scholarly journals Perceived barriers in accessing food among recent Latin American immigrants in Toronto

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mandana Vahabi ◽  
Cynthia Damba
Keyword(s):  
Latin American ◽  
Food Preferences ◽  
Food Resources ◽  
Perceived Barriers ◽  
Financial Resources ◽  
Culturally Appropriate ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Food Programs

Objective: In Canada, recent immigrant households experience more food insecurity than the general population, but limited information is available about the personal, cultural, and social factors that contribute to this vulnerability. This study focused on recent Latin American (LA) immigrants to explore their perceived barriers in acquiring safe, nutritious, and culturally-appropriate food. Design: A cross-sectional mixed-method design was applied to collect information from a convenience sample of 70 adult Spanish/Portuguese speakers who had arrived in Toronto within the last five years. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with primary household caregivers to obtain responses about barriers to acquiring food for their households; data were analyzed using a thematic analysis technique. Results: Four main categories of barriers were identified: limited financial resources; language difficulty; cultural food preferences; and poor knowledge of available community-based food resources and services. Inadequate income was the main impediment in accessing adequate food, and was related to affordability of food items, accessibility of food outlets and transportation cost, and limited time for grocery shopping due to work conditions. Language barriers affected participants’ ability to obtain well-paid employment and their awareness about and access to available community-based food resources. Cultural barriers were related to food preferences and limited access to culturally-appropriate foods and resources. Conclusion: The main barrier to food security among our sample of LA newcomers to Toronto is limited financial resources, highlighting the need for policies and strategies that could improve their financial power to purchase sufficient, nutritious, and culturally-acceptable food. Linguistic barriers and limited information among newcomers suggest the need to provide linguistically- and culturally-appropriate information related to community-based food programs and resources, as well as accessible subsidized English language programs, in the community and at workplaces. Participatory community-based food programs can augment, in a socially acceptable manner, food resources and reduce the social stigma attached to food charity. Finally, it is crucial to monitor and evaluate existing social and community-based services for their accessibility, cultural appropriateness and diversity, and effectiveness.

scholarly journals Perceived barriers in accessing food among recent Latin American immigrants in Toronto

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mandana Vahabi ◽  
Cynthia Damba
Keyword(s):  
Latin American ◽  
Food Preferences ◽  
Food Resources ◽  
Perceived Barriers ◽  
Financial Resources ◽  
Culturally Appropriate ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Food Programs

Objective: In Canada, recent immigrant households experience more food insecurity than the general population, but limited information is available about the personal, cultural, and social factors that contribute to this vulnerability. This study focused on recent Latin American (LA) immigrants to explore their perceived barriers in acquiring safe, nutritious, and culturally-appropriate food. Design: A cross-sectional mixed-method design was applied to collect information from a convenience sample of 70 adult Spanish/Portuguese speakers who had arrived in Toronto within the last five years. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with primary household caregivers to obtain responses about barriers to acquiring food for their households; data were analyzed using a thematic analysis technique. Results: Four main categories of barriers were identified: limited financial resources; language difficulty; cultural food preferences; and poor knowledge of available community-based food resources and services. Inadequate income was the main impediment in accessing adequate food, and was related to affordability of food items, accessibility of food outlets and transportation cost, and limited time for grocery shopping due to work conditions. Language barriers affected participants’ ability to obtain well-paid employment and their awareness about and access to available community-based food resources. Cultural barriers were related to food preferences and limited access to culturally-appropriate foods and resources. Conclusion: The main barrier to food security among our sample of LA newcomers to Toronto is limited financial resources, highlighting the need for policies and strategies that could improve their financial power to purchase sufficient, nutritious, and culturally-acceptable food. Linguistic barriers and limited information among newcomers suggest the need to provide linguistically- and culturally-appropriate information related to community-based food programs and resources, as well as accessible subsidized English language programs, in the community and at workplaces. Participatory community-based food programs can augment, in a socially acceptable manner, food resources and reduce the social stigma attached to food charity. Finally, it is crucial to monitor and evaluate existing social and community-based services for their accessibility, cultural appropriateness and diversity, and effectiveness.

Perceived barriers and supports to accessing community-based services for Uganda’s pediatric post-surgical population

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Sarah Jean Barton ◽  
Sahil Sandhu ◽  
Isabelle Doan ◽  
Lillian Blanchard ◽  
Alex Dai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Perceived Barriers ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Community Based Services

Identifying Perceived Barriers and Benefits to Reducing Energy Consumption in an Affordable Housing Complex

2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 159-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan Reaves ◽  
Caroline M. Clevenger ◽  
MaryEllen Nobe ◽  
Patricia A. Aloise-Young
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Affordable Housing ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Perceived Barriers ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Target Behaviors ◽  
Housing Complex ◽  
Two Phases ◽  
Reduction Of Energy Consumption ◽  
Reducing Energy

Reduction of energy consumption in the affordable housing sector is highly impacted by human behavior. However, only limited behavior change research exists that is aimed at reducing energy consumption in this sector. This study seeks to implement the first two phases of the community-based social marketing (CBSM) framework in an affordable housing setting. The goals of the research are to identify the optimal behaviors for energy reduction and to identify the perceived barriers and benefits associated with those behaviors in a low-income housing facility. The results of this study identify five target behaviors along with their barriers and benefits. In addition, the study identifies potential issues and nuances in the CBSM process that researchers should take into consideration during future implementations of CBSM in affordable housing environments.

scholarly journals Community Engagement in the Development of an mHealth-Enabled Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Health Intervention (Step It Up): Pilot Focus Group Study (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joniqua Nashae Ceasar ◽  
Sophie Elizabeth Claudel ◽  
Marcus R Andrews ◽  
Kosuke Tamura ◽  
Valerie Mitchell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
African American ◽  
African American Women ◽  
Participatory Research ◽  
Community Based Participatory Research ◽  
Minority Population ◽  
Washington Dc ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
American Women

BACKGROUND Community-based participatory research is an effective tool for improving health outcomes in minority communities. Few community-based participatory research studies have evaluated methods of optimizing smartphone apps for health technology-enabled interventions in African Americans. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to utilize focus groups (FGs) for gathering qualitative data to inform the development of an app that promotes physical activity (PA) among African American women in Washington, DC. METHODS We recruited a convenience sample of African American women (N=16, age range 51-74 years) from regions of Washington, DC metropolitan area with the highest burden of cardiovascular disease. Participants used an app created by the research team, which provided motivational messages through app push notifications and educational content to promote PA. Subsequently, participants engaged in semistructured FG interviews led by moderators who asked open-ended questions about participants’ experiences of using the app. FGs were audiorecorded and transcribed verbatim, with subsequent behavioral theory-driven thematic analysis. Key themes based on the Health Belief Model and emerging themes were identified from the transcripts. Three independent reviewers iteratively coded the transcripts until consensus was reached. Then, the final codebook was approved by a qualitative research expert. RESULTS In this study, 10 main themes emerged. Participants emphasized the need to improve the app by optimizing automation, increasing relatability (eg, photos that reflect target demographic), increasing educational material (eg, health information), and connecting with community resources (eg, cooking classes and exercise groups). CONCLUSIONS Involving target users in the development of a culturally sensitive PA app is an essential step for creating an app that has a higher likelihood of acceptance and use in a technology-enabled intervention. This may decrease health disparities in cardiovascular diseases by more effectively increasing PA in a minority population.

“Tell Me More and Help Me to Decide, Doctor” – Information Seeking Attitudes and Use of Information Resources in Patients with Depression

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S146-S146
Author(s):  
H. Almeida ◽  
A.M. Pisco Almeida ◽  
M. Figueiredo-Braga
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Psychiatric Treatment ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Information Resources ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Mental Condition ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Convenience Sample

IntroductionShared decision-making (SDM) has shown to improve adherence, decrease hospitalization, and enhance knowledge of the illness and satisfaction with mental health services. Eliciting each patient's preferences for information allows tailoring the physician behavior according perspectives and expectations. Patients with depression (PWD) have frequently limited information regarding the availability and efficacy of psychiatric treatments.Aims/objectivesUnveil information seeking attitudes of patients with depression and their a priori use of digital sources of information.MethodsA convenience sample of PWD was submitted to a battery of self-report questionnaires. Standardized instruments were used to measure information seeking attitudes and the accessibility and usage of digital information resources.ResultsThirty-six patients were inquired, with a mean age of 39.8 (13.4) years. Information-seeking preferences were high, with an API-I score of 90.1 (13.8). Preferences for information-seeking behaviors were higher in severely depressed (P = 0.010) and less educated (P = 0.026) patients. Preferences were negatively correlated with length of psychiatric treatment (r = −0.514; P = 0.002). Sixty-one percent had a priori information regarding their psychiatric problem, and 68.8% considered it was influential in the decision-making behavior. Access and use of digital resources were correlated with education level (0.644; P = 0.000 and 0.554; P = 0.003), age (−0.357; P = 0.001 and −0.559; P = 0.007) and illness severity (−0.431; P = 0.04).ConclusionPatients with depression want to be informed about their mental condition and treatment options. Few resources are used and decision mostly relies on health professional's opinion and guidance. Accessible resources seem scarce and future research shall address the acceptance and impact of decisional-aid instruments on this population.

Latin American Critical Epidemiology

2021 ◽  
pp. 21-46
Author(s):  
Jaime Breilh
Keyword(s):  
Latin American ◽  
21St Century ◽  
Social Medicine ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Transformative Research ◽  
Health Movement ◽  
The North ◽  
Panoramic Analysis ◽  
English Speaking

This chapter presents a panoramic analysis of the roots and landmarks of the Latin American critical scientific tradition, explaining the historical conditions—from colonial times to 21st-century society—that determined the distinct periods of the Latin American social medicine/collective health movement, its philosophy, and its ethics. It explains how opposing perspectives and methodological differences arose during those periods, creating a paradigm clash that expresses the interests and views of scholars and decision-makers adhering to different philosophical and practical postures. It describes the fundamental influence in the conceptual and practical shaping of epidemiology of local specific conditions and pressures and also highlights the fundamental influence of and parallelism with outstanding contributions from the North. This chapter provides English-speaking audiences firsthand knowledge of an innovative scientific tradition, explaining its substantial contributions and potentialities for health transformative research, teaching, and community-based agency.

Una Perspectiva Diferente: Latin Americans and the Global Mission Movement

2003 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Heikes
Keyword(s):  
Latin American ◽  
Dynamic Force ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Culturally Appropriate ◽  
Latin Americans ◽  
Global Mission ◽  
Migrant Work ◽  
Pastoral Support ◽  
Mission Movement ◽  
Latin American Countries

Missionaries from Latin American countries make up a small but powerful part of the global mission movement. With advantages drawn from their countries' weaker economies, their own cultural and historic background, and their familiarity with migrant work, Latin Americans could soon prove invaluable in areas “resistant” to Western missionaries. Yet if this dynamic force is to reach its full potential, the Latin American church must address problems such as deficiencies of financial and pastoral support, and lack of adequate, culturally appropriate training programs.

Formative Research to Develop the IDEFICS Physical Activity Intervention Component: Findings from Focus Groups with Children and Parents

2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 246-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leen Haerens ◽  
Ilse De Bourdeaudhuij ◽  
Gabriele Eiben ◽  
Fabio Lauria ◽  
Silvia Bel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Perceived Barriers ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Personal Factors ◽  
Intervention Component ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Children And Parents

Background:The current study aimed at describing influencing factors for physical activity among young children to determine the best approaches for developing the IDEFICS community based intervention.Methods:In 8 European sites a trained moderator conducted a minimum of 4 focus groups using standardized questioning guides. A total of 56 focus groups were conducted including 36 focus groups with parents and 20 focus groups with children, of which 74 were boys and 81 girls. Key findings were identified through independent reviews of focus group summary reports using content analysis methods.Findings:Findings were generally consistent across countries. The greatest emphasis was on environmental physical (eg, seasonal influences, availability of facilities and safety), institutional (eg, length of breaks at school), and social factors (eg, role modeling of parents). Most cited personal factors by parents were age, social economical status, and perceived barriers. Both children and parents mentioned the importance of children’s preferences.Conclusions:To increase physical activity levels of young children the intervention should aim at creating an environment (physical, institutional, social) supportive of physical activity. On the other hand strategies should take into account personal factors like age and social economical status and should consider personal barriers too.

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