Examining the perceptions of diabetes risk factors among Congolese immigrants in Illinois

Diabetes is increasingly recognized as a serious, worldwide public health concern, due to its prevalence. Many scholars have focused on understanding the distribution of diabetes in terms of race, gender, and age. When considering the distribution of diabetes per ethnicity, researchers agree that African immigrants are not exempt of having diabetes. In addition, several studies argued that primary concerns of diabetes are diet, physical activity, and lifestyle. To further analyzing the study of diabetes distribution per ethnicity, some research focuses on the impact of factors such as diet, physical activity, and lifestyle on African immigrants. The aim of the current inquiry is to shine new light on these debates through an assessment of perception of risk factors associated with diabetes among Congolese immigrants by demographic-based. To accomplish such aim, a cross-sectional study was used to examine subjective responses on their perception of risk factors towards diabetes among Congolese living in the Champaign-Urbana area. A nonprobability sampling approach will be used to collect data on participants’ perception and risk factors of diabetes. The guiding research questions are: (1) What are the demographic rates associated with the distribution of diabetes’ perception of risk factors? And (2) What types of aspects increase the likelihood of risk factors in regards to diabetes? We hypothesize that more female Congolese will perceive diabetes risk factors than male Congolese. We also expect that education level will be the predictor of diabetes risk among Congolese immigrants. While this study sheds light on the perception of risk factors associated with diabetes among Congolese immigrants, it nuances the findings when it comes to the interplay between ethnicity and diabetes. The implication of the current study will be crucial in addressing cultural competency discourse

Socio-Cultural Factors Associated with Epidemics: The Case of 2014 Ebola Outbreak

Public health behaviors often frame issues as ascribed or related to individuals’ actions or inaction. This framing suggests that poor health occurs because individuals are unable or unwilling to heed preventive messages or recommended treatment actions. Moreover, the United Nations Millennium Development Goals call for strategies to reduce combat specific diseases using individual behavioral measures as well as develop a partnership between countries for health development. Using the PEN-3 cultural model as an analytical framework, the objective of this work is to assess the role played by socio- cultural factors in the spread and or prevention of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in West Africa. Results of the study revealed that positive, existential and negative factors were associated with the spread of EVD. Future interventions targeting EVD propagation in low-income countries should address socio-cultural factors, as they are necessary to support health equity

Socio-Cultural Factors Associated with Epidemics: The Case of 2014 Ebola Outbreak

Public health behaviors often frame issues as ascribed or related to individuals’ actions or inaction. This framing suggests that poor health occurs because individuals are unable or unwilling to heed preventive messages or recommended treatment actions. Moreover, the United Nations Millennium Development Goals call for strategies to reduce combat specific diseases using individual behavioral measures as well as develop a partnership between countries for health development. Using the PEN-3 cultural model as an analytical framework, the objective of this work is to assess the role played by socio- cultural factors in the spread and or prevention of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in West Africa. Results of the study revealed that positive, existential and negative factors were associated with the spread of EVD. Future interventions targeting EVD propagation in low-income countries should address socio-cultural factors, as they are necessary to support health equity

Comparing health insurance status of Congolese and African American communities of Stone Creek Church in Champaign Urbana

When it comes to health insurance status in the U.S, minorities represent the largest uninsured group due to various factors such as unemployment status, lack of education, and poverty. The last recession has worsened the situation by increasing the number of uninsured across the country (KFF, 2012). Black communities of Champaign County in Illinois are not exempt from this alarming situation. The purpose of this study is to compare the health insurance status of two different minority communities in the Champaign area. The research questions associated with this inquiry are twofold. The first question is: Is there a difference in health insurance status between Congolese and African Americans attending the same church in Urbana, Illinois? This question will examine the trends of health insurance status between these groups. The second question is: Are there barriers associated with the coverage of health insurance among these minority groups? A questionnaire was randomly distributed to participants after church services to ensure that they reported their health insurance status. A sample size of 109 people was obtained (55 Congolese with 30 males or 54.55% and 25 females or 45.5% participated in the study, 54 African Americans with 24 males or 44.4% and 30 females or 55.6% participated in the study). The results of this study show that income variable is statistically significant to distinguish between having health insurance and not having health insurance for both African American and Congolese communities attending a local church in the Champaign area. For Congolese, the length of stay in the U.S. is statistically significant to distinguish between having health insurance and not having one. English proficiency, high premiums, and the lack of knowledge of health care system were identified as barriers to health care access among Congolese and African Americans

Public trust in the time of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): The case of the DR Congo

Over the past half century, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), a low-income and post-conflict country, has experienced several Ebola Virus Disease outbreaks, with different fatality rates. The DRC is currently experiencing the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Using the PEN-3 cultural model, we assessed the socio-cultural factors affecting public trust in the government and its health agencies. Results of this analysis revealed the perceptions, enablers, and nurturers that impacted public trust in the government and its health agencies among the Congolese population. Future interventions designed to address the COVID-19 in the DRC should account for these socio-cultural factors.Journal ArticleFinal article publishe

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

Advances in HIV prevention and treatment: A literature review

Background: The last decade has witnessed several advances in the management of HIV/AIDS with the development of potent and safe antiretroviral drugs and new HIV prevention technologies. Objective: This review summarizes the recent advances in the management of the HIV infection. Methods: Medline via PubMed and Google search engine were searched for articles dealing with antiretroviral therapy and new prevention technologies. Results: The understanding of the lifecycle of the HIV was a turning point that provided researchers with the knowledge and tools needed to prosecute drug discovery efforts focused on targeted inhibition with specific pharmacological agents. New prevention technologies continue to expand the current toolbox, transforming HIV/AIDS from an inevitable lethal disease into a manageable condition. The integration of behavioral, biomedical and structural interventions will likely reduce the incidence of HIV while promising new leads for an effective HIV vaccine keep the hope of a world free of HIV alive. Conclusion: Although the fight against HIV has been long and arduous, many signs seem to suggest that ending HIV epidemic is not only possible; it is well in our reach.Journal ArticleFinal article publishe

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

Socio-cultural factors influencing the Ebola Virus diseaserelated stigma among African immigrants in the United States

African immigrants, one of the fastest-growing immigrant populations in the United States (U.S.), face many unique challenges. Since December 2013, the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) has been claiming lives and altering the societies of origin of West and Central African immigrants. Using the PEN-3 cultural model, a thematic analysis of mainstream U.S. news media was conducted to assess the socio-cultural factors influencing EVD-related stigma experienced by African immigrants. Results of this analysis revealed the perceptions and enabling/nurturing factors that exacerbated or prevented EVD-related stigma. Future interventions designed to address stigma experienced by African immigrants should include EVD-related stigma.Journal ArticleFinal article publishe