Maintaining Pre-school Children's Health and Wellbeing in the UK: a Qualitative Study of the Views of Migrant Parents

Overview

Journal J Public Health (Oxf)

Publisher Oxford University Press

Specialty Public Health

Date 2016 Sep 4

PMID 27591301

Citations 9

Authors

L J Condon

S McClean

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: There is evidence that key health behaviours of people who migrate deteriorate over time, which has a consequent impact upon the health of dependent children. As health in the early years sets the course for lifelong health, it is important to explore parents' views on maintaining children's health following migration.

Methods: Five focus groups were held with parents of preschool children who had migrated to the UK within the last 10 years (n = 28). Parents originated from Romania, Poland, Somalia and Pakistan, with one group of Roma Gypsy parents. Data collection took place in January to March 2015.

Results: All groups, apart from the Roma, perceived barriers to maintaining optimal health and well-being for their preschool children following migration to the UK. Eastern European parents experienced difficulties in ensuring family financial security, while parents from more established communities focused on barriers to children's exercise, play and nutrition.

Conclusions: This study highlights aspects of public health where migrants and their children can experience adverse effects in the UK. These findings have implications for policymakers, commissioners and providers of health services who aim to promote good health among preschool children.

Citing Articles

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The perceptions of general practice among Central and Eastern Europeans in the United Kingdom: A systematic scoping review.

Poppleton A, Howells K, Adeyemi I, Chew-Graham C, Dikomitis L, Sanders C Health Expect. 2022; 25(5):2107-2123.

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'They Are Kids, Let Them Eat': A Qualitative Investigation into the Parental Beliefs and Practices of Providing a Healthy Diet for Young Children among a Culturally Diverse and Deprived Population in the UK.

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The Meaning of Physical Activity: A Qualitative Study on the Perspective of South American Immigrant Parents.

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'Differences between the earth and the sky': migrant parents' experiences of child health services for pre-school children in the UK.

Condon L, McClean S, McRae L Prim Health Care Res Dev. 2020; 21:e29.

PMID: 32799953 PMC: 7443772. DOI: 10.1017/S1463423620000213.

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