Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38687776›Full record

ArticlePloS one2024

From struggle to strength in African and Middle Eastern newcomers' integration stories to Canada: A participatory health equity research study.

Maggie Fong, Amy Liu, Bryan Lung, Ibrahim Alayche, Shahab Sayfi, Ryan Yuhi Kirenga, Marie Hélène Chomienne, Ammar Saad, Jean Grenier, Azaad Kassam and 2 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Maggie FongDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.ORCID 0000-0002-8138-6958
Amy LiuDepartment of Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
Bryan LungDepartment of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.ORCID 0009-0007-4573-4648
Ibrahim AlaycheDepartment of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.ORCID 0000-0003-2687-8041
Shahab SayfiDepartment of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.ORCID 0000-0001-5042-0140
Ryan Yuhi KirengaThe Vulnerability, Trauma, Resilience and Culture Research Laboratory (V-TRaC), University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Marie Hélène ChomienneDepartment of Family Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Ammar SaadSchool of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Jean GrenierDepartment of Family Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Azaad KassamDepartment of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.ORCID 0000-0002-9565-1740
Rukhsana AhmedDepartment of Communication, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, New York, United States of America.ORCID 0000-0003-0381-4491
Kevin PottieInstitut du Savoir Montfort, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.ORCID 0000-0002-1874-8346

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND

objectivesNewcomers (immigrants, refugees, and international students) face many personal, gender, cultural, environmental and health system barriers when integrating into a new society. These struggles can affect their health and social care, reducing access to mental health care. This study explores the lived experiences of African and Middle Eastern newcomers to Ontario, Canada. An understanding of newcomer integration challenges, successes and social justice issues is needed to improve health equity and social services.

methodsIn this qualitative study, we used a participatory research approach to collect stories reflecting participants' integration perspectives and experiences. Beginning with our immigrant community network, we used snowball sampling to recruit newcomers, ages 18 to 30, originating from Africa or the Middle East. We used qualitative narrative analysis to interpret stories, identifying context themes, integrating related barriers and facilitators, and resolutions and learnings. We shared our findings and sought final feedback from our participants.

findingsA total of 18 newcomers, 78% female and approximately half post-secondary students, participated in the study. Participants described an unknown and intimidating migration context, with periods of loneliness and isolation aggravated by cold winter conditions and unfamiliar language and culture. Amidst the struggles, the support of friends and family, along with engaging in schoolwork, exploring new learning opportunities, and participating in community services, all facilitated integration and forged new resilience.

conclusionsCommunity building, friendships, and local services emerged as key elements for future immigrant service research. Utilizing a participatory health research approach allowed us to respond to the call for social justice-oriented research that helps to generate scientific knowledge for promoting culturally adaptive health care and access for marginalized populations.

Indexed as

Emigrants and ImmigrantsHealth EquityAdolescentAdultAfricaCanadaCommunity-Based Participatory ResearchFemaleHumansMaleMiddle EastOntarioQualitative ResearchRefugeesYoung Adult

Identifiers

PMID38687776
PMCPMC11060515

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.