International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Volume 16, Issue 4, 2019

The oral health of refugees and Asylum seekers in Canada: A mixed methods study protocol (Article) (Open Access)

Macdonald M.E.* , Keboa M.T. , Nurelhuda N.M. , Lawrence H.P. , Carnevale F. , McNally M. , Singhal S. , Ka K. , Nicolau B.
  • a Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, 500-2001 McGill College, Montréal, QC H3A 1G1, Canada
  • b Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, 500-2001 McGill College, Montréal, QC H3A 1G1, Canada
  • c Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, 124 Edward St, Toronto, ON M5G 1G6, Canada
  • d Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, 124 Edward St, Toronto, ON M5G 1G6, Canada
  • e Ingram School of Nursing, McGill University, 680 Sherbrooke West 1800, Montréal, QC H3A 2M7, Canada
  • f Faculty of Dentistry, Dalhousie University, 5981 University Avenue, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
  • g Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, 124 Edward St, Toronto, ON M5G 1G6, Canada
  • h Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, 500-2001 McGill College, Montréal, QC H3A 1G1, Canada
  • i Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, 500-2001 McGill College, Montréal, QC H3A 1G1, Canada

Abstract

Canada received over 140,000 refugees and asylum seekers between 2015 and 2017. This paper presents a protocol with the purpose of generating robust baseline data on the oral health of this population and build a long-term program of research to improve their access to dental care in Canada. The three-phase project uses a sequential mixed methods design, with the Behavioral Model for Vulnerable Populations as the conceptual framework. In Phase 1a, we will conduct five focus groups (six to eight participants per group) in community organizations in Ontario, Canada, to collect additional sociocultural data for the research program. In Phase 1b, we will use respondent-driven sampling to recruit 420 humanitarian migrants in Ontario and Quebec. Participants will complete a questionnaire capturing socio-demographic information, perceived general health, diet, smoking, oral care habits, oral symptoms, and satisfaction with oral health. They will then undergo dental examination for caries experience, periodontal health, oral pain, and traumatic dental injuries. In Phase 2, we will bring together all qualitative and quantitative results by means of a mixed methods matrix. Finally, in Phase 3, we will hold a one-day meeting with policy makers, dentists, and community leaders to refine interpretations and begin designing future oral health interventions for this population. © 2019 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

Author Keywords

Migrants Oral health Refugees health policy Mixed methods design

Index Keywords

information processing clinical protocol minority health refugee mouth disease Oral Health human Refugees tooth injury mouth pain middle aged statistics and numerical data diet mouth hygiene Aged Dental Health Surveys dental disease assessment dental procedure health asylum seeker Young Adult Dental Care Humans migrant conceptual framework smoking Adolescent Canada dental caries patient satisfaction standards community organization Article adult migration health care access Health Services Accessibility Health Policy Transients and Migrants Ontario [Canada] Quebec [Canada] Focus Groups health care delivery immigrant population
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85061852990&doi=10.3390%2fijerph16040542&partnerID=40&md5=387ed6d2f82134387eb9695115c75524
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16040542
ISSN: 16617827
Original Language: English