Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Volume 13, Issue 4, 2011, Pages 742-747

Assessing neuropsychological performance in a migrant farm working colonia in Baja California, Mexico: A feasibility study (Article) (Open Access)

Bousman C.A.* , Salgado H. , Hendrix T. , Fraga M. , Cherner M.
  • a Department of Psychiatry, Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Level 1 North, Parkville, VIC 3050, Australia
  • b San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Public Health (Global Health), San Diego State, University of California, San Diego, CA, United States
  • c Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
  • d Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Universidad Autonoma de Baja California, Baja, CA, Mexico
  • e Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

Neuropsychological impairments (NPI) can lead to difficulties in daily functioning and ultimately contribute to poor health outcomes. However, evidence for the feasibility of NPI assessment in resource-limited settings using tests developed in high literacy/high education cultures is sparse. The main objectives were to: (1) determine the feasibility and appropriateness of conducting neuropsychological assessments among a migrant farm worker population in Baja California, Mexico and (2) preliminary describe neuropsychological test performance in this unique population. A neuropsychological test battery was administered to 21 presumably healthy adults (8 men, 13 women) during a two-day international health services and research collaboration. All but one neuropsychological test (i.e. figure learning) was feasible and appropriate to administer to the study population. Contrary to expectations, participants performed better on verbal rather than nonverbal neuropsychological tests. Results support inclusion of neuropsychological tests into future studies among migrant farm worker populations in Baja California, Mexico. © The Author(s) 2011. This article is published with open access at Springerlink.com.

Author Keywords

Mexico Assessment feasibility Neuropsychological

Index Keywords

psychological aspect cognitive defect Sampling Studies mental health human epidemiology risk assessment middle aged statistics sex difference rural population Agriculture comparative study Feasibility Studies ethnology United States Young Adult Humans neuropsychological test Neuropsychological Tests Hispanic Adolescent California male Cognition Disorders female Article feasibility study adult migration age Sex Factors Age Factors Transients and Migrants Reference Values reference value Mexican Americans
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-80755163511&doi=10.1007%2fs10903-011-9443-z&partnerID=40&md5=fcf5c3649bfe5944fe95eb46d46a883b
DOI: 10.1007/s10903-011-9443-z
ISSN: 15571912
Original Language: English