The Effect of Ihapim Program on Health Perceptions and Health Responsibilities of Immigrant Men: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background Health promotion interventions for immigrant health are generally directed toward women and youth. There is no program specific to migrant male in the global and national literature to protect, improve and promote their health. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of the Increasing Health Awareness of Immigrant Men (IHAPIM) program on health perceptions, health responsibilities, perceived stress level, attitudes toward utilizing health care services and the types of coping strategies of immigrant male. Methods Researchers applied the short-term IHAPIM program experimental group for 5 weeks. This study was held in the two districts where predominantly immigrants live. The immigrant male's health perceptions, health responsibilities, perceived stress level, attitudes toward utilizing health care services and the types of coping strategies measured before and after 3 months of the IHAPIM program was performed. Results The study results showed that the levels of health perceptions, health responsibilities and the types of coping strategies of immigrant male were significantly different between the two study groups. Conclusions At the end of the study, the experimental group showed improvement in measures of the health perceptions, health responsibilities, attitudes toward utilizing health care services, the types of coping strategies and perceived stress level of male decreased. Nursing interventions specific to immigrant male and sensitive to their language have led to positive changes in the health variables of immigrant male.