Abstract: Feasibility Study of a Cell Phone Intervention to Promote Mental Health Among Deported Mexican Migrants (Society for Prevention Research 25th Annual Meeting)

199 Feasibility Study of a Cell Phone Intervention to Promote Mental Health Among Deported Mexican Migrants

Schedule:
Wednesday, May 31, 2017
Columbia A/B (Hyatt Regency Washington, Washington, DC)
* noted as presenting author
Ietza Bojorquez, PhD, Professor, El Colegio de la Frontera Norte, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
Rosa M Aguilera-Guzman, M Sc, Researcher, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatria Ramon de la Fuente Muñiz, Mexico, Mexico
Adrian Aguilera, PhD, Professor, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
Silvia Mejia, PhD, Director, Department of Poulation Health, El Colegio de la Frontera Norte, Tijuana, BC, Mexico
INTRODUCTION: Deportations of Mexican migrants who had been living in the United States for extended periods of time increased during the past decade. As an event of non-willed migration, deportation is a stressful event that can potentially affect the mental health of those deported. However, the mental health needs of deportees are rarely considered in Mexican health policies, and resources to provide mental health care to this population are scarce. Mobile health interventions that make use of widely available technologies such as cell phones have been recommended as a way to increase the reach of health services in lower and middle income countries. Cell phone-based interventions for mental health have been proved to be effective among other mobile, underserved populations. METHODS: We conducted a feasibility study of a cell phone-based intervention to promote the mental health of recently deported Mexican migrants. Participants (n=50) were recruited at the Mexico-United States border as they entered Mexico after being returned to the country by the United States authorities. A prepay cell phone was given to each participant, to which follow-up calls were made at 7, 14, 30, 60 and 90 days after deportation. During the call, a brief mental health promotion intervention was delivered. As indicators of feasibility, we considered retention, recruitment and participation rates, and assessed acceptability through qualitative analysis of interviews with participants. RESULTS: The 90-day retention rate was 42%, and the intervention was perceived as useful by all participants. In this presentation, we discuss logistic issues, and make recommendations for a future protocol to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention.