•Many interventions try to remove mercury in artisanal gold mining.•This review found social, technical, environmental aspects must be considered.•A systematic review determined barriers involved ...with current solutions.•Removing mercury in AGM requires a comprehensive approach.•Technology, education, mineralogy, and government support are needed.
Solutions addressing mercury in artisanal gold mining must be comprehensive. Display omitted
Artisanal gold mining (AGM) continues to be a pervasive global health issue. While there are various problems associated with AGM, mercury exposure is the primary hazard contributing to adverse health effects in exposed human populations. Over the last several decades, many interventions have been developed and implemented to curb mercury emissions and releases, notwithstanding a comprehensive review of context specific effectiveness. A systematic review was conducted in order to specifically assess the impact of current mercury interventions within the AGM sector worldwide. To aid in this review, a resource pool of information on AGM and mercury, treatment and management of emissions and releases, and interventions was assembled through a search conducted via multiple search engines. This search determined that there have been many strategies used to reduce or eliminate mercury, through interventions or programs focusing on education, processing centers, or mercury alternative techniques. Education has focused on environment or health awareness or more specifically on cleaner or alternative techniques. Processing centers offered artisanal miners rudimentary equipment for grinding and amalgamation that extract less than 30% of the gold as an exchange for their tailings. Some techniques reduced mercury releases including retorts, mill leaching, vat-leaching, and others replaced mercury from the process such as magnets, direct smelting, sluices, and borax. There are both positive and negative outcomes associated with every intervention. Novel and comprehensive strategies—including mercury removal technology, miner education on mercury hazards, economic gains, and policy—are needed to address mercury public health issues associated with AGM.
Racial/ethnic minority groups with HIV in the United States are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 consequences and can significantly benefit from increased uptake of COVID-19 vaccines. This study ...identified factors associated with full COVID-19 vaccination among people with HIV.
Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program in Miami-Dade County, FL.
Data were collected from 299 Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program adult clients during January-March 2022 using a cross-sectional phone survey. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). All analyses were weighted to be representative of the race/ethnicity and sex distribution of clients in the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program.
Eighty-four percent of participants were fully vaccinated with a primary vaccine series; stratified by race/ethnicity, the percentages were 88.9% of Hispanic, 72.0% of black/African American, and 67.5% of Haitian participants. Fully vaccinated participants were less likely to be black/African American than Hispanic (aOR = 0.18; 95% CI: 0.05 to 0.67) and more likely to not endorse any misconceptions about COVID-19 vaccines (aOR = 8.26; 95% CI: 1.38 to 49.64), to report encouragement to get vaccinated from sources of information (aOR = 20.82; 95% CI: 5.84 to 74.14), and to perceive that more than 50% of their social network was vaccinated (aOR = 3.35; 95% CI: 1.04 to 10.71). Experiences of health care discrimination, structural barriers to access vaccines, and recommendations from HIV providers were not associated with full vaccination.
These findings highlight the importance of delivering accurate and positive messages about vaccines and engaging social networks to promote COVID-19 vaccination among people with HIV. This information can be leveraged to promote uptake of subsequent boosters and other recommended vaccines.
Most studies on psychosocial stress among Hispanics have focused on risk factors. To better understand psychosocial stress among this population, this study aimed to examine components of bicultural ...identity integration and bicultural self‐efficacy, that may be associated with lower psychosocial stress among Hispanic emerging adults (ages 18–25). This aim was tested on a cross‐sectional sample of Hispanic emerging adults (Mage = 21.30, SD = 2.09) that included 200 participants (Arizona n = 99, Florida n = 101). The sample included men (n = 98) and women (n = 102). Most participants were US‐born (70%), college students (69.5%), and of Mexican heritage (44%). Standardized coefficients from a hierarchical multiple regression model indicate that higher levels of the bicultural harmony component of bicultural identity integration (β = −0.26, p < 0.001) and the social groundedness component of bicultural self‐efficacy (β = −0.23, p < 0.01) were associated with lower levels of psychosocial stress. To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine components of bicultural identity integration and bicultural self‐efficacy and their respective associations with psychosocial stress among any racial/ethnic group. Thus, more studies are needed to replicate our findings to determine if bicultural identity integration and bicultural self‐efficacy should be considered in psychosocial stress interventions for Hispanics.
Objectives: Ethnic discrimination and acculturative stress play an important role in sexual risk behaviors for Latinx emerging adults, who are at disproportionate risk for sexually transmitted ...infections. Factors such as familism support and ethnic identity may be protective, yet research is limited. This study is guided by a culturally adapted stress and coping framework to examine associations of ethnic discrimination and acculturative stress with sexual risk behaviors (i.e., multiple sex partners, alcohol or drug use before sex, and condomless sex with a primary or casual partner), and examine the moderating roles of familism support and ethnic identity among Latinx emerging adults. Method: Participants were recruited from Arizona and Florida and were primarily female (51.3%) with a mean age of 21.48 years (SD = 2.06). Using cross-sectional data from 158 sexually active Latinx emerging adults, this study employed multiple logistic regression and moderation analyses. Results: Higher levels of ethnic discrimination and pressure to acculturate were associated with fewer sex partners, and higher levels of pressure against acculturation were associated with increased condomless sex with a casual partner. The moderation effect of higher levels of familism support on pressure to acculturate was associated with fewer sex partners, and the moderation effect of higher levels of ethnic identity on pressure against acculturation was associated with decreased condomless sex with casual partners. Conclusions: Examining the results within a culturally informed theoretical framework supports that protective factors may help mitigate sexual risk factors among Latinx emerging adults experiencing acculturative stress.
Public Significance Statement
Ethnic discrimination and acculturative stress can be linked with sexual risk behaviors among Latinx emerging adults. This study found that while ethnic discrimination and pressure to acculturate were linked with fewer sex partners, pressure against acculturation was linked to increased condomless sex with a casual partner. Family support and ethnic identity can be protective in the prevention of sexual risk behaviors among Latinx emerging adults who experience acculturative stress.
Objective
This study examined associations of family cohesion and acculturation gap conflicts with depressive symptoms, as well as the moderation effect of family cohesion on the association between ...acculturation gap conflicts and depressive symptoms among Latinx emerging adults.
Background
In addition to normative developmental stressors (e.g., making long‐term career decisions), many Latinx emerging adults face additional sociocultural stressors (acculturative stress, ethnic discrimination) that put them at risk of experiencing adverse psychological outcomes. However, acculturation gap conflicts have not been examined much in this population.
Method
Data from a cross‐sectional survey were collected from 200 participants from Arizona (n = 99) and Florida (n = 101). Hierarchical multiple regression and moderation analyses were conducted to examine the association between acculturation gap conflicts and depressive symptoms and the moderating effects of family cohesion of that respective association.
Results
Higher family cohesion was associated with lower depressive symptoms. Conversely, higher acculturation gap conflicts were associated with higher depressive symptoms. Moderation analyses indicated that family cohesion moderated the association between acculturation gap conflicts and depressive symptoms.
Conclusion
This study adds to the limited literature on acculturation gap conflicts among Latinx emerging adults and advances our understanding of the role of family cohesion as a modifiable moderator.
Implications
It is critical to identify culturally relevant and modifiable determinants that can have beneficial or adverse associations with the mental health of Latinx emerging adults. Findings from this study have the potential to inform intervention for mental health targeting Latinx emerging adults.
COVID-19 profoundly and uniquely impacted people with HIV. People with HIV experienced significant psychosocial and socioeconomic impacts, yet a limited amount of research has explored potential ...differences across gender and racial/ethnic groups of people with HIV.BACKGROUNDCOVID-19 profoundly and uniquely impacted people with HIV. People with HIV experienced significant psychosocial and socioeconomic impacts, yet a limited amount of research has explored potential differences across gender and racial/ethnic groups of people with HIV.The objective of this study was to examine psychosocial and socioeconomic stressors related to the COVID-19 pandemic among a diverse sample of people with HIV in South Florida and to determine if the types of stressors varied across gender and racial/ethnic groups.OBJECTIVEThe objective of this study was to examine psychosocial and socioeconomic stressors related to the COVID-19 pandemic among a diverse sample of people with HIV in South Florida and to determine if the types of stressors varied across gender and racial/ethnic groups.We analyzed data from a cross-sectional survey with Miami-Dade County, Ryan White Program recipients. Outcomes included mental health, socioeconomic, drug/alcohol, and care responsibility/social support changes. Weighted descriptive analyses provided an overview of stressors by gender and racial/ethnic group and logistic regressions estimated associations between demographics and stressors.METHODSWe analyzed data from a cross-sectional survey with Miami-Dade County, Ryan White Program recipients. Outcomes included mental health, socioeconomic, drug/alcohol, and care responsibility/social support changes. Weighted descriptive analyses provided an overview of stressors by gender and racial/ethnic group and logistic regressions estimated associations between demographics and stressors.Among 291 participants, 39% were Non-Hispanic Black, 18% were Haitian, and 43% were Hispanic. Adjusting for age, sex, language, and foreign-born status, Hispanics were more likely to report several worsened mental health (i.e. increased loneliness, anxiety) and socioeconomic stressors (i.e. decreased income). Spanish speakers were more likely to report not getting the social support they needed. Women were more likely to report spending more time caring for children.RESULTSAmong 291 participants, 39% were Non-Hispanic Black, 18% were Haitian, and 43% were Hispanic. Adjusting for age, sex, language, and foreign-born status, Hispanics were more likely to report several worsened mental health (i.e. increased loneliness, anxiety) and socioeconomic stressors (i.e. decreased income). Spanish speakers were more likely to report not getting the social support they needed. Women were more likely to report spending more time caring for children.Findings highlight ways in which cultural and gender expectations impacted experiences across people with HIV and suggest strategies to inform interventions and resources during lingering and future public health emergencies. Results suggest that public health emergencies have different impacts on different communities. Without acknowledging and responding to differences, we risk losing strides towards progress in health equity.CONCLUSIONSFindings highlight ways in which cultural and gender expectations impacted experiences across people with HIV and suggest strategies to inform interventions and resources during lingering and future public health emergencies. Results suggest that public health emergencies have different impacts on different communities. Without acknowledging and responding to differences, we risk losing strides towards progress in health equity.
Background: This study examined (a) the direct association of family cohesion on alcohol use severity among adult Hispanic immigrants; (b) the indirect association of family cohesion on alcohol use ...severity via social support; and (c) if gender moderates the direct and indirect associations between family cohesion and alcohol use severity. Method: Mediation and moderation analyses were conducted on a cross-sectional sample of 411 (men = 222, women = 189) participants from Miami-Dade, Florida. Results: Findings indicate that higher family cohesion was directly associated with higher social support and lower alcohol use severity. Higher social support was also directly associated with lower alcohol use severity. Additionally, family cohesion had an indirect association with alcohol use severity via social support. Moderation analyses indicated that gender moderated the direct association between family cohesion and alcohol use severity, but did not moderate the indirect association. Conclusions: Some potential clinical implications may be that strengthening family cohesion may enhance levels of social support, and in turn, lower alcohol use severity among adult Hispanic immigrants. Furthermore, strengthening family cohesion may be especially beneficial to men in efforts to lower levels of alcohol use severity.
HIV testing early in the immigration process can facilitate timely linkage to HIV prevention and treatment services for immigrants. This study aims to determine the prevalence of self-report HIV ...testing pre- and post-immigration and the associations between pre-immigration HIV sexual risk behaviors, access to healthcare post-immigration, and HIV testing post-immigration among young adult recent Latino immigrants. Cross-sectional data from 504 recent Latino immigrants aged 18 to 34 who immigrated to Miami-Dade County, Florida during the 12 months before assessment were analyzed using robust Poisson regression models. We found that 23.8% of participants reported HIV testing post-immigration and 56.7% reported HIV testing pre-immigration. The prevalence ratio for post-immigration HIV testing was higher for participants that had health insurance (adjusted prevalence ratio aPR: 1.70, 95% confidence interval CI: 1.21–2.38) and a regular doctor or healthcare provider after immigration (aPR: 1.43, 95% CI 1.03–2.00), and post-immigration HIV testing was higher for participants that had ever been tested for HIV before immigration (aPR: 2.41, 95% CI 1.68–3.45). Also, the prevalence ratio was lower for those who engaged in condomless sex in the three months prior to immigration (aPR: 0.65, 95% 0.47–0.90). These findings suggest that addressing barriers to healthcare and prevention services for young adult recent Latino immigrants is needed to scale-up HIV testing in this population early in the immigration process.
Latino emerging adults in the United States are at a high risk of HIV and have a low prevalence of HIV testing. This study examined the association between self-efficacy for HIV testing, distress ...tolerance and lifetime history of HIV testing, and tested the moderating effect of distress tolerance and sexual risk behaviors on the association between self-efficacy and lifetime history of HIV testing. Data were collected from a cross-sectional sample of 157 Latino emerging adults aged 18-25 using an online survey and were analyzed using hierarchical logistic regression and moderation analyses. We found that 62.8% of those engaging in sexual risk behaviors had ever been tested for HIV. Participants that reported higher levels of self-efficacy (aOR=3.49, 95%CI: 1.78-6.83) were more likely to have ever been tested for HIV in their lifetime. There was a statistically significant three-way interaction among self-efficacy for HIV testing, distress tolerance and sexual risk behaviors (b=2.76, 95%CI: .52, 5.00, p=.016). This interaction suggests that among those that reported any sexual risk behaviors, higher levels of self-efficacy were associated with lifetime history of HIV testing only at higher levels of distress tolerance. Further research is warranted to determine how self-efficacy and distress tolerance work together among high-risk groups to promote HIV testing.
To reduce disparities in HIV care outcomes among Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) immigrants living with HIV in the U.S., it is necessary to identify factors influencing HIV care in this ...population. A systematic review that provides a comprehensive understanding of factors influencing retention in HIV care and viral suppression among LAC immigrants living with HIV in the U.S. is lacking. This systematic review used the Immigrant Health Services Utilization theoretical framework to provide an understanding of these factors.
We searched for peer-reviewed publications in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and ASSIA, from January 1996 to June 2020.
A total of 17 qualitative (n = 10) and quantitative (n = 7) studies were included in the review. The most commonly reported general and immigrant-specific factors appearing in studies were undocumented immigration status, HIV stigma, homophobia, cultural norms, values and beliefs, family and social support, language barriers, structure, complexity and quality of the U.S. healthcare delivery system, and patient-provider relationship.
These findings highlight the importance of considering immigrant-specific factors along with general factors to improve the provision of HIV care services and HIV care outcomes among LAC immigrant populations.
PDF
