Ethnicity Matters in Perceived Impacts and Information Sources of COVID-19 Among Mothers with Young Children in Australia: a Cross-sectional Study

Overview

Journal BMJ Open

Specialty General Medicine

Date 2021 Nov 26

PMID 34824114

Citations 6

Authors

Li Ming Wen

Huilan Xu

Danielle Jawad

Limin Buchanan

Chris Rissel

Philayrath Phongsavan

Louise A Baur

Sarah Taki

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate perceived impacts, ways of communication with professionals and information sources related to COVID-19, and explore whether these impacts or information sources were associated with ethnicity that is, language spoken at home.

Design: A cross-sectional study.

Setting: Sydney, Australia during the period from March to October 2020.

Participants: Mothers of young children participating in an existing trial.

Outcome Measures: Mothers were asked to respond to a set of survey questions related to COVID-19 via telephone. The questions included a mental health scale, and how they communicated with health professionals and their information sources related to COVID-19 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Results: Of 537 mothers who completed the survey (81% response rate), 45% reported they spoke a language other than English at home. Overall, 136 (26%) reported experiencing mental distress. 234 (44%) reported that COVID-19 affected the way they receive and communicate health-related information with health professionals, especially for those from non-English speaking backgrounds with an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.58 (95% CI 1.10 to 2.27). They were less likely to use a face-to-face service (AOR 0.55, 95% CI 0.37 to 0.80) and more likely to use social media (AOR 2.11, 95% CI 1.40 to 3.17) for health-related information. Regarding sources of COVID-19-related information, mothers from non-English-speaking backgrounds were more likely to rely on family members (AOR 1.49, 95% CI 1.01 to 2.19) and social media (AOR 3.34, 95% CI 2.05 to 5.43).

Conclusions: COVID-19 has significantly impacted mothers with young children in regard to their mental health, means of communication with health professionals and sources of health information. Mothers from non-English-speaking communities were less likely to use a face-to-face service, and more likely to seek information from family members and social media. Appropriate health support for non-English-speaking community needs to take these factors into account.

Trial Registration Number: ANZCTR:12618001571268.they.

Citing Articles

Barriers and enablers to accessing child health resources and services: Findings from qualitative interviews with Arabic and Mongolian immigrant mothers in Australia.

Jawad D, Wen L, Rissel C, Baur L, Mihrshahi S, Taki S Womens Health (Lond). 2024; 20:17455057241242674.

PMID: 38561970 PMC: 10989050. DOI: 10.1177/17455057241242674.

Communication and engagement of community members from ethnic minorities during COVID-19: a scoping review.

Seale H, Harris-Roxas B, Mustafa K, McDermid P BMJ Open. 2023; 13(6):e069552.

PMID: 37344110 PMC: 10314511. DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-069552.

Evaluation of Willingness to Accept COVID-19 Vaccine and Willingness to Pay among Pakistani Parents for Their Children Aged 5 to 11 Years: Findings and Implications.

Hayat K, Umer M, Mujtaba H, Kawish A, Azam Tahir M, Khan F Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2023; 109(1):69-75.

PMID: 37188339 PMC: 10323998. DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.22-0363.

Twelve-month effectiveness of telephone and SMS support to mothers with children aged 2 years in reducing children's BMI: a randomized controlled trial.

Wen L, Xu H, Phongsavan P, Rissel C, Hayes A, Taki S Int J Obes (Lond). 2023; 47(9):791-798.

PMID: 37087468 PMC: 10121422. DOI: 10.1038/s41366-023-01311-7.

Demographic Predictors of Mothers' Willingness to Vaccinate Young Children Against COVID-19, Get Tested and Isolate: A Cross-Sectional Survey Before and During the Greater Sydney Lockdown 2021, Australia.

Wen L, Xu H, Rissel C, Kerr E, Buchanan L, Taki S Front Public Health. 2022; 10:904495.

PMID: 35712281 PMC: 9197072. DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.904495.

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