Search

This scoping review provides an overview of cancer interventions implemented with Arab Americans across the cancer control continuum, including an examination of outcomes and implementation processes. The search strategy included database searching and reviewing reference lists and forward citations to identify articles describing interventions with Arab adults living in the US, with no restrictions on date of publication or research methodology. The review included 23 papers describing 12 unique cancer interventions. Most interventions focused on individual-level determinants of breast and cervical cancer screening; used non-quasi-experimental research designs to evaluate intervention effectiveness; and demonstrated improvements in short-term cancer screening knowledge. Implementation processes were less commonly described. Most interventions were culturally and linguistically tailored to communities of focus; were delivered in educational sessions in community settings; engaged with the community mostly for recruitment and implementation; and were funded by foundation grants. Suggestions for research and intervention development are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A systematic review was undertaken to identify lifestyle intervention studies in South Asian migrant populations to determine the effect on the components of the metabolic syndrome. A total of seven studies were identified, of which six focused on educational advice and the seventh on intensive exercise intervention. Four studies were Randomised Controlled Trials of which two studies reported significant reductions in waist circumference. One of these studies focused on home based education with cooperation of the home cook (adjusted waist reduction of 1.9 cm, 95 % CI 0.52-3.3 cm; p = 0.007) and the other entailed an intensive physical activity program (adjusted waist reduction 3.4 cm, 95 % CI 2.0-4.7 cm). The evidence whether lifestyle intervention studies in South Asians can improve components of the metabolic system is not clear. Further lifestyle interventions for South Asians should be culturally adapted, involve friends and family, especially those with cooking responsibilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present literature review was conducted to determine what information has been published on the topic of undocumented pregnant migrants. Scientific databases and gray literature sources were searched for articles published between January 1967 and September 2010. Eighty-seven articles met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed. A final sample of 23 articles was included in the review. Existing evidence suggests that pregnant undocumented migrants living in Western societies tend to be younger, unmarried, and more likely to be employed in the domestic sector than documented migrants and permanent residents. They have less access to prenatal care and consult later in pregnancy than controls. Findings concerning delivery and birth outcomes are conflicting and subject to several biases. Little has been published on programs to address the needs of undocumented pregnant women living in Western countries. More research on the particular health and social issues faced by these women is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]