Improving health literacy about dementia among older Chinese and Vietnamese Australians

2018 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Betty Haralambous ◽  
Paulene Mackell ◽  
Xiaoping Lin ◽  
Marcia Fearn ◽  
Briony Dow
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Older People ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Service System ◽  
Linguistically Diverse ◽  
Cultural Exchange ◽  
Exchange Model ◽  
Culturally And Linguistically Diverse ◽  
Cultural Elements ◽  
Older Chinese

The number of older people in the population is increasing faster than for any other age group. This population growth, while positive, is associated with increasing incidence of chronic and progressive diseases such as dementia. This requires older people to navigate services that may not be designed to meet their needs. This issue can be further amplified in culturally and linguistically diverse populations who often have limited English language proficiency and limited knowledge of diseases such as dementia. Health literacy, a person’s ability to access, understand, appraise and apply information about their health and health care, including navigating health services, is low among older people and even lower among older people born overseas. This paper describes findings from a recent research study which developed and used the Cultural Exchange Model. The model is based on a process of collaboration, whereby researchers, service providers and community members work together to build evidence about a particular topic, in this case dementia. The study demonstrated that the Cultural Exchange Model facilitates opportunities for researchers, health professionals, community workers and carers to improve their knowledge of conditions such as dementia and rapidly translate evidence into practice. It also showed that it is possible to recruit, engage and generate new knowledge within populations that are traditionally excluded from research but have high prevalence of dementia. This study shows health literacy is an evolving process. Access to ongoing education for professionals, not only of the clinical condition and the service system, but also the cultural elements of the communities they are working with, requires consideration. What is known about the topic? We know there is limited health literacy among older people and among older people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds. We also know that the older CALD population is increasing rapidly and with that comes increased chronic illness and chronic diseases, including mental health issues and dementia. What does this paper add? This case study has added to the knowledge base in relation to health literacy and older people from CALD backgrounds. The use of the Cultural Exchange Model is documented in terms of how it enhances our improved understanding of both the barriers and enablers older Chinese and Vietnamese people with dementia face when seeking help. This paper highlights key findings from a study, which could be used by researchers and practitioners when working with older people from CALD backgrounds more broadly. What are the implications for practitioners? This paper highlights findings from research that has reinforced that health literacy is an evolving process. It requires professionals to recognise the gaps in their own understanding of conditions such as dementia and understand how these gaps might influence help-seeking behaviours of older people and their carers. Access to ongoing education of clinical conditions and the service system is required, but also the cultural elements of the communities they are working with should be considered.

Choosing to live in a nursing home: a culturally and linguistically diverse perspective

2015 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 239
Author(s):  
Cecilia A. Yeboah
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Home ◽  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Older People ◽  
Cultural History ◽  
Nursing Home Residents ◽  
Linguistically Diverse ◽  
Culturally And Linguistically Diverse ◽  
Individual Interviews ◽  
Cultural Origins ◽  
Diverse Perspective

As part of the findings of a study on culturally and linguistically diverse older people relocating to a nursing home, this paper contributes to our understanding of how older people draw on their cultural history to explain their decisions to relocate. Family reciprocity was identified by most participants as central to their decisions, regardless of their specific cultural origins. Using the grounded theory methodology, data were collected through progressive, semi-structured, repeated, in-person, individual interviews with 20 residents of four nursing homes in the northern suburbs of Melbourne, Australia. Culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) older people, regardless of specific cultural origin, make relocation decisions based on the importance and meaning of reciprocity within families. Understanding their decisions as reflecting a culturally valued reciprocity offered a sense of cultural continuity to the relocation and was comforting to the older adults involved in the study. This study also suggests that culturally and linguistically diverse older people are much more active participants in the decision to relocate to a nursing home than is commonly recognised. The four nursing homes in the northern suburbs of Melbourne and the 20 participants studied constitute only a small proportion of all culturally and linguistically diverse older nursing home residents in Australia. Therefore, the findings may not be pertinent to other culturally and linguistically diverse elderly. Nonetheless, this study makes an important contribution to future discussions regarding cultural diversity in the nursing home relocation of culturally and linguistically diverse older Australians. The study findings provide some insight into the conditions and contexts that impact nursing home relocation.

scholarly journals Serving Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Patients in Audiology-Part 2: Promoting Health Literacy

2021 ◽  
Vol 74 (5) ◽  
pp. 42,43,44
Author(s):  
Laura Gaeta ◽  
KatieM. Colella ◽  
Erica Friedland ◽  
Mary A. Hudson
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Linguistically Diverse ◽  
Culturally And Linguistically Diverse

Conducting Health Literacy Research on Hard-to-Reach Regional Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Populations: An Evaluation of Recruitment and Retention Methods Before and During COVID-19 (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Genevieve Perrins ◽  
Tabassum Ferdous ◽  
Dawn Hay ◽  
Bobby Harreveld ◽  
Kerry Reid-Searl
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Initial Data ◽  
Linguistic Diversity ◽  
Linguistically Diverse ◽  
Culturally And Linguistically Diverse ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Recruitment And Retention ◽  
Collection Phase

BACKGROUND Culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) health care consumers residing within Australia are recognized as having low health literacy, leading to increased hospitalizations and poorer health outcomes. CALD populations living within regional Australia have been identified as a disadvantaged group. To understand and address this disadvantage, region-specific studies are required to map healthcare barriers related to geographic location, specific health services, and societal makeup. Despite the need to research the relationship between cultural and linguistic diversity and health literacy, CALD participants are often cited as hard-to-reach or hidden. This paper evaluates the approach used by researchers to attract and retain hard-to-reach CALD research participants for a study investigating health communication barriers between CALD health care users and health care professionals. As this study was taking place in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent restrictions emerged. Thus, recruitment and retention methods were adapted. This evaluation considers the effectiveness of recruitment and data collection methods used throughout pre-COVID and during-COVID periods. OBJECTIVE This evaluation sought to determine the effectiveness of recruitment and retention efforts of researchers, during a study which targeted regional-dwelling, hard-to-reach CALD participants. METHODS In this paper, recruitment and retention methods have been categorized into five phases: recruitment, pre-intervention data collection, intervention, post-intervention data collection and interviews. To compare the methods used by researchers, recruitment and retention rates have been dissected into pre-COVID and during-COVID periods. Researchers thereafter provide an in-depth reflection of the methods employed within this study. RESULTS This paper provides results relating to participant recruitment and retainment over the course of five research phases which occurred pre- and during-COVID. During the pre-COVID recruitment phase 22 participants were recruited. Of those, 68.2% of participants transitioned to the next phase and completed the initial data collection phase. By contrast, 18 participants completed the during-COVID recruitment phase, with a 72.2% continuance rate. The success rate of the intervention phase in the pre-COVID period was 93.3% versus 84.6% during-COVID. Lastly, 92.9% of participants completed the post-intervention data collection phase pre-COVID, compared with 90.9% during-COVID. Against the intended 30 participants, 40 participants took part in the initial data collection phase, with 23 going on to complete the project in its entirety. CONCLUSIONS The success of this program in recruiting and maintaining hard-to-reach CALD populations was preserved over pre and during-COVID periods. The emergence of COVID during the study period forced researchers to adjust study methods, thereby inadvertently contributing to the recruitment and retention success of the project. The maintenance of participants during this period is also due to flexibility offered by the research program through adoptive methods, such as the use of cultural gatekeepers, increased visibility of CALD researchers, limitation of intervention group size, use of digital platforms and more.

The mental health of culturally and linguistically diverse offenders – what do we know?

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 438-441
Author(s):  
Arran Rose ◽  
Stephane M Shepherd ◽  
James R P Ogloff
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Linguistically Diverse ◽  
Culturally And Linguistically Diverse ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
Health Service Providers ◽  
Health Disorders ◽  
Prison Populations

Objective: A key challenge facing justice health service providers is addressing and treating the high rates of mental illness among offenders. It is well documented that rates of mental illness are substantially higher within prison populations compared to the general population. As such, the need to provide ongoing treatment to prisoners experiencing mental health issues is of fundamental importance. Prisoners experiencing mental health disorders are more likely to have poorer social outcomes on release, including a greater likelihood of recidivism and poorer health outcomes. The growing numbers of justice-involved individuals from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds signal the need for justice systems to adapt to the changing demographic. Conclusions: In this commentary, we argue that greater efforts to explore the nature and prevalence of mental illness among CALD groups in custody, where such concerns are often intertwined with additional complex personal, environmental and historical criminogenic risk factors, are desperately needed to improve system responses and reduce recidivism.

Promoting adherence to organised physical activity among socially disadvantaged older people

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Tracy Nau ◽  
Genevieve Nolan ◽  
Ben J. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older People ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Linguistically Diverse ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Socially Disadvantaged ◽  
Functional Benefit ◽  
Access To Health ◽  
Diverse Backgrounds ◽  
Personal Connections

AbstractGroup-based physical activity (PA) in community-based settings represents a promising avenue for promoting healthy ageing, however, lower levels of adherence have been found to be associated with aspects of social disadvantage. Providers are in a key position to provide important insights about strategies to improve adherence, however, few studies have examined their perspectives. In this study, 30 community service providers were interviewed, and 42 older people participated in focus groups to identify actions perceived as effective for promoting adherence to organised PA, with a focus on factors relevant to older people experiencing socio-economic disadvantage, social isolation, living with a disability or from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Data were analysed thematically. Adherence barriers included deteriorating health, lack of belonging and loss of motivation. Helpful strategies for addressing deteriorating health included maintaining programme flexibility, facilitating access to health and other services, and supporting participants to adapt to acquired limitations. Belonging can be fostered by creating positive and inclusive experiences, ensuring safe and stigma-free environments, providing opportunities to forge personal connections and demonstrating care. Motivation may be enhanced by ensuring activities are of interest and functional benefit, programme settings are suitable and appealing, and enjoyment is prioritised. In conclusion, a range of strategies is likely to be necessary to mitigate risks to adherence and support continued participation in organised PA among socially disadvantaged older people.

scholarly journals Fitting health care to people: understanding and adapting to the epidemiology and health literacy of people affected by viral hepatitis from culturally and linguistically diverse migrant backgrounds

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Belaynew W Taye ◽  
Patricia C Valery ◽  
Burglind Liddle ◽  
Aidan J Woodward ◽  
Donata Sackey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Viral Hepatitis ◽  
Tertiary Education ◽  
Clinical Information ◽  
Knowledge Score ◽  
Linguistically Diverse ◽  
Transmission Risk ◽  
Culturally And Linguistically Diverse ◽  
Refugee Status ◽  
Migrant Communities

Abstract Background This study explored the epidemiology and health literacy of people affected by viral hepatitis (VH) from migrant culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds attending a community-based general practitioner and specialty hepatology shared-care (HEPREACH) clinic in Brisbane, Australia.Methods Self-reported data on health literacy and clinical information from adult patients (n=66) of CALD background recruited from the liver clinic were analyzed. Health literacy was assessed using a 5-question, 12-point scale. Variance weighted multiple linear regression was used to identify factors associated with knowledge about VH.Results About three-quarters of patients (74.2%) were diagnosed with hepatitis B. The median knowledge score was 7.8 (interquartile range(IQR) 6‒9). One in five patients did not understand the infective nature of VH, 30.3% did not understand mother-to-child transmission risk, and 30%‒40% of patients thought activities such as kissing, sharing food or mosquito bites could spread VH. Only 6% of patients understood the risk of liver cancer and the need for regular screening. Higher educational level (secondary, β=4.8, p<0.0001 or tertiary, β=8.1, p<0.0001 vs. primary) was associated with better knowledge, and transition through a refugee camp (vs. not, β= -1.2, p=0.028) and country of diagnosis (overseas vs. Australia, β=-1.9, p=0.016) were associated with poorer knowledge. Discussion Country of origin, refugee status and opportunities for tertiary education impact patients’ understanding of VH. Ensuring delivery of culturally appropriate care and education is critical to improve knowledge, reduce misconceptions to improve care and outcomes for viral hepatitis in CALD migrant communities.

Implications for GP endorsement of a diabetes app with patients from culturally diverse backgrounds: a qualitative study

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 52
Author(s):  
Julie Ayre ◽  
Carissa Bonner ◽  
Sian Bramwell ◽  
Sharon McClelland ◽  
Rajini Jayaballa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Culturally Diverse ◽  
Linguistically Diverse ◽  
Culturally And Linguistically Diverse ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Participation Rates ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Framework Analysis ◽  
Language And Culture ◽  
Diverse Backgrounds

Although many diabetes self-management apps exist, these are not tailored for people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds. This study aimed to explore GP perceptions of how diabetes app features could help GPs better support their patients from CALD backgrounds. Twenty-five semi-structured interviews with GPs in Western Sydney explored attitudes towards a proposed app’s suitability for CALD patients. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and coded using Framework Analysis. Theme 1 explored the implications of perceptions that patients’ health literacy is dependent on the language used. Theme 2 explored the influence of messaging from sources that share the patient’s language and culture (including misinformation from community sources). Theme 3 described the suitability of the app platform for CALD patients, and its potential challenges in this group. GPs perceived that a diabetes app could be useful for providing support to patients from CALD backgrounds. Findings suggest app features should be optimised to address existing challenges that GPs face and carefully consider strategies for recruiting CALD patients. It is important that GPs feel comfortable promoting an app to their CALD patients to help increase participation rates by people in the CALD community.

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