Exploring the Cultural Perceptions of Physical Activity among Transnational Nigerian Immigrants

Background: Transnational Nigerian Immigrants, as other Transnational African Immigrants, are a subset of African immigrants with the unique ability to sustain multi-national ties. These ties could potentially affect health behavior choices and participation in physical activity. Physical Activity has the potential to improve health and prevent chronic diseases; however, there is a lack of literature regarding physical activity and its determinants within the Transnational African Immigrant population in general. This study investigated the cultural factors that shape Transnational Nigerian Immigrants’ perceptions and attitudes towards physical activity. Methods: Semi-structured, individual interviews supported by photo-elicitation were conducted on 24 Transnational Nigerian Immigrants (11 males, 13 females) to collect rich data. Results: Participants identified factors such as cultural differences, lack of education, and transnational responsibilities as influential to their choices for physical activity participation and called for culturally tailored approaches to their community. Conclusion: Results of the study increased our understanding of the impact of transnational activities and identities towards potential health choices. It addresses the socio-cultural factors influencing physical activity behavior within the Transnational African Immigrant community and how it can inform future research on culturally diverse Black populations, further proving that there is not a one-size-fits all approach to addressing health disparities within the Black populatio

Perceptions of Dietary Habits and Risk for Type 2 Diabetes among Congolese Immigrants

Objective. To explore the perceptions of dietary habits and type 2 diabetes risk among Congolese immigrants living in the US. Methods. Data were collected from 20 in-depth interviews and photo-elicitation techniques conducted with Congolese immigrants. The PEN-3 cultural model was used as a guide to analyze the data collected. Results. Participants identified positive, existential, and negative perceptions, enablers, and nurturers associated with dietary habits and type 2 diabetes risk. Participants also acknowledged intrinsic cultural ways of understanding and interpreting the interaction between dietary habits and type 2 diabetes risk among the Congolese people which may influence their health-seeking practices. Conclusions. The findings underscore the importance of culture and how sociocultural factors may play a role with designing culturally appropriate interventions aimed at addressing the risk for type 2 diabetes among Congolese immigrants in the US

Exploring the cultural perceptions of physical activity among transnational Nigerian immigrants

Background: Transnational Nigerian Immigrants, as other Transnational African Immigrants, are a subset of African immigrants with the unique ability to sustain multi-national ties. These ties could potentially affect health behavior choices and participation in physical activity. Physical Activity has the potential to improve health and prevent chronic diseases; however, there is a lack of literature regarding physical activity and its determinants within the Transnational African Immigrant population in general. This study investigated the cultural factors that shape Transnational Nigerian Immigrants’ perceptions and attitudes towards physical activity. Methods: Semi-structured, individual interviews supported by photo-elicitation were conducted on 24 Transnational Nigerian Immigrants (11 males, 13 females) to collect rich data. Results: Participants identified factors such as cultural differences, lack of education, and transnational responsibilities as influential to their choices for physical activity participation and called for culturally tailored approaches to their community. Conclusion: Results of the study increased our understanding of the impact of transnational activities and identities towards potential health choices. It addresses the socio-cultural factors influencing physical activity behavior within the Transnational African Immigrant community and how it can inform future research on culturally diverse Black populations, further proving that there is not a one-size-fits all approach to addressing health disparities within the Black population.Journal ArticleFinal article publishe

Exploring perceptions of stress factors among transnational West African immigrant women

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the transnational connections of West African women immigrants and stress factors. From our extensive research, there is a scarcity of studies investigating this matter concerning transnational immigrant health. We conducted three focus group interviews with 7 transnational West African immigrants living in Chicago, Illinois. The PEN-3 model, as a cultural framework, was applied to guide the thematic analysis to explore the phenomenon of stress in West African immigrant women who maintain transnational ties between their home countries and the United States. Participants noted that a primary factor around increased stress involved trying to maintain strong ties to their native customs while acculturating to a foreign land. In particular, these women face challenges around employment and domestic responsibilities while also attempting to manage transnational responsibilities such as sending remittances back to their native land. The West African immigrant women of this study face several challenges in maintaining their home, work and social life. However, when they are resettling in a new land, these challenges affect them multidimensionally, including cultural identity, relationships and expectations, and cultural empowerment, which are elements of the PEN-3 framework. For these reasons, health researchers and intervention planners would benefit from further research into the links between the transnational connections that female African immigrants experience and their stress related coping behaviors.Journal Articl

Determinants of stroke prevalence in the southeastern region of the United States

Purpose The southeast of the United States (USA) is a high stroke prevalence area otherwise known as the BStroke Belt™ in order to characterize the increased stroke morbidity and mortality rates found there. The purpose of this study was to characterize the relationship between socio-cultural factors and dietary habits related to stroke occurrence within the affected states. Methods The 2015 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data was analyzed for both bivariate and multivariate models aimed at studying the interaction between socio-cultural factors and the prevalence pattern of stroke in the southeastern area of the USA. Results Overall, 4% of individuals who lived in the US southeastern states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi had stroke. Of these, Mississippi had the most stroke victims, followed by Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia, and Florida, with 5.1%, 4.7%, 4.5%, 4.3%, and 3.4% respectively (χ2 = 18.68 and p value < 0.01). The logistic regression showed that individuals who consumed vegetables every day were less likely to be stroke victims than those who did not consume vegetables on a daily basis, with aOR = 0.74; CI = 0.59–0.91; p value < 0.01. Surprisingly, individuals who drank alcohol were less likely to report stroke than those who did not drink alcohol (aOR = 0.63; CI = 0.51–0.79; p value < 0.001). Conclusion Characterization of factors associated with stroke prevalence in a region of the USA known for its adverse stroke rates is essential for offsetting the burden of this public health issue and for promoting health.Journal ArticlePublishe