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Biomedical subjects

Donelle M Barnes

Publications and source records attributed to Donelle M Barnes.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

Community social support for Cuban refugees in Texas.

Social support has been linked to positive health outcomes for many populations across multiple health issues. The interactional approach defines social support as a complex, transactional process between the person and his or her social environment. Being part of a community enhances the likelihood of social bonding, leading to increased perceived support. In this study, the authors describe recently arrived adult Cuban refugees' perceptions of community-level support in Texas. Practical and emotional support needs included jobs and companionship away from everyday problems. The two major sources of practical support were resettlement agencies and other Cubans. The two major sources of emotional support were other Cubans and English-speaking friends. There were no local Cuban clubs or associations where Cubans could meet. Besides receiving support, many Cubans were also supporting other Cubans locally and in Cuba, and some experienced discrimination.

Acculturation↗
PubMed2005

Refugees' perceptions of healthy behaviors.

This descriptive study explored refugees' knowledge and perceptions of nutrition, physical activity and smoking behaviors using the Health Promotion and Transtheoretical Models. A one-time interview used both closed- and open-ended questions. The sample included 31 adults from Bosnia, Iran, and Cuba. Refugees had some knowledge of a healthy diet and physical activity, and were aware of both benefits and barriers for health behaviors. They had a realistic perception of their weight (55% overweight), and none thought obesity was a positive characteristic. Changes in diet, physical activity and smoking since arrival in the US have been positive for some and negative for others. For all categories discussed, refugees were in the pre-contemplation stage of change. There is a need to study refugees' health behaviors over time after arrival. Health behavior interventions must be specific to ethnicity in order to accurately document progress and to be culturally appropriate.

Acculturation↗
PubMed2004

Health risk and promotion behaviors in refugee populations.

Refugees resettling in the U.S. are generally low-income and underserved by health promotion interventions. To begin to address refugee health promotion issues, this study describes health behaviors of newly arrived (less than 90 days) adult refugees in the U.S. The methods used were retrospective description of clients from one refugee health screening program. The sample consisted of adult refugees (n=591), men and women, from Cuba, Bosnia, Vietnam, Kosovo, Iran, Iraq, and other countries. Rates of overweight were highest among Bosnians and lowest among Vietnamese. Cubans reported the most physical activity and Kosovars the least. Rates of smoking were highest among Bosnians and lowest among Cubans. Older refugees were more overweight and reported less physical activity and more smoking than younger adults. In some cases, different refugee groups have similar health promotion needs, while in others needs differ. This baseline descriptive data supports calls for further health promotion research and interventions in refugee populations.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Refugee women's reproductive health in early resettlement.

OBJECTIVE: To describe reproductive health needs and screening rates for breast and cervical cancer for newly arrived (less than 90 days) refugee women in the United States. DESIGN: A retrospective study of existing medical charts from 1996 to 2000. SETTING: Refugee health screening clinic, central Texas. PATIENTS: Refugee women (n = 283) newly arrived in the United States from Cuba (31.1%), Bosnia (26.1%), Vietnam (24.7%), and other countries (18.0%); age range = 18 to 74 years, mean age = 34.4 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Frequency of reproductive health problems and breast and cervical cancer screening rates. RESULTS: Twenty-five percent of women in the sample were pregnant or had a reproductive health problem. A significant percentage older than 40 (86%) had never had a mammogram when compared to American women of the same age (33%). Only 24% reported having had a Pap test within the previous 3 years. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of not receiving adequate reproductive health care is higher among newly arrived refugee women compared to nonrefugee women in the United States. For refugee women to enjoy optimum health, their individual needs and health care system issues must be addressed.

Adult↗