The Oral Health of Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Canada: A Mixed Methods Study Protocol

Mary Ellen Macdonald, Mark T. Keboa, Nazik M. Nurelhuda, Herenia P. Lawrence, Franco Carnevale, Mary McNally, Sonica Singhal, Khady Ka and Belinda Nicolau
Additional contact information
Mary Ellen Macdonald: Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, 500-2001 McGill College, Montréal, QC H3A 1G1, Canada
Mark T. Keboa: Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, 500-2001 McGill College, Montréal, QC H3A 1G1, Canada
Nazik M. Nurelhuda: Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, 124 Edward St, Toronto, ON M5G 1G6, Canada
Herenia P. Lawrence: Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, 124 Edward St, Toronto, ON M5G 1G6, Canada
Franco Carnevale: Ingram School of Nursing, McGill University, 680 Sherbrooke West 1800, Montréal, QC H3A 2M7, Canada
Mary McNally: Faculty of Dentistry, Dalhousie University, 5981 University Avenue, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
Sonica Singhal: Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, 124 Edward St, Toronto, ON M5G 1G6, Canada
Khady Ka: Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, 500-2001 McGill College, Montréal, QC H3A 1G1, Canada
Belinda Nicolau: Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, 500-2001 McGill College, Montréal, QC H3A 1G1, Canada

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 4, 1-12

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.

Keywords: refugees; migrants; oral health; mixed methods design; health policy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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