Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Int J Infect Dis 2021 Apr 14. Epub 2021 Apr 14.

Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore.

Background: We examined whether existing licensed pharmacotherapies could reduce the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Methods: An open-label parallel randomized controlled trial was performed among healthy migrant workers quarantined in a large multi-storey dormitory in Singapore. Forty clusters (each defined as individual floors of the dormitory) were randomly assigned to receive a 42-day prophylaxis regimen of either oral hydroxychloroquine (400 mg once, followed by 200 mg/day), oral ivermectin (12 mg once), povidone-iodine throat spray (3 times/day, 270 µg/day), oral zinc (80 mg/day)/vitamin C (500 mg/day) combination, or oral vitamin C, 500 mg/day. Read More

Appl Psychol Health Well Being 2021 Apr 12. Epub 2021 Apr 12.

Institute of Developmental Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China.

The present study examined what, if any, patterns of parental control are associated with multiple indicators of psychosocial well-being and whether changes in these patterns over time predict subsequent psychosocial well-being. Latent profile analyses and latent transition analyses were applied to identify subgroups of parental control and transitions of these patterns over time among rural-to-urban migrant adolescents who participated in two waves of surveys with 6-month interval in 2014 (N  = 660, N  = 553). Multivariate logistic regression was conducted to explore their relationship with psychosocial well-being. Read More

Wellcome Open Res 2020 11;5:268. Epub 2020 Nov 11.

UCL Public Health Data Science Research Group, Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, Camden, NW1 2DA, UK.

: We have a limited understanding of the broader determinants of health of international migrants and how these change over time since migration to the United Kingdom (UK). To address this knowledge gap, we aim to conduct a prospective cohort study with data acquisition via a smartphone application (app). In this pilot study, we aim to 1) determine the feasibility of the use of an app for data collection in international migrants, 2) optimise app engagement by quantifying the impact of specific design features on the completion rates of survey questionnaires and on study retention, 3) gather preliminary profile health status data, to begin to examine how risk factors for health are distributed among migrants. Read More

Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021 03 2;18(5). Epub 2021 Mar 2.

Department of Public Health, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

(1) Background: Sub-Saharan African migrants residing in high-income countries are more affected by cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and associated risk factors than host populations for unclear reasons. The aim was to explore the associations of religion and religious affiliations with CVD risk among Ghanaian non-migrants and migrants in Europe. (2) Methods: The 10-year CVD risk was estimated using pooled cohort equations for 3004 participants from the cross-sectional Research on Obesity and Diabetes among African Migrants (RODAM) study. Read More

Future Healthc J 2021 Mar;8(1):28-30

North Middlesex University Hospital, London, UK.

Throughout the pandemic, the NHS has continued to charge certain patients for their care based on their immigration status and to report patients with outstanding debt to the Home Office. Research has consistently shown that these policies act as a significant barrier to healthcare access for already minoritised communities, and that during the pandemic patients have remained fearful and reluctant to seek care due to charging, including care for 'exempt' conditions such as COVID-19. Charging policies, and associated data sharing, represent only one of the myriad ways in which structural and 'every day' racism operate to impact health; however, they undoubtedly form a part of the picture as to why COVID-19 has disproportionately affected many minoritised communities. Read More

Toxicol Rep 2021 23;8:548-556. Epub 2021 Feb 23.

Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, 518055, China.

This study was aimed at estimating the intake of lead and cadmium by the Belgian consumers due to the use of ceramic ware. We adopted refined exposure scenarios with respect to migrant concentration, ceramic ware usage, and metal release characteristics. A deterministic estimation was initially performed, followed by probabilistic estimation, if the deterministic estimate exceeds toxicological reference values. Read More

Environ Pollut 2021 Mar 17;279:116867. Epub 2021 Mar 17.

Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, 47405, IN, USA; Environmental Resilience Institute, Indiana University, Bloomington, 47405, IN, USA.

In the modern era of industrialization, illuminated nights have become a common defining feature of human-occupied environments, particularly cities. Artificial light at night (ALAN) imposes several known negative impacts on the neuroendocrine system, metabolism, and seasonal reproduction of species living in the wild. However, we know little about the impact of ALAN on populations of birds that either live year-round in the same location or move to different latitudes across seasons. Read More

PLoS One 2021 18;16(3):e0247157. Epub 2021 Mar 18.

Swiss Research Institute for Public Health and Addiction at the University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.

Background: Migrant populations usually report higher smoking rates. Among those migrant populations, Turkish- and Kurdish-speaking migrants are often overrepresented. Providing equal access to health services is one of the major challenges of our time. Read More

Mov Ecol 2021 Mar 17;9(1). Epub 2021 Mar 17.

Research and Technology Centre (FTZ), University of Kiel, Hafentörn 1, 25761, Büsum, Germany.

Background: Departure decisions in long-distance migratory bird species may depend on favourable weather conditions and beneficial resources at the destination location, overarched by genetic triggers. However, few studies have tried to validate the significance of these three concepts simultaneously, and long-term, high-resolution tagging datasets recording individual movements across consecutive years are scarce. We used such a dataset to explore intraspecific and intra-individual variabilities in departure and arrival decisions from/to wintering grounds in relation to these three different concepts in bird migration. Read More

Environ Entomol 2021 Mar 10. Epub 2021 Mar 10.

State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No. 2, West Yuanmingyuan Road, Beijing 100193, China.

A facultative commitment to adult migration in the larval stage can be modified again after adult emergence in some Lepidoptera when influenced by an appropriate environmental cue during a sensitive stage. This phenomenon is termed secondary regulation of migration. The sensitive stage in adult beet webworm, Loxostege sticticalis L. Read More

Clin Microbiol Infect 2021 Feb 4. Epub 2021 Feb 4.

Department of Clinical Microbiology, Copenhagen University Hospital Amager and Hvidovre, Denmark.

Objectives: To investigate bloodstream infection (BSI) related to migrant status by comparing the incidence and mortality in migrants with that in non-migrants.

Methods: In this register-based cohort study we linked a cohort of migrants and non-migrants with a bacteraemia database covering two regions in Denmark. We included first-time BSI between January 2000 and December 2015 in individuals ≥18 years. Read More

J Family Med Prim Care 2020 Oct 30;9(10):5087-5091. Epub 2020 Oct 30.

President Academy of Family Physicians of India, President, WONCA SAR The World Organization of Family Doctors, South Asia Region.

The world is passing through the unprecedented crisis of COVID 19 pandemic. A large section of the global population has been living under mandatory mass quarantine, the lockdown, as a strategy towards slowing down the expansion of the pandemic. This lockdown is being eased out across world in a phase wise manner. Read More

J Hum Lact 2021 Feb 30;37(1):147-157. Epub 2020 Dec 30.

449819 EPIUnit - Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Portugal.

Background: Early breastfeeding practices are important determinants of later breastfeeding behaviors and can be influenced by multiple factors. Despite the reported positive influence on breastfeeding initiation, its influence on the association between maternal country of birth and first day in-hospital breastfeeding has not been examined.

Research Aims: To determine (1) if association between maternal country of birth and first day in-hospital exclusive breastfeeding exists in Portugal and (2) if any association is affected by giving birth in a Baby-Friendly Hospital. Read More

Birth 2021 Mar 22;48(1):114-121. Epub 2020 Dec 22.

University College London Hospital, London, UK.

Background: Over a two-year period between 2015 and 2016, unprecedented numbers of people arrived in Greece fleeing conflict, persecution, and poverty. With new arrivals every day, there is a significant unmet need for health care provision, posing a challenge to the Greek Healthcare System. For pregnant refugees, a known vulnerable group, this has resulted in a complex partnership of shared maternity care between humanitarian organizations, the Greek national health care system, and European multi-state initiatives. Read More

PLoS One 2020 13;15(11):e0242176. Epub 2020 Nov 13.

Institute of Life and Earth Science (Including Health and Agriculture), Pan African University, Ibadan, Nigeria.

Background: Studies revealed that internal migrants are one of the most vulnerable groups for poor sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information and services. Risky sexual behavior (RSB) is a threat to public health and might lead to serious health problems such as unintended pregnancy, abortion, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV/AIDS. The reported prevalence of RSB among young female internal migrants in Ethiopia was as high as 70. Read More

Int J Tuberc Lung Dis 2020 10;24(10):1009-1015

Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK.

Cross-border migrants at the Thailand-Myanmar border are an underserved and vulnerable population. We aimed to identify the causes and risk factors for TB mortality at a migrant-friendly TB programme. Routinely collected data on TB cases, treatment outcomes and causes of death were analysed for adult TB cases diagnosed between January 2013 and April 2017. Read More

Am J Nurs 2020 11;120(11):58-67

Lisa Heidi Kiser is a clinical assistant professor at the University of Arizona College of Nursing in Tucson. Judith Butler is an assistant professor at Frontier Nursing University in Lexington, KY. Contact author: Lisa Heidi Kiser, The authors have disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.

Background: Each year, 13,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 4,000 die from it. Moreover, 8 million women 21 to 65 years of age haven't had a Pap test in five years. Hispanic women have the highest incidence of cervical cancer and are less likely to be screened or return for care. Read More

PLoS One 2020 14;15(10):e0239747. Epub 2020 Oct 14.

Institute of Scientific and Technological Communication & Information in Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

This study provides an exploration of the meanings of leisure for humanitarian migrants in regional Australia and these meanings' implications for health. It uses mixed-methods to explore leisure-time physical activity participation and day-to-day experiences of leisure and health. A sample representing approximately one third of the Coffs Coast adult humanitarian migrant population completed the survey, as well as 32 individuals who participated in interviews and focus groups. Read More

Malar J 2020 Sep 25;19(1):346. Epub 2020 Sep 25.

Anti Malaria Campaign, Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Background: Following malaria elimination, Sri Lanka was free from indigenous transmission for six consecutive years, until the first introduced case was reported in December 2018. The source of transmission (index case) was a member of a group of 32 migrant workers from India and the location of transmission was their residence reporting a high prevalence of the primary vector for malaria. Despite extensive vector control the situation was highly susceptible to onward transmission if another of the group developed malaria. Read More

PLoS One 2020 17;15(9):e0238778. Epub 2020 Sep 17.

Gender Violence & Health Centre, Department of Global Health & Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.

Background: Awareness-raising and pre-migration training are popular strategies to prevent human trafficking. Programmatic theories assume that when prospective migrants are equipped with information about risks, they will make more-informed choices, ultimately resulting in safe migration. In 2016, India was estimated to have 8 million people in modern slavery, including those who migrate internally for work. Read More

J Agromedicine 2020 Oct 12;25(4):409-412. Epub 2020 Sep 12.

NC Agromedicine Institute , Greenville, North Carolina, USA.

North Carolina employs 78,000+ migrant/seasonal farmworkers (MSFWs) annually. Arrival/departure dates are crop and weather dependent. MSFWs may be employed by a grower or a farm labor contractor (FLC). Read More

Ann Glob Health 2020 08 3;86(1):90. Epub 2020 Aug 3.

College of Pharmacy, University of Southern Philippines Foundation, Cebu City, PH.

Background And Purpose: Food insecurity exists whenever accessibility to nutritious food is limited. It affects a person's health with regards to nutritional status, indicated by malnourishment or overnutrition. This study aims to study the relationship between household income, household food insecurity, and weight status of migrant workers in Klang Valley, Selangor. Read More

PLoS Med 2020 08 7;17(8):e1003234. Epub 2020 Aug 7.

Department of Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.

Background: In common with many other low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), rural to urban migrants in India are at increased risk of obesity, but it is unclear whether this is due to increased energy intake, reduced energy expenditure, or both. Knowing this and the relative contribution of specific dietary and physical activity behaviours to greater adiposity among urban migrants could inform policies for control of the obesity epidemic in India and other urbanising LMICs. In the Indian Migration Study, we previously found that urban migrants had greater prevalence of obesity and diabetes compared with their nonmigrant rural-dwelling siblings. Read More

Workplace Health Saf 2021 Jan 28;69(1):15-21. Epub 2020 Jul 28.

Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University.

Outdoor workers are exposed to hot work environments and are at risk of heat-related morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the knowledge of migrant farmworkers about first aid for heat-related illness (HRI) symptoms. The authors recruited 60 migrant farmworkers out of 66 who were approached from vegetable farms in Georgia. Read More

J Med Internet Res 2020 08 6;22(8):e20328. Epub 2020 Aug 6.

Department of Medical Statistics, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.

Background: People undergoing mass home- and community-based quarantine are vulnerable to mental health disorders during outbreaks of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), but few studies have evaluated the associated psychosocial factors.

Objective: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms and identify associated demographic and psychosocial factors in the general Chinese population during the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine period.

Methods: Participants aged 18 years or above were recruited in a cross-sectional online survey using snowball sampling from February 26-29, 2020. Read More

BMC Ecol 2020 07 8;20(1):36. Epub 2020 Jul 8.

Institute of Avian Research, An der Vogelwarte 21, 26386, Wilhelmshaven, Germany.

Background: Migrant birds travel between their breeding areas and wintering grounds by alternating energetically and physiologically demanding flights with periods of rest and fuelling, so-called stopovers. An important intrinsic factor influencing the decision to resume migration is the amount of energy stores available for the next flight. Correlative studies with free-flying birds and experimental studies with caged birds have shown that the amount of energy stores affects the day-to-day, within-day and the directional decision of departure. Read More

BMC Public Health 2020 Jul 3;20(1):1054. Epub 2020 Jul 3.

School of Humanities and Management, Research Center for Quality of Life and Applied Psychology, Guangdong Medical University, 1#, Xincheng Avenue, Songshanhu District, Dongguan, Guangdong, China.

Background: Utilization of primary health care is an important aspect of elderly internal migrants' access to screening and preventive services in China. It has been evident that social contacts, such as community engagement, social mobilization, and the ability to communicate were related to health service delivery, but little has been done to explore the relationship between social contacts and utilization of primary health care for this group. This study aimed to explore the factors influencing utilization of primary health care from the perspective of social contacts among elderly internal migrants in China. Read More

Mol Biol Evol 2020 11;37(11):3175-3187

Departament de Ciències Experimentals i de la Salut, Institut de Biologia Evolutiva (CSIC-UPF), Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain.

The Roma Diaspora-traditionally known as Gypsies-remains among the least explored population migratory events in historical times. It involved the migration of Roma ancestors out-of-India through the plateaus of Western Asia ultimately reaching Europe. The demographic effects of the Diaspora-bottlenecks, endogamy, and gene flow-might have left marked molecular traces in the Roma genomes. Read More

Mov Ecol 2020 29;8:23. Epub 2020 May 29.

Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, UMR 7372 du CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France.

Background: The timing of events in the early part of the breeding season is crucially important for successful reproduction. Long-lived animals that migrate large distances independently of each other meet at the breeding sites to re-establish their pair bonds and coordinate their breeding duties with their partners.

Methods: Using miniature light-geolocation and immersion data together with blood stable isotopes, we studied the early breeding season in Thin-billed prions Antarctic prions and Blue petrels breeding at Kerguelen Islands in the Indian Ocean. Read More

J Urban Health 2020 08;97(4):439-447

Opioid Policy Research Collaborative, Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, 415 South Main St. MS 035, Waltham, MA, 02454-9110, USA.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities house thousands of undocumented immigrants in environments discordant with the public health recommendations to reduce the transmission of 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Read More