RESUMO

In Mexico, tattooed migrants face discrimination and are at high-risk of incarceration, thus, we assessed whether receiving laser tattoo removal affected the likelihood of incarceration. In 2015-2016, 89 adults ages ≥ 18 years with visible tattoos were recruited at a free-clinic to receive laser tattoo removal or assigned to the wait-list; all completed baseline and 6-month questionnaires. Overall, 97.8% of participants ever migrated to the USA. In multivariate analyses restricted to migrants (n = 87), those receiving laser tattoo removal [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) 0.27, 95% CI 0.07-0.89] and possessing a Mexican Voting card (AOR 0.14; 95% CI 0.03-0.58) were significantly less likely than wait-list participants to be incarcerated at 6-months. Previously incarcerated participants were significantly more likely to be incarcerated at follow-up. Tattoo removal may reduce incarceration among Mexican migrants. Future studies can assess other health and social benefits of tattoo removal for migrants/deportees returning to Mexico.

Assuntos

Terapia com Luz de Baixa Intensidade/estatística & dados numéricos , Americanos Mexicanos/estatística & dados numéricos , Prisioneiros/estatística & dados numéricos , Tatuagem/estatística & dados numéricos , Migrantes/estatística & dados numéricos , Adulto , Fatores Etários , Feminino , Humanos , Relações Interpessoais , Lasers de Estado Sólido , Masculino , México/etnologia , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Fatores Sexuais , Fatores Socioeconômicos , Fatores de Tempo , Estados Unidos/epidemiologia , Listas de Espera

RESUMO

CONTEXT: Physical, sexual, and emotional abuse in childhood-adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)-are associated with poor mental and physical health. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of ACEs and their relationship to depression among Latino migrants in Mexico, which has not been previously examined. METHODS: A total of 110 Latinos aged 18 years and older residing in Tijuana, Mexico, completed interviewer-administered questionnaires, including the ACE scale (range = 0 to 10 items), at baseline in 2015. We studied the prevalence of ACEs (score on the ACE scale) and the presence of depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9). Multivariate logistic regression models were used to estimate the association between the ACE score and depressive symptoms. RESULTS: Overall, 82% of participants were men, and 82% reported being deported from the US. At least 1 ACE was reported by 64% of participants, and 33% reported 3 or more ACEs. Those who reported ever being incarcerated were significantly more likely to have 3 or more ACEs compared with no ACEs (56% vs 28%; p = 0.039). Symptoms of mild, moderate, or severe depression were identified in 14% of participants. In multivariate analyses, for each additional ACE item reported, participants were significantly more likely to meet criteria for depressive symptoms (adjusted odds ratio = 1.42; 95% confidence interval = 1.13-1.78; p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Among Latino migrants residing in the US-Mexico border region, ACEs were pervasive and associated with depression symptoms. Programs and policies targeting migrants in this region should consider addressing both ACEs and depression.

Assuntos

Experiências Adversas da Infância/estatística & dados numéricos , Depressão/epidemiologia , Migrantes/estatística & dados numéricos , Adulto , Sobreviventes Adultos de Maus-Tratos Infantis/estatística & dados numéricos , Fatores Etários , Criança , Maus-Tratos Infantis/estatística & dados numéricos , Feminino , Nível de Saúde , Humanos , Masculino , Saúde Mental , México/epidemiologia , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Índice de Gravidade de Doença , Fatores Sexuais , Fatores Socioeconômicos

RESUMO

Little is known about depression among structurally vulnerable groups living in Tijuana (e.g., migrants, deportees, substance users, sex workers, homeless) who may be at high risk for poor mental health. This study investigates the prevalence and correlates of depressive symptoms among vulnerable patients receiving services at a free clinic in Tijuana, Mexico. A convenience sample of 584 adult Mexican patients completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire in English or Spanish that included the 8-item NIH PROMIS depression short form and measures of individual, social, and structural factors affecting health. The prevalence of clinically significant depressive symptoms in our sample was 55%. In the multivariate analysis, female gender, poor/fair self-rated health, recent illicit drug use (past six months), feeling rejected (past six months), history of forced sex, and history of violence were independently associated with increased odds of experiencing depressive symptoms. When stratified by gender, we found important differences in significant factors, including recent illicit drug use in men and deportation in women. Among study participants, prevalence of depressive symptoms exceeds prevalence rates reported elsewhere in the U.S.-Mexico border region. These findings suggest that public health efforts to support mental health services in the border region are needed.