italiani da parte della popolazione immigrata con un RD. Fino ad oggi, diversi studi hanno dimostrato le tendenze dell'utilizzo sanitari da parte degli immigrati nel territorio italiano per numerose patologie. Tuttavia, si concentrano su diverse aree geografiche del paese italiano e diversi periodi di tempo, oppure utilizzare diversi criteri di inclusione per la definizione della popolazione immigrata in fase di studio, o si concentrano principalmente sulle malattie infettive. Obiettivo: Il nostro obiettivo è quello di condurre uno studio sugli immigrati con una RD ricorre all'assistenza sanitaria nella regione Veneto. Il nostro obiettivo è duplice. In primo luogo ci identifichiamo la popolazione immigrata. Su un secondo livello una descrizione accurata della popolazione immigrata è condotta. Uno sforzo per determinare il loro profilo demografico è stato fatto. Il numero esatto di RD soggetti migranti, la loro età, sesso, stato giuridico, la nazionalità, la diagnosi RD vengono visualizzati. Contemporaneamente una descrizione dei pazienti italiani RD sarà reso risultante a un confronto tra le due popolazioni. Le variabili utilizzate per descrivere gli immigrati vengono utilizzati anche per la descrizione della popolazione italiana. Il secondo obiettivo è quello di descrivere l'utilizzo dei servizi sanitari da parte degli immigrati con una RD. Un aspetto è se gli immigrati utilizzano il sistema sanitario per RDS, in che misura e per quali malattie. Un altro aspetto è quello di mostrare l'impatto della popolazione immigrata sui servizi sanitari Veneto. Materiali e Metodi: Abbiamo effettuato l'accesso al sito Istat (http://demo.istat.it) e abbiamo utilizzato i dati sui cittadini stranieri (Cittadini Stranieri) che sono residenti in Italia. Questa classificazione e analisi dei dati ha portato alla rappresentazione della presenza di cittadini stranieri in Veneto, così come le eventuali modifiche del loro numero nel corso del tempo. Inoltre abbiamo mostrato le alterazioni della percentuale degli stranieri per ogni continente che risiedono in Veneto ogni anno. Dati a partire dal 2001 fino a ottobre 2011 sono stati presi dal registro delle malattie rare, relative ai pazienti che sono certificati con una RD del Veneto. Informazioni sul profilo demographc della popolazione immigrata è stato estratto. Da schede di dimissione della Salute, le informazioni utilizzate sono state le date di ricovero e la dimissione dall'ospedale, la durata del ricovero, reparto ospedaliero, diagnosi principale così come la diagnosi fatta ulteriormente durante l'ospedalizzazione. Risultati: La tendenza temporeal della presenza di immigrati in Veneto è stato progettato in primo luogo. L'aumento della popolazione immigrata, e soprattutto di quello femminile, è stato evidenziato. Le schede di dimissione Heath ha dimostrato che l'utilizzo dei servizi sanitari non cambia molto tra l'italiano e la popolazione immigrata. I risultati del Registro sottolineare l'utilizzo dei servizi sanitari da diverse popolazioni del Veneto (italiani contro immigrati e residenti del Veneto contro i non residenti), così come le patologie che sono più frequenti nella popolazione migrante. Discussione: Confronto dei dati tra schede di dimissione la Salute e la cancelleria della regione Veneto è stata condotta. RDS registrato nel Registro di sistema differiscono sostanzialmente da quelli registrati in schede di dimissione della Sanità. Ciò può essere dovuto alle malattie più diffuse nel Registro di sistema non richiedono un rigoroso controllo medico nel corso del tempo. Al contrario le malattie più diffuse nei record Scaricare la salute necessitano di un'attenzione sistematica medica. Inoltre si è evidenziato che la percentuale di individui colpiti risiedono al di fuori della regione Veneto è superiore alla percentuale dei soggetti residenti in Veneto per condizioni specifiche, come ad esempio malattie del sangue. Last but not least, le ragioni dietro la prevalenza elevati di alcuni RDS (palatoschisi, anemie, pubertà precoce) sono stati perquisiti e analizzati.

With the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and other regions of the world, the eminent influx of refugees to European nations has become a topic of great concern and discussion. An increase in research has occurred concerning attitudes towards refugees and immigration in general, which has put forth the question of whether larger numbers of foreign born correlates positively or negatively to attitudes towards immigrants. Much of the previous research has focused largely on cross-national comparisons but has overlooked the importance of contextual factors at lower levels of analysis. Using cross-sectional data, the focus of this thesis is on the proportion of foreign born in Swedish municipalities and its correlation to attitudes towards refugees. The results confirm intergroup contact theory, which stipulates interaction among different groups results in greater tolerance, which is facilitated by a larger proportion of foreign born. In addition, the results also support the negative impact of poor economic conditions. When looking at the effect of unemployment on attitudes towards refugees; less tolerant attitudes arise as a consequence of higher unemployment. More research is needed in order to understand the importance of the proportion of foreigners and socioeconomic factors in the formation of attitudes towards refugees.

The aim of the study was to develop an in-depth understanding of the migration experiences of the Italian community of Australia, with a case study of the regional Friulan community of Sydney. For the ways in which people identify themselves at different times and in different environments may not always be consistent. The purpose of the study was to add to the exploration of the diversity, cultural variety and richness cultural communities have brought to Australia. The study set out to fulfill an important function in adding to the accounts of the diversity of ethnic groups in Australia, their structure and cultural backgrounds and the values of family members. Since culture is concerned with meaning, there is of course a very close relationship between culture and language, through which kin relationships, obligations and duties are expressed and appropriate behaviour defined. It is that meaning and relationship that led me to investigate the Italian and Friulan communities. The study took on the form of an ethnography enabling me, the researcher, to participate in order to develop an in depth understanding of the experiences of the Italian migrants, in particular the Friulan community. The data was collected by using key informant interviewing. The participants were encouraged to freely reflect on their past and present experiences to enable them to make a comparative analysis of their experiences in Australia and in their country of origin. This enabled the migrants to take on the role of culturally knowledgeable informants supplying information which was significant to them and which reflected their perceptions of their life experiences. The data has been faithfully recorded to represent the immigrant's point of view. The study revealed that many of the first and second-generation are highly involved with their Italian heritage and operate comfortably with a bicultural ethnic identity. The second generation have reconstructed the Italian-Australian family, thus changing the Italian community and providing links between the Italian, the Anglo-Australian and the other ethnic communities. Ethnicity is continually negotiated and is a constant source of transformation for people of immigrant background. If Italian-Australians continue to associate, both through family and cultural practices then the Italian-Australian identity will continue. The big question is what will happen in the third and fourth Italian-Australian generation. It is here that the question of ethnic and national identity becomes highly relevant. Cultural diversity presents challenging issues for Australia: what it means to be an Australian; the relationship between national and personal identities; identifying and working in both the cohesive and divisive forces in a multicultural society; and the form and flavour of a future republic. None of these issues are new, yet all are of immediate concern, and the symbolic importance of the approach of the twenty-first century invests them with particular meaning.

This paper examines the causes for socioeconomic variation between African Americans and West Indians in the United States, focusing primarily on New York City. Nearly 2 million African Americans live in New York, 30 percent of whom are black immigrants, and likely another 15 percent that are the children of these foreign-born individuals. I provide an overview of the socioeconomic positions of both groups, focusing especially on residential patterns, labor market participation, and educational attainment. I then compare leading theories used to explain West Indian success, arguing that selective United States immigration practices account for most variation both between the two groups and also within the West Indian immigrant population itself. The success of many black immigrants, including West Indians, is attributed to their motivation and ability to leave their home country and pursue opportunities abroad, rather than by virtue of being born of their individual culture. Selective immigration practices have privileged many West Indians who’ve settled in the country, especially in regard to educational attainment. Critiquing current affirmative action programs, I offer policy suggestions to ensure restitution for African Americans who remain persistently disadvantaged by the legacies of slavery.

New immigrants to Canada are identified as a vulnerable population in mental health and, as a result, organizations are signaling the need to enhance their mental health supports. The research uses focus groups and questions based on the messaging of a Canadian school mental health program to understand how new immigrant mothers interpret and develop key aspects of their mental health literacy and how they attain parent empowerment. A thematic assessment of the knowledge, interpretation, action and decision-making of the study participants (n=7), all recent immigrants to Canada and mothers of high school students, shows that new immigrant mothers are prepared to follow a path towards mental health literacy. At the same time, however, there are barriers that can block progression towards mental health literacy for this audience. These findings are supported by three umbrella themes: the first main theme “home as haven” espouses maternal roles in mental health maintenance such as protector and communicator, the second main theme “knowledge versus suspicions of mental health and mental illness” represents informed views and support of mental illness and myths and illusions of mental illness, and the third main theme, “additional barriers to mental health literacy” includes the hardships of immigration and fear of knowledge. The study concludes that new immigrant mothers appreciate the importance of fostering mental health understanding and discussion with their children at the same time that they encounter obstacles to the advancement of their mental health literacy. This study is relevant to the field of communication in that it demonstrates the experience of new immigrant mothers as a secondary audience in mental health programming. As the caregivers of their children, they are in position to enforce the messages and health maintenance behaviours of a school-based mental health program aimed at adolescents.

The purpose of this study was to identify the needs of the Purhepecha children, also referred to as Tarascan, and their families living in the Eastern Coachella Valley located in California. A questionaire was developed by the author in order to identify the population's specific needs. Ultimatley, it is with hope that the Purhepecha people's needs will be understood as relevant to their language and culture, and make these needs public for other professionals working with this population.