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Eick F, Vallersnes OM, Fjeld HE, Sørbye IK, Valberg M, Dahl C. Perinatal mortality among pregnant undocumented migrants in Norway 1999-2020: A register-based population study. Soc Sci Med 2024; 353:117055. [PMID: 38897075 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.117055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Irregular legal status is a recognized health risk factor in the context of migration. However, undocumented migrants are rarely included in health surveys and register studies. Adverse perinatal outcomes are especially important because they have long-term consequences and societal risk factors are modifiable. In this study, we compare perinatal outcomes in undocumented migrants to foreign-born and Norwegian-born residents, using a population-based register. METHODS We included women 18-49 years old giving birth to singletons as registered in the Medical Birth Registry of Norway from 1999 to 2020. Women were categorized as 'undocumented migrants' (without an identity number), 'documented migrants' (with an identity number and born abroad), and 'non-migrants' (with an identity number and born in Norway). The main outcome was perinatal mortality, i.e., death of a foetus ≥ gestational week 22, or neonate up to seven days after birth. We used log-binominal regression to estimate the association between legal status and perinatal mortality, adjusting for several maternal pre-gestational and gestational factors. Direct standardization was used to adjust for maternal region of origin. ETHICAL APPROVAL Regional Ethical Committee (REK South East, case number 68329). RESULTS We retrieved information on 5856 undocumented migrant women who gave birth during the study period representing 0.5% of the 1 247 537 births in Norway. Undocumented migrants had a relative risk of 6.17 (95% confidence interval 5.29 ̶7.20) of perinatal mortality compared to non-migrants and a relative risk of 4.17 (95% confidence interval 3.51 ̶4.93) compared to documented migrants. Adjusting for maternal region of origin attenuated the results slightly. CONCLUSION Being undocumented is strongly associated with perinatal mortality in the offspring. Disparities were not explained by maternal origin or maternal health factors, indicating that social determinants of health through delays in receiving adequate care and factors negatively influencing gestational length may be of importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frode Eick
- Department of Community Medicine and Global Health, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Postboks 1130 Blindern, 0318, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Odd Martin Vallersnes
- Department of General Practice, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Norway; Oslo Accident and Emergency Outpatient Clinic, Department of Emergency General Practice, City of Oslo Health Agency, Norway
| | - Heidi E Fjeld
- Department of Community Medicine and Global Health, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Postboks 1130 Blindern, 0318, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ingvil K Sørbye
- Department of Obstetrics, Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Oslo University Hospital, Norway
| | - Morten Valberg
- Department of Community Medicine and Global Health, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Postboks 1130 Blindern, 0318, Oslo, Norway; Oslo Centre for Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Oslo University Hospital, Norway
| | - Cecilie Dahl
- Department of Public Health Science, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Norway
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Tsetseri MN, Keene DJ, Silman AJ, Dakin SG. Exploring the burden, prevalence and associated factors of chronic musculoskeletal pain in migrants from North Africa and Middle East living in Europe: a scoping review. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:769. [PMID: 38475746 PMCID: PMC10935970 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-17542-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immigrants are exposed to numerous risk factors that may contribute to the development of chronic musculoskeletal pain. Recent political and environmental crises in North Africa and the Middle East have led to an increase in immigration to Europe that has challenged the healthcare system and especially the management of chronic conditions. OBJECTIVE The aims of this scoping review are to investigate the burden, prevalence, and associated factors of chronic musculoskeletal pain in immigrants from North Africa and the Middle East in Europe during the last decade. The intentions of the review are to inform healthcare policymakers, to identify gaps in the literature, and aid the planning of future research. DESIGN Online databases Medline, Embase, PubMed and Web of Science were used to identify epidemiological studies published from2012-2022 examining chronic pain in populations from North Africa and the Middle East with a migration background residing in Europe. RESULTS In total eleven studies were identified conducted in Norway (n = 3), Denmark (n = 3), Germany (n = 1), Austria (n = 1), Sweden (n = 1), and Switzerland (n = 1). Among the identified studies, eight studies were cross-sectional (n = 8), two were prospective cohort studies (n = 2) and one was a retrospective cohort study (n = 1). Data suggested that chronic pain is more prevalent, more widespread, and more severe in people with than without a migration background. Furthermore, immigrants who have resided in the destination country for a longer period experience a higher prevalence of chronic pain compared to those in the early phases of migration. The following factors were found to be associated with chronic pain in this population: female gender, lower education, financial hardship, being underweight or obese, time in transit during migration, experience of trauma, immigration status, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. CONCLUSION Several gaps in the literature were identified. Research is limited in terms of quantity and quality, does not reflect actual immigration trends, and does not account for immigration factors. Prospective cohort studies with long follow-ups would aid in improving prevention and management of chronic pain in populations with a migration background. In particular, they should reflect actual immigration trajectories, account for immigration factors, and have valid comparison groups in the countries of origin, transit and destination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria-Nefeli Tsetseri
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, B4495, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LD, UK.
| | - David J Keene
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, B4495, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LD, UK
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Alan J Silman
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, B4495, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LD, UK
| | - Stephanie G Dakin
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, B4495, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LD, UK
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Ekezie W, Martin CA, Baggaley RF, Teece L, Nazareth J, Pan D, Sze S, Bryant L, Woolf K, Gray LJ, Khunti K, Pareek M. Association between ethnicity and migration status with the prevalence of single and multiple long-term conditions in UK healthcare workers. BMC Med 2023; 21:433. [PMID: 38031115 PMCID: PMC10688453 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-023-03109-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Healthcare workers' (HCW) well-being has a direct effect on patient care. However, little is known about the prevalence and patterns of long-term medical conditions in HCWs, especially those from ethnic minorities. This study evaluated the burden of multiple long-term conditions (MLTCs), i.e. the presence of two or more single long-term conditions (LTCs), among HCWs in the United Kingdom (UK) and variation by ethnicity and migration status. METHODS We used baseline data from the UK-REACH cohort study collected December 2020-March 2021. We used multivariable logistic regression, adjusting for demographic, occupational and lifestyle factors to examine the relationship between self-reported LTCs/MLTCs and ethnicity, migration status and time since migration to the UK. RESULTS Of 12,100 included HCWs, with a median age of 45 years (IQR: 34-54), 27% were overseas-born, and 30% were from non-White ethnic groups (19% Asian, 4% Black, 4% Mixed, 2% Other). The most common self-reported LTCs were anxiety (14.9%), asthma (12.2%), depression (10.7%), hypertension (8.7%) and diabetes (4.0%). Mental health conditions were more prevalent among UK-born than overseas-born HCWs for all ethnic groups (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) using White UK-born as the reference group each time: White overseas-born 0.77, 95%CI 0.66-0.95 for anxiety). Diabetes and hypertension were more common among Asian (e.g. Asian overseas, diabetes aOR 2.97, 95%CI 2.30-3.83) and Black (e.g. Black UK-born, hypertension aOR 1.77, 95%CI 1.05-2.99) groups than White UK-born. After adjustment for age, sex and deprivation, the odds of reporting MLTCs were lower in most ethnic minority groups and lowest for those born overseas, compared to White UK-born (e.g. White overseas-born, aOR 0.68, 95%CI 0.55-0.83; Asian overseas-born aOR 0.75, 95%CI 0.62-0.90; Black overseas-born aOR 0.52, 95%CI 0.36-0.74). The odds of MLTCs in overseas-born HCWs were equivalent to the UK-born population in those who had settled in the UK for ≥ 20 years (aOR 1.14, 95%CI 0.94-1.37). CONCLUSIONS Among UK HCWs, the prevalence of common LTCs and odds of reporting MLTCs varied by ethnicity and migrant status. The lower odds of MLTCs in migrant HCWs reverted to the odds of MLTCs in UK-born HCWs over time. Further research on this population should include longitudinal studies with linkage to healthcare records. Interventions should be co-developed with HCWs from different ethnic and migrant groups focussed upon patterns of conditions prevalent in specific HCW subgroups to reduce the overall burden of LTCs/MLTCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Winifred Ekezie
- Diabetes Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
- Centre for Ethnic Health Research, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
- National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), Applied Research Collaboration East Midlands (ARC EM), Leicester, UK
- School of Social Sciences and Humanities, Aston University, Birmingham, UK
| | - Christopher A Martin
- Department of Infection and HIV Medicine, University Hospitals of Leicester, NHS Trust, Leicester, UK
- Department of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
- NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
- Development Centre for Population Health, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Rebecca F Baggaley
- NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
- Development Centre for Population Health, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
- Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Lucy Teece
- Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Joshua Nazareth
- Department of Infection and HIV Medicine, University Hospitals of Leicester, NHS Trust, Leicester, UK
- Department of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
- NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
- Development Centre for Population Health, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Daniel Pan
- Department of Infection and HIV Medicine, University Hospitals of Leicester, NHS Trust, Leicester, UK
- Department of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
- NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
- Development Centre for Population Health, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
- Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, Oxford Big Data Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Shirley Sze
- Development Centre for Population Health, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
- Cardiovascular Research Centre, University of Leicester, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, UK
| | - Luke Bryant
- Department of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
- NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | | | - Laura J Gray
- NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
- Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Kamlesh Khunti
- Diabetes Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
- Centre for Ethnic Health Research, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
- National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), Applied Research Collaboration East Midlands (ARC EM), Leicester, UK
| | - Manish Pareek
- National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), Applied Research Collaboration East Midlands (ARC EM), Leicester, UK.
- Department of Infection and HIV Medicine, University Hospitals of Leicester, NHS Trust, Leicester, UK.
- Department of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.
- NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.
- Development Centre for Population Health, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.
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Jang SY, Oksuzyan A, Myrskylä M, van Lenthe FJ, Loi S. Healthy immigrants, unhealthy ageing? Analysis of health decline among older migrants and natives across European countries. SSM Popul Health 2023; 23:101478. [PMID: 37635989 PMCID: PMC10448331 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2023.101478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The probability of having multiple chronic conditions simultaneously, or multimorbidity, tends to increase with age. Immigrants face a particularly high risk of unhealthy ageing. This study investigates the immigrant-native disparities in the speed of age-related chronic disease accumulation, focusing on the number of chronic health conditions; and considers the heterogeneity of this trajectory within immigrant populations by origin and receiving country. We use data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe from 2004 to 2020 on adults aged 50 to 79 from 28 European countries and employ both cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses. For longitudinal panel analyses, we use fixed-effects regression models to account for the unobserved heterogeneity related to individual characteristics including migration background. Our results indicate that immigrants report a higher number of chronic conditions at all ages relative to their native-born peers, but also that the immigrant-native differential in the number of chronic conditions decreases from age 65 onwards. When considering differences by origin country, we find that the speed of chronic disease accumulation is slower among immigrants from the Americas and the Asia and Oceania country groups than it is among natives. When looking at differences by receiving country group, we observe that the speed of accumulating chronic diseases is slower among immigrants in Eastern Europe than among natives, particularly at older ages. Our findings suggest that age-related trajectories of health vary substantially among immigrant populations by origin and destination country, which underscore that individual migration histories play a persistent role in shaping the health of ageing immigrant populations throughout the life course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su Yeon Jang
- Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Anna Oksuzyan
- Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany
- School of Public Health, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Mikko Myrskylä
- Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany
- Centre for Social Data Science and Population Research Unit, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Max Planck – University of Helsinki Center for Social Inequalities in Population Health, Rostock, Germany and Helsinki, Finland
| | - Frank J. van Lenthe
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Silvia Loi
- Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany
- Max Planck – University of Helsinki Center for Social Inequalities in Population Health, Rostock, Germany and Helsinki, Finland
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Mæland KS, Morken NH, Schytt E, Aasheim V, Nilsen RM. Risk of Subsequent Preeclampsia by Maternal Country of Birth: A Norwegian Population-Based Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:4109. [PMID: 36901120 PMCID: PMC10001690 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20054109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
In this nationwide population-based study, we investigated the associations of preeclampsia in the first pregnancy with the risk of preeclampsia in the second pregnancy, by maternal country of birth using data from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway and Statistics Norway (1990-2016). The study population included 101,066 immigrant and 544,071 non-immigrant women. Maternal country of birth was categorized according to the seven super-regions of the Global Burden of Disease study (GBD). The associations between preeclampsia in the first pregnancy with preeclampsia in the second pregnancy were estimated using log-binomial regression models, using no preeclampsia in the first pregnancy as the reference. The associations were reported as adjusted risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI), adjusted for chronic hypertension, year of first childbirth, and maternal age at first birth. Compared to those without preeclampsia in the first pregnancy, women with preeclampsia in the first pregnancy were associated with a considerably increased risk of preeclampsia in the second pregnancy in both immigrant (n = 250; 13.4% vs. 1.0%; adjusted RR 12.9 [95% CI: 11.2, 14.9]) and non-immigrant women (n = 2876; 14.6% vs. 1.5%; adjusted RR 9.5 [95% CI: 9.1, 10.0]). Immigrant women from Latin America and the Caribbean appeared to have the highest adjusted RR, followed by immigrant women from North Africa and the Middle East. A likelihood ratio test showed that the variation in adjusted RR across all immigrant and non-immigrant groups was statistically significant (p = 0.006). Our results suggest that the association between preeclampsia in the first pregnancy and preeclampsia in the second pregnancy might be increased in some groups of immigrant women compared with non-immigrant women in Norway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina S. Mæland
- Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, 5063 Bergen, Norway
| | - Nils-Halvdan Morken
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, 5007 Bergen, Norway
- Center for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, 0213 Oslo, Norway
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Haukeland, University Hospital Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway
| | - Erica Schytt
- Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, 5063 Bergen, Norway
- Center for Clinical Research Dalarna, Uppsala University, 791 82 Falun, Sweden
| | - Vigdis Aasheim
- Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, 5063 Bergen, Norway
| | - Roy M. Nilsen
- Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, 5063 Bergen, Norway
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Willén L, Berglund A, Bergström S, Isaksson J, Bergqvist M, Wagenius G, Lambe M. Patterns of care and outcomes in immigrants with non-small cell lung cancer. A population-based study (Sweden). PLoS One 2022; 17:e0278706. [PMID: 36520832 PMCID: PMC9754210 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0278706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES While studies have found lower cancer risks and better cancer survival in immigrant populations, it is debated whether cancer care is offered on equal terms to all residents regardless of background. Our aim was to study patterns of care and outcomes in immigrants in a country with a tax-financed universal health care system. MATERIAL AND METHODS We used a population-based database to compare clinical presentation, management and mortality between Swedish-born and immigrant patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Analyses were adjusted for potential confounders. RESULTS We identified 40,075 patients diagnosed with NSCLC of which 84% were born in Sweden, 7% in Nordic and 9% in Non-Nordic countries. Non-Nordic immigrants were to a higher extent male, smokers, younger at diagnosis, had a better performance status and a higher educational level. No differences were seen regarding comorbidity burden or stage at diagnosis. Non-Nordic immigrants more often underwent positron emission tomography (PET) (aHR 1.32; 95% CI 1.19-1.45) and were more often discussed in a multidisciplinary team setting (aHR 1.30; 95% CI 1.17-1.44). There were no differences in treatment modalities following adjustment for age, with the exception of concurrent chemoradiotherapy in stage IIIA disease which was more common in Non-Nordic immigrants (aOR 1.34; 95% CI 1.03-1.74). Both overall and cause specific survival in non-metastatic disease were higher among Non-Nordic immigrants. Overall mortality in stage I-II: HR 0.81; 95% CI 0.73-0.90 and stage IIIA: HR 0.75; 95% CI 0.65-0.86. Following full adjustments, cause-specific mortality in stage I-II was aHR 0.86, 95% CI 0.75-0.98. CONCLUSION Taken together, only minor differences in management and outcomes were observed between Swedish-born and immigrant patients. We conclude that lung cancer care is offered on equal terms. If anything, outcomes were better in Non-Nordic immigrants with early stage NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Willén
- Center for Research and Development, Uppsala University/Region Gävleborg, Gävle, Sweden
- Department of Radiation Sciences, Oncology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Department of Oncology, Gävle Hospital, Gävle, Sweden
| | | | - Stefan Bergström
- Center for Research and Development, Uppsala University/Region Gävleborg, Gävle, Sweden
- Department of Radiation Sciences, Oncology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Department of Oncology, Gävle Hospital, Gävle, Sweden
| | - Johan Isaksson
- Center for Research and Development, Uppsala University/Region Gävleborg, Gävle, Sweden
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Gävle Hospital, Gävle, Sweden
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Michael Bergqvist
- Department of Radiation Sciences, Oncology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Section of Oncology, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Gunnar Wagenius
- Division of Oncology, Department of Clinical Science Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mats Lambe
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Regional Cancer Center Central Sweden, Uppsala, Sweden
- * E-mail:
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Kjøllesdal MKR, Gerwing J, Indesth T. Health risks among long-term immigrants in Norway with poor Norwegian language proficiency. Scand J Public Health 2022:14034948221085399. [PMID: 35548943 DOI: 10.1177/14034948221085399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Poor health among immigrants has been associated with longer duration of residence in the host country, poor host language proficiency and low education. However, the interplay among these factors is under-studied. OBJECTIVE To assess health among immigrants in Norway by combinations of duration of residence, Norwegian language proficiency and education. METHODS In 2015/2016 Statistics Norway carried out two cross-sectional Living Conditions Surveys in the general adult population (N=5703, response rate 59%) and among immigrants from 12 countries, with ⩾2 years of residence (N=3993, response rate 54%). Health outcomes (poor self-reported health, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, obesity, mental health problems, back/neck pain) were assessed with logistic regressions according to combinations of duration of residence, Norwegian language proficiency and education. RESULTS Negative health conditions were more common among immigrants than in the general population, and varied by duration of residence, proficiency in the Norwegian language and education. In age- and sex-adjusted regressions, immigrants had higher odds of all negative health conditions, except hypertension, regardless of their duration of residence, proficiency of the Norwegian language and educational level. Immigrants with a long duration of residence and poor proficiency in the Norwegian language had the highest odds of negative health conditions. CONCLUSIONS Special attention is warranted towards health among immigrants who have lived in Norway the longest without acquiring good Norwegian language proficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marte K R Kjøllesdal
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Health Services Research, Oslo, Norway.,Norwegian University of Lifesciences, Institute of Public Health Science, Ås, Norway
| | - Jennifer Gerwing
- Akershus University Hospital, Health Services Research Unit, Oslo, Norway
| | - Thor Indesth
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Health Services Research, Oslo, Norway
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Helgesson M, Björkenstam E, Filatova S, Rahman SG, Cullen A, Dorner T, Gémes K, Amin R, Mittendorfer-Rutz E. Mental and somatic disorders and the subsequent risk of all-cause and cause-specific mortality in refugees, non-refugee migrants and the Swedish-born youth: a population-based cohort study in Sweden. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e054351. [PMID: 35545376 PMCID: PMC9096569 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-054351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aims were to investigate the associations between specific mental and somatic disorders and subsequent all-cause and cause-specific mortality (suicide, external and other causes) in young refugees and non-refugee migrants compared with Swedish-born individuals of similar age. METHODS In this register-based prospective cohort study, all 1 003 760 individuals (40 305 refugees, 31 687 non-refugee migrants as the exposure groups and the rest as the Swedish-born comparison group), 16-25 years old, residing in Sweden on 31 December 2004 were included. These individuals were followed regarding the outcome of all-cause and cause-specific mortality (suicide and external causes) between 2005 and 2016. The study population was also stratified according to any use of specialised healthcare for mental or somatic diagnoses before baseline (2000-2004). Cox regression models yielding crude and multivariate Hazard Ratios (HR and aHR, respectively) with 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) were used to investigate the afore-mentioned associations. RESULTS A lower proportion of both refugees (12%) and non-refugee migrants (10%) had college/university education compared with the Swedish-born individuals (17%). The proportion of unemployed (>180 days) among refugees (2.3%) and non-refugees (2.9%) was higher than the Swedish born (1.4%). Refugees and non-refugee migrants had about a 20% lower risk of all-cause mortality and external causes of mortality compared with Swedish-born individuals. An even greater reduction in suicide risk (aHR 0.51, 95% CI 0.37 to 0.70, and 0.63, 95% CI 0.49 to 0.82 for non-refugees and refugees, respectively) was found. When restricted to those with a mental or somatic disorder, a lower risk of both general and specific mortality was also found among both refugees and non-refugee migrants compared with Swedish-born individuals. Refugees had, however, equal point estimates of all-cause mortality associated with substance misuse disorder and neoplasms as their Swedish-born peers with these disorders. CONCLUSIONS With few exceptions, young migrants with specific mental and somatic disorders have a mortality advantage compared with their Swedish-born peers with the same disorders. Further research on protective factors is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magnus Helgesson
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Division of Insurance Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Emma Björkenstam
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Division of Insurance Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Svetlana Filatova
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Division of Insurance Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Syed Ghulam Rahman
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Division of Insurance Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Alexis Cullen
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Division of Insurance Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Psychosis Studies, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Thomas Dorner
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Division of Insurance Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Karl-Landsteiner Institute for Health Promotion Research, Sitzenberg-Reidling, Austria
| | - Katalin Gémes
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Division of Insurance Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ridwanul Amin
- Division of Insurance Medicine, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ellenor Mittendorfer-Rutz
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Division of Insurance Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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9
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Debesay J, Nortvedt L, Langhammer B. Social Inequalities and Health among Older Immigrant Women in the Nordic Countries: An Integrative Review. SAGE Open Nurs 2022; 8:23779608221084962. [PMID: 35647290 PMCID: PMC9133866 DOI: 10.1177/23779608221084962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction The Nordic countries have a surprisingly strong relative socioeconomic health
inequality. Immigrants seem to be disproportionately affected due to their
social economic position in the host countries. Healthcare professionals,
including nurses, have a professional obligation to adhere to fairness and
social equity in healthcare. The aim of this review was to identify and
synthesize research on health status and the impact of social inequalities
in older immigrant women in the Nordic countries. Methods We conducted an integrative review guided by the Whittemore and Knafl
integrative review method. We searched multiple research databases using the
keywords immigrant, older, women, socioeconomic inequality, health
inequality, and Nordic countries. The results were limited to research
published between 1990 and 2021. The retrieved articles were screened and
assessed by two independent reviewers. Results Based on the few studies on older immigrant women in the Nordic countries,
the review findings indicate that they fare worse in many health indicators
compared to immigrant men and the majority population. These differences are
related to various health issues, such as anxiety, depression, diabetes,
multimorbidity, sedentary lifestyle, and quality of life. Lower
participation in cancer screening programs is also a distinctive feature
among immigrant women, which could be related to the immigrant women's
help-seeking behavior. Transnational family obligations and responsibilities
locally leave little room for prioritizing self-care, but differing views of
health conditions might also contribute to avoidance of healthcare
services. Conclusion This integrative review shows that there is a paucity of studies on the
impact of social inequalities on the health status of older immigrant women
in the Nordic countries. There is a need for not only research focused on
the experiences of health status and inequality but also larger studies
mapping the connection between older immigrant women's economic and health
status and access to healthcare services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Debesay
- Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway
| | - Line Nortvedt
- Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway
| | - Birgitta Langhammer
- Department of Physical Therapy, OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway
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10
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Marzà-Florensa A, Boateng D, Agyemang C, Beune E, Meeks KAC, Bahendeka S, Levitt N, Klipstein-Grobusch K. Multimorbidity Among Migrant and Non-Migrant Ghanaians: The RODAM Study. Int J Public Health 2022; 66:1604056. [PMID: 35035346 PMCID: PMC8759292 DOI: 10.3389/ijph.2021.1604056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: Multimorbidity is a growing public health concern due to the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases, yet information about multimorbidity in low- and middle-income countries and migrant populations is scarce. We aimed to investigate the distribution and patterns of multimorbidity in rural and urban areas in Ghana and Ghanaian migrants in Europe. Methods: The RODAM cross-sectional study included 4,833 participants. Multimorbidity was defined as presence of multiple non-communicable chronic conditions. Patterns were determined from frequent combination of conditions. Prevalence ratios were estimated by logistic regression. Results: Prevalence of multimorbidity was higher in women and in urban Ghana and Europe. We observed a cardiometabolic pattern in all sites as well as circulatory-musculoskeletal and metabolic-musculoskeletal combinations in Ghana. Multimorbidity prevalence ratios were higher in Europe (men 1.47, 95% CI 1.34-1.59, women 1.18, 1.10-1.26) and urban Ghana (men 1.46, 1.31-1.59, women 1.27, 1.19-1.34). Conclusion: Distribution and patterns of multimorbidity differed by sex and site. With a higher burden of multimorbidity in urban areas, prevention strategies should focus on forestalling its increase in rapidly growing rural areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Marzà-Florensa
- Julius Global Health, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Daniel Boateng
- Julius Global Health, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Charles Agyemang
- Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Erik Beune
- Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Karlijn A C Meeks
- Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Center for Research on Genomics and Global Health, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Silver Bahendeka
- Department of Internal Medicine, Mother Kevin Post Graduate Medical School, Uganda Martyrs University, Nkozi, Uganda
| | - Naomi Levitt
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Kerstin Klipstein-Grobusch
- Julius Global Health, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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11
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Haj-Younes J, Abildsnes E, Kumar B, Diaz E. The road to equitable healthcare: A conceptual model developed from a qualitative study of Syrian refugees in Norway. Soc Sci Med 2021; 292:114540. [PMID: 34763966 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Refugees in high-income countries face barriers to healthcare access even when they have the same rights and entitlements as the host population. Disadvantages in healthcare access contribute to differences in health outcomes and impact acculturation. This study explores perceived changes in health status and experiences with the Norwegian healthcare system of Syrian refugees living in Norway, using a trajectory perspective. METHODS We conducted 15 semi-structured interviews in April 2020 among purposefully recruited adult refugees from Syria resettled in Norway. Interviews were carried out in Arabic and analysed with Systematic Text Condensation using NVivo software. We used Lévesque's access model and Edberg's migration trajectory perspective as theoretical frameworks. A conceptual model was developed - The Migrant Sensitive Access Model - that highlights the factors contributing to a positive versus negative healthcare journey. RESULTS Findings were summarized under three main themes: changes in health and well-being, expectations, and trust. Perceived changes in health status and attributed causes for change were related to the resettlement phase, gender, and were highly informed by pre-migration and migration experiences. The users' perception of the caregiver, communication, and time were identified as key factors in the care-access journey in inspiring trust or distrust in the caregiver. CONCLUSION Syrian refugees in Norway appreciate the Norwegian healthcare system but are impeded in their access to care. Many of the barriers can be bridged during the doctor-patient interaction with a diversity sensitive caregiver. The model we propose gives a comprehensive overview of key areas determining the healthcare experience of this population. The results of this study can be useful to policymakers and healthcare providers when addressing disparities in healthcare access for forced migrants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmin Haj-Younes
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, PO Box 7804, 5020, Bergen, Norway.
| | - Eirik Abildsnes
- Department of Psychosocial Health, University of Agder, PO Box 422, 4604, Kristiansand, Norway
| | - Bernadette Kumar
- Unit for Migration and Health. Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, 0213, Oslo, Norway
| | - Esperanza Diaz
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, PO Box 7804, 5020, Bergen, Norway; Unit for Migration and Health. Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, 0213, Oslo, Norway
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12
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Aro T, Kantele A. Hospital admissions of refugees, asylum seekers and undocumented migrants: Ten-year retrospective study. Travel Med Infect Dis 2021; 44:102186. [PMID: 34688889 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2021.102186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The worldwide population of forcibly displaced people has increased over the past decade, approaching 80 million and encompassing more than 30 million refugees and asylum seekers. Research into refugee and migrant health has remained scarce, however. METHODS To investigate the reasons for hospital admissions of refugees, asylum seekers and undocumented migrants, we collected medical data from Helsinki University Hospital (HUH) records 2010-20. RESULTS The study population consisted of 647 patients originally from 54 different countries, mainly Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan. Among adults, 40.9% of the admissions were related to pregnancy. For minors, the group comprising congenital malformations, deformations, and chromosomal abnormalities accounted for most hospitalizations, followed by diseases of the digestive or nervous system. Every fifth patient (19.3%) was admitted because of an infection: adults mostly for urinary tract infection (16.3%), pneumonia (14.1%), and tuberculosis (9.8%), and minors for acute gastroenteritis (15.2%). Infectious reason was more frequent within two months after immigration than later. CONCLUSIONS Our data reveal a unique admission profile for forced migrants: in addition to infectious diseases, a particularly high rate of obstetric diagnoses was recorded, the two ranking as the most common reasons for hospitalization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuomas Aro
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Finland; Meilahti Infectious Diseases and Vaccine Research Center, MeiVac, Inflammation Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Finland
| | - Anu Kantele
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Finland; Meilahti Infectious Diseases and Vaccine Research Center, MeiVac, Inflammation Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Finland.
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13
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Simard M, Rahme E, Calfat AC, Sirois C. Multimorbidity measures from health administrative data using ICD system codes: A systematic review. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf 2021; 31:1-12. [PMID: 34623723 DOI: 10.1002/pds.5368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We aimed to identify and characterize adult population-based multimorbidity measures using health administrative data and the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes for disease identification. METHODS We performed a narrative systematic review of studies using or describing development or validation of multimorbidity measures. We compared the number of diseases included in the measures, the process of data extraction (case definition) and the validation process. We assessed the methodological robustness using eight criteria, five based on general criteria for indicators (AIRE instrument) and three multimorbidity-specific criteria. RESULTS Twenty-two multimorbidity measures were identified. The number of diseases they included ranged from 5 to 84 (median = 20), with 19 measures including both physical and mental conditions. Diseases were identified using ICD codes extracted from inpatient and outpatient data (18/22) and sometimes including drug claims (10/22). The validation process relied mainly on the capacity of the measures to predict health outcome (5/22), or on the validation of each individual disease against a gold standard (8/22). Six multimorbidity measures met at least six of the eight robustness criteria assessed. CONCLUSION There is significant heterogeneity among the measures used to assess multimorbidity in administrative databases, and about a third are of low to moderate quality. A more consensual approach to the number of diseases or groups of diseases included in multimorbidity measures may improve comparison between regions, and potentially provide better control for multimorbidity-related confounding in studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Simard
- Quebec National Institute of Public Health, Quebec City, Québec, Canada.,Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Elham Rahme
- Department of Medicine, Division of Clinical Epidemiology, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada
| | - Alexandre Campeau Calfat
- Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Caroline Sirois
- Quebec National Institute of Public Health, Quebec City, Québec, Canada.,Faculty of Pharmacy, Laval University, Quebec City, Québec, Canada.,Centre of Excellence on Aging of Quebec, VITAM Research Centre on Sustainable Health, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
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14
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Strømme EM, Igland J, Haj-Younes J, Kumar BN, Fadnes LT, Hasha W, Diaz E. Chronic pain and mental health problems among Syrian refugees: associations, predictors and use of medication over time: a prospective cohort study. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e046454. [PMID: 34548344 PMCID: PMC8458374 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study aims to examine associations, predictors and pharmacological treatment of chronic pain and mental health problems among Syrian refugees in a longitudinal perspective. DESIGN Prospective cohort study. SETTING We collected survey data among Syrian refugees in Lebanon granted resettlement to Norway (self-administered questionnaires) and at follow-up 1 year after arrival in Norway (structured telephone interviews). PARTICIPANTS Adult Syrian refugees attending mandatory pretravel courses in Lebanon in 2017-2018 were invited to participate. In total, 353 individuals participated at both time points. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOMES We examined the cross-sectional associations between pain, mental health and migration-related exposures at baseline and follow-up and assessed whether associations changed significantly with time. Furthermore, we investigated the longitudinal association between mental health at baseline and pain at follow-up. We also evaluated temporal changes in use of analgesics and psychotropic drugs. RESULTS While most refugees reported improved health from the transit phase in Lebanon to the early resettlement phase in Norway, a few had persisting and intertwined health problems. Most migration-related stressors were more closely associated with chronic pain and mental health problems after resettlement as compared with the transit phase. In parallel, poor mental health was associated with chronic pain in the follow-up (adjusted risk ratio (ARR) 1.5 (1.0, 2.2)), but not at baseline (ARR 1.1 (0.8, 1.5)). Poor mental health at baseline was a statistically significant predictor of chronic pain at follow-up among those not reporting chronic pain at baseline. At both timepoints, one in four of those with chronic pain used analgesics regularly. None with mental health problems used antidepressants daily. CONCLUSIONS Providers of healthcare services to refugees should be attentive to the adverse effect of postmigration stressors and acknowledge the interrelations between pain and mental health. Possible gaps in pharmacological treatment of pain and mental health problems need further clarification.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jannicke Igland
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Jasmin Haj-Younes
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | | | - Lars T Fadnes
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Addiction Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Wegdan Hasha
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Esperanza Diaz
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Unit for Migration and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
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15
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Tasleem Z, Muhammad SA, Na’eim Ajis M, Abidin NAZ. Pakistan to Malaysia: What Expectations Behind Migration? JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION AND INTEGRATION 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s12134-021-00860-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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16
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Gimeno-Feliu LA, Pastor-Sanz M, Poblador-Plou B, Calderón-Larrañaga A, Díaz E, Prados-Torres A. Overuse or underuse? Use of healthcare services among irregular migrants in a north-eastern Spanish region. Int J Equity Health 2021; 20:41. [PMID: 33472644 PMCID: PMC7816492 DOI: 10.1186/s12939-020-01373-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background There is little verified information on global healthcare utilization by irregular migrants. Understanding how immigrants use healthcare services based on their needs is crucial to establish effective health policy. We compared healthcare utilization between irregular migrants, documented migrants, and Spanish nationals in a Spanish autonomous community. Methods This retrospective, observational study included the total adult population of Aragon, Spain: 930,131 Spanish nationals; 123,432 documented migrants; and 17,152 irregular migrants. Healthcare utilization data were compared between irregular migrants, documented migrants and Spanish nationals for the year 2011. Multivariable standard or zero-inflated negative binomial regression models were generated, adjusting for age, sex, length of stay, and morbidity burden. Results The average annual use of healthcare services was lower for irregular migrants than for documented migrants and Spanish nationals at all levels of care analyzed: primary care (0.5 vs 4 vs 6.7 visits); specialized care (0.2 vs 1.8 vs 2.9 visits); planned hospital admissions (0.3 vs 2 vs 4.23 per 100 individuals), unplanned hospital admissions (0.5 vs 3.5 vs 5.2 per 100 individuals), and emergency room visits (0.4 vs 2.8 vs 2.8 per 10 individuals). The average annual prescription drug expenditure was also lower for irregular migrants (€9) than for documented migrants (€77) and Spanish nationals (€367). These differences were only partially attenuated after adjusting for age, sex, and morbidity burden. Conclusions Under conditions of equal access, healthcare utilization is much lower among irregular migrants than Spanish nationals (and lower than that of documented migrants), regardless of country of origin or length of stay in Spain. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12939-020-01373-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Andrés Gimeno-Feliu
- EpiChron Research Group on Chronic Diseases, Aragón Health Sciences Institute (IACS), IIS Aragón, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain. .,Aragón Healthcare Service, San Pablo Health Centre, Zaragoza, Spain. .,Health Services Research on Chronic Patients Network (REDISSEC), Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain. .,Department of Medicine, Psychiatry and Dermatology, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.
| | - Marta Pastor-Sanz
- Health Services Research on Chronic Patients Network (REDISSEC), Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain.,Aragón Healthcare Service, Utrillas Health Centre, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Beatriz Poblador-Plou
- EpiChron Research Group on Chronic Diseases, Aragón Health Sciences Institute (IACS), IIS Aragón, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain.,Health Services Research on Chronic Patients Network (REDISSEC), Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain
| | - Amaia Calderón-Larrañaga
- EpiChron Research Group on Chronic Diseases, Aragón Health Sciences Institute (IACS), IIS Aragón, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain.,Health Services Research on Chronic Patients Network (REDISSEC), Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain.,Aging Research Center, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet & Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Esperanza Díaz
- Research Group for General Practice, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Norwegian Centre for Minority Health Research, Oslo, Norway
| | - Alexandra Prados-Torres
- EpiChron Research Group on Chronic Diseases, Aragón Health Sciences Institute (IACS), IIS Aragón, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain.,Health Services Research on Chronic Patients Network (REDISSEC), Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain
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17
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Ohm E, Holvik K, Kjøllesdal MKR, Madsen C. Health care utilisation for treatment of injuries among immigrants in Norway: a nationwide register linkage study. Inj Epidemiol 2020; 7:60. [PMID: 33190634 PMCID: PMC7667780 DOI: 10.1186/s40621-020-00286-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Previous research has generally found lower rates of injury incidence in immigrant populations than in native-born populations. Most of this literature relies on mortality statistics or hospital data, and we know less about injuries treated in primary health care. The aim of the present study was to assess use of primary and secondary care for treatment of injuries among immigrants in Norway according to geographic origin and type of injury. Methods We conducted a nationwide register-based cohort study of all individuals aged 25–64 years who resided in Norway as of January 1st 2008. This cohort was followed through 2014 by linking sociodemographic information and injury data from primary and secondary care. We grouped immigrants into six world regions of origin and identified immigrants from the ten most frequently represented countries of origin. Six categories of injury were defined: fractures, superficial injuries, open wounds, dislocations/sprains/strains, burns and poisoning. Poisson regression models were fitted to estimate incidence rate ratios separately for injuries treated in primary and secondary care according to immigrant status, geographic origin and type of injury, with adjustment for sex, age, county of residence, marital status and socioeconomic status. Results Immigrants had a 16% lower incidence of injury in primary care than non-immigrants (adjusted IRR = 0.84, 95% CI 0.83–0.84), and a 10% lower incidence of injury in secondary care (adjusted IRR = 0.90, 95% CI 0.90–0.91). Immigrants from Asia, Africa and European countries outside EU/EEA had lower rates than non-immigrants for injuries treated in both primary and secondary care. Rates were lower in immigrants for most injury types, and in particular for fractures and poisoning. For a subset of injuries treated in secondary care, we found that immigrants had lower rates than non-immigrants for treatment of self-harm, falls, sports injuries and home injuries, but higher rates for treatment of assault, traffic injuries and occupational injuries. Conclusions Health care utilisation for treatment of injuries in primary and secondary care in Norway was lower for immigrants compared to non-immigrants. Incidence rates were especially low for immigrants originating from Asia, Africa and European countries outside EU/EEA, and for treatment of fractures, poisoning, self-harm and sports injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eyvind Ohm
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, 0213, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Kristin Holvik
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, 0213, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Christian Madsen
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, 0213, Oslo, Norway
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18
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Haj-Younes J, Strømme EM, Igland J, Kumar B, Abildsnes E, Hasha W, Diaz E. Changes in self-rated health and quality of life among Syrian refugees migrating to Norway: a prospective longitudinal study. Int J Equity Health 2020; 19:188. [PMID: 33109202 PMCID: PMC7590794 DOI: 10.1186/s12939-020-01300-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Forced migrants can be exposed to various stressors that can impact their health and wellbeing. How the different stages in the migration process impacts health is however poorly explored. The aim of this study was to examine changes in self-rated health (SRH) and quality of life (QoL) among a cohort of adult Syrian refugees before and after resettlement in Norway. Method We used a prospective longitudinal study design with two assessment points to examine changes in health among adult Syrian resettlement refugees in Lebanon accepted for resettlement in Norway. We gathered baseline data in 2017/2018 in Lebanon and subsequently at follow-up one year after arrival. The main outcomes were good SRH measured by a single validated item and QoL measured by WHOQOL-BREF. We used generalized estimating equations to investigate changes in outcomes over time and incorporated interaction terms in the models to evaluate effect modifications. Results In total, 353 subjects participated in the study. The percentage of participants reporting good SRH showed a non-significant increase from 58 to 63% RR, 95%CI: 1.1 (1.0, 1.2) from baseline to follow-up while mean values of all four QoL domains increased significantly from baseline to follow-up; the physical domain from 13.7 to 15.7 B, 95%CI: 1.9 (1.6, 2.3), the psychological domain from 12.8 to 14.5 B, 95%CI: 1.7 (1.3, 2.0), social relationships from 13.7 to 15.3 B, 95%CI: 1.6 (1.2, 2.0) and the environmental domain from 9.0 to 14.0 5.1 B, 95%CI: (4.7, 5.4). Positive effect modifiers for improvement in SRH and QoL over time include male gender, younger age, low level of social support and illegal status in transit country. Conclusion Our results show that good SRH remain stable while all four QoL domains improve, most pronounced in the environment domain. Understanding the dynamics of migration and health is a fundamental step in reaching health equity. Supplementary information Supplementary information accompanies this paper at 10.1186/s12939-020-01300-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmin Haj-Younes
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, PO Box 7800, 5020, Bergen, Norway.
| | - Elisabeth Marie Strømme
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, PO Box 7800, 5020, Bergen, Norway
| | - Jannicke Igland
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, PO Box 7800, 5020, Bergen, Norway
| | - Bernadette Kumar
- Unit for Migration and health. Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222 Skøyen, 0213, Oslo, Norway
| | - Eirik Abildsnes
- Department of Psychosocial Health, University of Agder, PO Box 422, 4604, Kristiansand, Norway
| | - Wegdan Hasha
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, PO Box 7800, 5020, Bergen, Norway
| | - Esperanza Diaz
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, PO Box 7800, 5020, Bergen, Norway.,Unit for Migration and health. Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222 Skøyen, 0213, Oslo, Norway
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19
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Strømme EM, Haj-Younes J, Hasha W, Fadnes LT, Kumar B, Igland J, Diaz E. Changes in health among Syrian refugees along their migration trajectories from Lebanon to Norway: a prospective cohort study. Public Health 2020; 186:240-245. [PMID: 32861924 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2020.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Conflict-driven displacement is an indisputable social determinant of health. Yet, data on changes in health along the migration trajectories of refugees are scarce. This study aims to assess the longitudinal changes in somatic and mental health and use of medication among Syrian refugees relocating from a conflict-near transit setting in the Middle East to a resettlement setting in Europe. Further, we examine different health status trajectories and factors that predict health in the early postmigration period. STUDY DESIGN This is a prospective cohort study. METHODS Survey data were collected during 2017-2018 among adult Syrian refugees in Lebanon selected for quota resettlement and at follow-up approximately one year after resettlement in Norway. Our primary outcomes were non-communicable disease (NCD), chronic impairment, chronic pain, anxiety/depression, post-traumatic stress symptoms, and daily use of drugs. We estimated longitudinal changes in prevalence proportions using generalized estimating equations and evaluated effect modification of health outcomes. RESULTS Altogether, 353 Syrians participated. NCDs declined (12%-9%), while the prevalence of chronic impairment, chronic pain, and use of drugs remained nearly unchanged (29%-28%, 30%-28%, and 20%-18%) between baseline and follow-up. Conversely, mental health outcomes improved (anxiety/depression 33%-11%, post-traumatic stress disorder 5%-2%). Effect modifiers for improvement over time included younger age, short length of stay, and non-legal status in the transit country before resettlement in Europe. CONCLUSIONS We find that mental health outcomes improve from a conflict-near transit setting in Lebanon to an early resettlement setting in Norway, while somatic health outcomes remain stable. Temporal changes in health among moving populations warrant attention, and long-term changes need further scrutiny.
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Affiliation(s)
- E M Strømme
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, PO Box 7804, 5020, Bergen, Norway.
| | - J Haj-Younes
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, PO Box 7804, 5020, Bergen, Norway.
| | - W Hasha
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, PO Box 7804, 5020, Bergen, Norway.
| | - L T Fadnes
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, PO Box 7804, 5020, Bergen, Norway; Department of Addiction Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
| | - B Kumar
- Unit for Migration and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222 Skøyen, 0213, Oslo, Norway.
| | - J Igland
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, PO Box 7804, 5020, Bergen, Norway.
| | - E Diaz
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, PO Box 7804, 5020, Bergen, Norway; Unit for Migration and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222 Skøyen, 0213, Oslo, Norway.
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Htay MNN, Latt SS, Maung KS, Myint WW, Moe S. Mental Well-Being and Its Associated Factors Among Myanmar Migrant Workers in Penang, Malaysia. Asia Pac J Public Health 2020; 32:320-327. [PMID: 32672053 DOI: 10.1177/1010539520940199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
International migration has become a global phenomenon bringing with it complex and interrelated issues related to the physical and mental well-being of the people involved. This study investigated the mental well-being and factors associated with mental health among Myanmar migrant workers (MMW) in Malaysia. The cross-sectional study was conducted in Penang, Malaysia by using the WHO-5 Well-Being Index Scale (WHO-5) and the Mental Health subscale of 36 items in the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Among 192 migrant workers who were understudied, 79.2% had poor mental well-being according to the WHO-5 scale. The duration of stay in Malaysia and without receiving financial aid from their employers despite having a physical illness were significantly associated with poor mental well-being. Mental health support groups should target migrant workers for mental health education and find ways to provide assistance for them. Furthermore, premigration training should be delivered at the country of origin that also provides information on the availability of mental health support in the host country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mila Nu Nu Htay
- Melaka-Manipal Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Bukit Baru, Melaka, Malaysia
| | - Swe Swe Latt
- Asian Institute of Medical, Science and Technology (AIMST University), Bedong, Kedah, Malaysia
| | | | - Wai Wai Myint
- Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Soe Moe
- Melaka-Manipal Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Bukit Baru, Melaka, Malaysia
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Mbanya VN, Terragni L, Gele AA, Diaz E, Kumar BN. Access to Norwegian healthcare system - challenges for sub-Saharan African immigrants. Int J Equity Health 2019; 18:125. [PMID: 31412853 PMCID: PMC6693278 DOI: 10.1186/s12939-019-1027-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immigrants face barriers in accessing healthcare services in high-income countries. Inequalities in health and access to healthcare services among immigrants have been previously investigated. However, little is known on the sub-Saharan African immigrants' (SSA) access to the Norwegian healthcare system. METHODS The study had a qualitative research design. We used the snowball technique to recruit participants from networks including faith-based organizations and cultural groups. Forty-seven qualitative in-depth interview and two focus group discussions with immigrants from sub-Saharan African were conducted from October 2017 to July 2018 in Oslo and its environs. Interviews were conducted in Norwegian, English or French, audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim into English. The analysis was based on a thematic approach, using NVivo software. Interview data were analyzed searching for themes and sub-themes that emerged inductively from the interviews. RESULTS Our findings reveal barriers in two main categories when accessing the Norwegian healthcare services. The first category includes difficulties before accessing the healthcare system (information access, preference for doctors with an immigrant background, financial barriers, long waiting time and family and job responsibility). The second category includes difficulties experienced within the system (comprehension/expression and language, the black elephant in the room and dissatisfaction with healthcare providers). CONCLUSION Healthcare is not equally accessible to all Norwegian residents. This ultimately leads to avoidance of the healthcare system by those most in need. Lack of seeking healthcare services by immigrants from Sub Saharan Africa may have significant implications for the long-term health of this group of immigrants. Therefore measures to address the issues raised should be prioritized and further examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivian N Mbanya
- Department of Community Medicine and Global Health, Institute of Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Laura Terragni
- Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway
| | - Abdi A Gele
- Unit for Migration Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Esperanza Diaz
- Unit for Migration Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Bernadette N Kumar
- Unit for Migration Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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Leirbakk MJ, Magnus JH, Torper J, Zeanah P. Look to Norway: Serving new families and infants in a multiethnic population. Infant Ment Health J 2019; 40:659-672. [PMID: 31318444 PMCID: PMC6973293 DOI: 10.1002/imhj.21804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Despite recognition that immigrant women face significant health challenges, addressing the healthcare needs of immigrants is a source of debate in the United States. Lack of adequate healthcare for immigrants is recognized as a social justice issue, and other countries have incorporated immigrants into their healthcare services. Oslo, the fastest growing capital in Europe, is rapidly shifting to a heterogeneous society prompting organizational action and change. The New Families Program serves first-time mothers and their infants in an Oslo district serving 53% minorities from 142 countries. Anchored in salutogenic theory, the program aims to support the parent-child relationship, children's development and social adaptation, and to prevent stress-related outcomes. Formative research has informed the successful program development and implementation within the existing maternal and child healthcare service. Implications for addressing maternal and child health needs of an immigrant population are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria J Leirbakk
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Oslo, Norway and City of Oslo, Agency for Health
| | - Jeanette H Magnus
- Section for Leadership, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway and Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Johan Torper
- Department for Health and Social Services, City of Oslo, Norway
| | - Paula Zeanah
- Picard Center, College of Nursing, University of Louisiana, Lafayette, Louisiana, USA
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Impact of Length of Residence in the United States on Risk of Diabetes and Hypertension in Resettled Refugees. J Immigr Minor Health 2019; 20:296-306. [PMID: 28852919 DOI: 10.1007/s10903-017-0636-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The relationship between resettlement and development of chronic disease has yet to be elucidated in refugees. We aimed to assess the relationship between length of residence in the US and development of diabetes and hypertension utilizing multivariable logistic regression models in a sample of former refugee patients seeking primary care services. Multivariable logistic regression models adjusting for age, gender, and country of origin showed significantly increasing odds of type 2 diabetes (OR 1.12, 95% CI 1.03-1.22, p < 0.01) and hypertension (OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.00-1.14) with increasing length of stay in the US for resettled refugee adults. A significant proportion of diabetes (26.7%) and hypertension (36.9%) diagnoses were made within one year of arrival, highlighting the critical role of focusing diagnosis and prevention of chronic disease in newly resettled refugees, and continuing this focus throughout follow-up as these patients acculturate to their new homeland.
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Straiton ML, Aambø AK, Johansen R. Perceived discrimination, health and mental health among immigrants in Norway: the role of moderating factors. BMC Public Health 2019; 19:325. [PMID: 30894173 PMCID: PMC6425660 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-019-6649-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ethnic discrimination is a relatively common experience among immigrants and ethnic minorities. The experience of discrimination can have detrimental effects on an individual's health and well-being. This study investigated the association between perceived discrimination and general health and mental health among immigrants in Norway, in order to identify potential protective factors. METHODS Using data from the Living Conditions Survey among Immigrants 2016, our sample consisted of 4294 participants aged 16-66 years from 12 different countries. Participants were asked about a variety of themes including health and mental health, perceived discrimination, sense of belonging and language proficiency. RESULTS Around 27% of participants reported perceived discrimination. While perceived discrimination was not associated with general health, logistic regression analyses indicated that it was associated with 1.86 higher odds of mental health problems, even after adjusting for sociodemographic and psychosocial variables. Further, interaction analyses suggested that sense of belonging and trust in others moderated the relationship. Those with higher levels of trust did not have increased odds of mental health problems when experiencing discrimination, while those with low levels of trust did. In line with rejection sensitivity theory, the association between perceived discrimination and mental health was stronger for participants who had a strong sense of belonging to their own country of origin but not to Norway compared with those who had a sense of belonging to both. CONCLUSIONS Improved integration strategies could potentially improve the mental health of immigrants as well as increase the acceptability of diversity, which in turn, could reduce discrimination towards immigrants. Limitations and suggestions for further research are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Lindsay Straiton
- Department of Mental Health and Suicide, Division for Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, 0213 Oslo, Norway
| | - Arild Kjell Aambø
- Unit for Migration Health, Division for Health Services, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, 0213 Oslo, Norway
| | - Rune Johansen
- Department of Mental Health and Suicide, Division for Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, 0213 Oslo, Norway
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Helgesson M, Johansson B, Nordquist T, Vingård E, Svartengren M. Healthy migrant effect in the Swedish context: a register-based, longitudinal cohort study. BMJ Open 2019; 9:e026972. [PMID: 30878993 PMCID: PMC6429895 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-026972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Studies have found a 'healthy-migrant effect' (HME) among arriving migrants, that is, a better health status compared with others in the home country, but also in comparison with the population in the host country. The aims were to investigate whether the HME hypothesis is applicable to the Swedish context, that is, if health outcomes differed between a group of mainly labour migrants (Western migrants) and a group of mainly refugee/family reunion migrants (non-Western migrants) compared with the native Swedish population, and if there were any correlations between labour market attachment (LMA) and these health outcomes. DESIGN Register-based, longitudinal cohort study. PARTICIPANTS The cohort was defined on 31 December 1990 and consisted of all migrants aged 18-47 years who arrived in Sweden in 1985-1990 (n=74 954) and a reference population of native Swedes (n=1 405 047) in the same age span. They were followed for three consecutive 6-year periods (1991-1996, 1997-2002 and 2003-2008) and were assessed for five measures of health: hospitalisation for cardiovascular and psychiatric disorders, mortality, disability pension, and sick leave. RESULTS Western migrants had, compared with native Swedes, lower or equal HRs for all health measures during all time periods, while non-Western migrants displayed higher or equal HRs for all health measures, except for mortality, during all time periods. Age, educational level, occupation and LMA explained part of the difference between migrants and native Swedes. High LMA was associated with higher HRs for cardiovascular disorders among Western migrants, higher HRs of psychiatric disorders among non-Western migrants and higher HRs of mortality among both migrant groups compared with native Swedes. CONCLUSIONS There were indications of a HME among Western migrants, while less proof of a HME among non-Western migrants. Stratification for LMA and different migrant categories showed some interesting differences, and measurements of the HME may be inconclusive if not stratified by migrant category or other relevant variables.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magnus Helgesson
- Division of Insurance Medicine, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Stockholm SE-171 77, Karolinska Institutet
- Occupational- and Environmental Medicine, Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala
| | - Bo Johansson
- Occupational- and Environmental Medicine, Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala
- Occupational- and Environmental Medicine, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala
| | - Tobias Nordquist
- Occupational- and Environmental Medicine, Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala
- Occupational- and Environmental Medicine, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala
| | - Eva Vingård
- Occupational- and Environmental Medicine, Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala
| | - Magnus Svartengren
- Occupational- and Environmental Medicine, Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala
- Occupational- and Environmental Medicine, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala
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Gimeno-Feliu LA, Calderón-Larrañaga A, Díaz E, Laguna-Berna C, Poblador-Plou B, Coscollar-Santaliestra C, Prados-Torres A. The definition of immigrant status matters: impact of nationality, country of origin, and length of stay in host country on mortality estimates. BMC Public Health 2019; 19:247. [PMID: 30819146 PMCID: PMC6394150 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-019-6555-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2018] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mortality is a robust indicator of health and offers valuable insight into the health of immigrants. However, mortality estimates can vary significantly depending on the manner in which immigrant status is defined. Here, we assess the impact of nationality, country of origin, and length of stay in the host country on mortality estimates in an immigrant population in Aragón, Spain. METHODS Cross-sectional retrospective study of all adult subjects from the EpiChron Cohort in 2011 (n = 1,102,544), of whom 146,100 were foreign-born (i.e., according to place of birth) and 127,213 were non-nationals (i.e., according to nationality). Directly standardized death proportions between years 2012-2015 were calculated, taking into account the age distribution of the European population in 2013. Binary logistic regression was used to compare the four-year probability of death. RESULTS The age- and sex-standardized number of deaths per 1000 subjects were 45.1 (95%CI 44.7-45.2) for the Spanish-born population, 29.3 (95%CI 26.7-32.1) for the foreign-born population, and 18.4 (95%CI 15.6-21.6) for non-Spanish nationals. Compared with the Spanish-born population, the age- and sex-adjusted likelihood of dying was equally reduced in the foreign-born and non-national populations (OR 0.6; 95%CI 0.5-0.7) when the length of stay was less than 10 years. No significant differences in mortality estimates were detected when the length of stay was over 10 years. CONCLUSIONS Mortality estimates in immigrant populations were lower than those of the native Spanish population, regardless of the criteria applied. However, the proportion of deaths was lower when immigrant status was defined using nationality instead of country of birth. Age- and sex-standardized death proportions tended to increase with increased length of stay in the host country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Andrés Gimeno-Feliu
- EpiChron Research Group on Chronic Diseases, Aragón Health Sciences Institute (IACS), IIS Aragón, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain
- Aragón Healthcare Service, San Pablo Health Centre, Zaragoza, Spain
- Health Services Research on Chronic Patients Network (REDISSEC), Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Medicine, Psychiatry and Dermatology, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Amaia Calderón-Larrañaga
- EpiChron Research Group on Chronic Diseases, Aragón Health Sciences Institute (IACS), IIS Aragón, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain
- Health Services Research on Chronic Patients Network (REDISSEC), Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Aging Research Center, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Esperanza Díaz
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, Research Group for General Practice, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Norwegian Centre for Minority Health Research, Oslo, Norway
| | - Clara Laguna-Berna
- EpiChron Research Group on Chronic Diseases, Aragón Health Sciences Institute (IACS), IIS Aragón, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain
- Health Services Research on Chronic Patients Network (REDISSEC), Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain
| | - Beatriz Poblador-Plou
- EpiChron Research Group on Chronic Diseases, Aragón Health Sciences Institute (IACS), IIS Aragón, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain
- Health Services Research on Chronic Patients Network (REDISSEC), Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carlos Coscollar-Santaliestra
- EpiChron Research Group on Chronic Diseases, Aragón Health Sciences Institute (IACS), IIS Aragón, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain
- Aragón Healthcare Service, San Pablo Health Centre, Zaragoza, Spain
- Department of Medicine, Psychiatry and Dermatology, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Alexandra Prados-Torres
- EpiChron Research Group on Chronic Diseases, Aragón Health Sciences Institute (IACS), IIS Aragón, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain
- Health Services Research on Chronic Patients Network (REDISSEC), Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain
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Helgesson M, Wang M, Niederkrotenthaler T, Saboonchi F, Mittendorfer-Rutz E. Labour market marginalisation among refugees from different countries of birth: a prospective cohort study on refugees to Sweden. J Epidemiol Community Health 2019; 73:407-415. [PMID: 30755462 DOI: 10.1136/jech-2018-211177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2018] [Revised: 11/09/2018] [Accepted: 01/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim was to elucidate if the risk of labour market marginalisation (LMM), measured as long-term unemployment, long-term sickness absence, disability pension and a combined measure of these three measures, differed between refugees and non-refugee migrants with different regions of birth compared with native Swedes. METHODS All non-pensioned individuals aged 19-60 years who were resident in Sweden on 31 December 2009 were included (n=4 441 813, whereof 216 930 refugees). HRs with 95% CIs were computed by Cox regression models with competing risks and time-dependent covariates with a follow-up period of 2010-2013. RESULTS Refugees had in general a doubled risk (HR: 2.0, 95% CI 1.9 to 2.0) and non-refugee migrants had 70% increased risk (HR: 1.7, 95% CI 1.7 to 1.7) of the combined measure of LMM compared with native Swedes. Refugees from Somalia (HR: 2.7, 95% CI 2.6 to 2.8) and Syria (HR: 2.5, 95% CI 2.5 to 2.6) had especially high risk estimates of LMM, mostly due to high risk estimates of long-term unemployment (HR: 3.4, 95% CI 3.3 to 3.5 and HR: 3.2, 95% CI 3.1 to 3.2). African (HR: 0.7, 95% CI 0.6 to 0.7) and Asian (HR: 1.0, 95% CI 1.0 to 1.1) refugees had relatively low risk estimates of long-term sickness absence compared with other refugee groups. Refugees from Europe had the highest risk estimates of disability pension (HR: 1.9, 95% CI 1.8 to 2.0) compared with native Swedes. CONCLUSION Refugees had in general a higher risk of all measures of LMM compared with native Swedes. There were, however, large differences in risk estimates of LMM between subgroups of refugees and with regard to type of LMM. Actions addressing differences between subgroups of refugees is therefore crucial in order to ensure that refugees can obtain as well as retain a position on the labour market.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magnus Helgesson
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mo Wang
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Thomas Niederkrotenthaler
- Center for Public Health, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Unit Suicide Research & Mental Health Promotion, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Fredrik Saboonchi
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,The Swedish Red Cross University, College, Stockholm, Sweden
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Boulos D, Morand E, Foo M, Trivedi JD, Lai R, Huntersmith R, Zhang K, Stark CB, Le S. Acceptability of opt-out consent in a hospital patient population. Intern Med J 2018; 48:84-87. [PMID: 29314513 DOI: 10.1111/imj.13666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2017] [Revised: 04/22/2017] [Accepted: 04/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Research has been slow to leverage digitalised medical records as a data resource. Our study assessed patient acceptability of opt-out consent for secondary use of digital patient data. A questionnaire was distributed to patients in multiple languages and with an interpreter. Of 919 completed surveys, 33% were of non-English speaking background, 15% self-reported cognitive impairment and 3% were refugees. Opt-out consent was accepted in this diverse population; 87% of participants approved, or were indifferent to opt-out consent. Gender, employment and cognition status were not significant determinants of acceptability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Boulos
- Department of General Medicine, Monash Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Clinical Informatics, Monash Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Eric Morand
- School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Michelle Foo
- School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Ruth Lai
- School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Rachel Huntersmith
- School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Karen Zhang
- School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Claire Brigid Stark
- School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Suong Le
- Clinical Informatics, Monash Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Bapolisi A, Crabtree K, Jarolimova J, Kelly C, Kentoffio K, Patel P, Stone G, Batwala V. Assessment of attitudes and targeted educational needs for refugee care providers in a Ugandan hospital. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MEDICAL EDUCATION 2018; 9:221-225. [PMID: 30144389 PMCID: PMC6129151 DOI: 10.5116/ijme.5b64.9630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2017] [Accepted: 08/03/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To evaluate medical trainees' attitudes toward refugee patients in a refugee host country, and to identify educational needs. METHODS A 54-question cross-sectional questionnaire was administered to a convenience sample of 81 post-graduate medical trainees at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, Uganda, in 2016. Descriptive statistics on medical trainees' attitudes and educational needs regarding care for refugees were calculated. One-way ANOVA was used to assess relationships between an attitude scale and respondent characteristics. Reliability and validity of the survey items and attitude scale were assessed using Cronbach's alpha, item-to-scale correlation, and factor analysis. RESULTS The mean score on the attitude scale of 2.8 (SD=1.7) indicated positive attitudes toward refugees. All respondents had contact with refugees, and 89% (n=72) reported a need for further training. Many specifically indicated the need for training in use of translators, support personnel, and behavioral health. Cronbach's alpha values of greater than 0.7 indicated good internal consistency. Item-to-scale correlation and factor analysis validate the use of an attitude scale. ANOVA showed no significant difference between mean attitude scores in gender (F(1,77)=0.11, p=0.7367), country of origin (F(1.78) =0.53, p=0.8723), or year of study (F(4,74) =0.31, p=0.8273). CONCLUSIONS Medical trainees in Uganda report positive attitudes toward refugees and a need for additional education in refugee care in multiple specific areas. This study piloted the use of an attitude scale for refugee healthcare providers with promising validity and reliability. Use of these questions could inform curriculum development in refugee host countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Achille Bapolisi
- Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Department of Psychiatry, Uganda
| | | | | | - Caitrin Kelly
- Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Global Medicine, USA
| | | | - Palka Patel
- Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Global Medicine, USA
| | - Geren Stone
- Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Global Medicine, USA
| | - Vincent Batwala
- Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Directorate of Research and Graduate Training, Uganda
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Maneze D, Ramjan L, DiGiacomo M, Everett B, Davidson PM, Salamonson Y. Negotiating health and chronic illness in Filipino-Australians: a qualitative study with implications for health promotion. ETHNICITY & HEALTH 2018; 23:611-628. [PMID: 28271720 DOI: 10.1080/13557858.2017.1294656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In spite of the healthy immigrant effect, the prevalence of lifestyle-related chronic diseases among migrants is reported to approximate that of the host country with longer duration of stay. For example, higher rates of chronic diseases such as Type 2 diabetes and hypertension have been observed among Filipino migrants and these have been linked to acculturation. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of Filipino-Australian migrants in managing their chronic health conditions in a Western host country. DESIGN This paper reports on qualitative findings of a mixed methods study that used an explanatory sequential design. Nine focus group discussions were undertaken with 58 Filipino-Australian migrants with chronic disease. Thematic analysis was undertaken using a five-stage general purpose thematic framework ensuring that themes closely identified key participants' experiences . RESULTS Findings revealed that health benefits provided by the health system in Australia were considered advantageous. However, a lack of social and instrumental support compounded isolation and disempowerment, limiting self-management strategies for chronic illnesses. Cultural beliefs and practices influenced their knowledge, attitude to and management of chronic disease, which health service providers overlooked because of perceived acculturation and English language skills. Overall this study has clearly identified recognition of cultural beliefs, language needs and support as three core needs of Filipino-Australian migrants with the elderly the most vulnerable. CONCLUSION This paper highlights that self-management of chronic disease among elderly Filipino immigrants may be adversely affected by host language difficulties, a lack of social support and cultural issues, impacting on access to services, health-seeking behaviours and participation in health promotion initiatives. Language, culture-specific health interventions and resources and enhancing social support are likely important strategies in promoting chronic disease self-management among the elderly. These interventions have the potential to empower and encourage individuals to take control and better manage their chronic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Della Maneze
- a South Western Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD) , Ingleburn , Australia
- b Centre for Applied Nursing Research (CANR) , Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research , Liverpool , Australia
- c School of Nursing and Midwifery , Western Sydney University , Penrith , Australia
| | - Lucie Ramjan
- b Centre for Applied Nursing Research (CANR) , Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research , Liverpool , Australia
- c School of Nursing and Midwifery , Western Sydney University , Penrith , Australia
| | - Michelle DiGiacomo
- d Centre for Cardiovascular and Chronic Care, Faculty of Health , University of Technology Sydney , Ultimo , Australia
| | - Bronwyn Everett
- b Centre for Applied Nursing Research (CANR) , Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research , Liverpool , Australia
- c School of Nursing and Midwifery , Western Sydney University , Penrith , Australia
- e South Western Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD) , Liverpool , Australia
| | - Patricia Mary Davidson
- d Centre for Cardiovascular and Chronic Care, Faculty of Health , University of Technology Sydney , Ultimo , Australia
- f School of Nursing , Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore , USA
| | - Yenna Salamonson
- b Centre for Applied Nursing Research (CANR) , Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research , Liverpool , Australia
- c School of Nursing and Midwifery , Western Sydney University , Penrith , Australia
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Taleshan N, Petersen JH, Schioetz ML, Juul-Larsen HG, Norredam M. Multimorbidity and mortality thereof, among non-western refugees and family reunification immigrants in Denmark - a register based cohort study. BMC Public Health 2018; 18:844. [PMID: 29980204 PMCID: PMC6035406 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-018-5785-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2017] [Accepted: 07/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The prevalence of multimorbidity, defined by having two or more chronic diseases, is increasing in many Western countries. Simultaneously, the migrant population in Western countries has increased, making up a growing proportion of European populations. This study aims i) to determine the quantity and quality of multimorbidity patterns among refugees and family reunification immigrants from non-Western countries compared to Danish-born, and ii) to compare the mortality burden among those with multimorbidity in the two groups. Methods Through the Danish Immigration Service, we conducted a historically prospective cohort study. We identified a total of 101,894 adult migrants who were sub-categorised into refugees and family reunification immigrants, and matched them to a Danish-born comparison group 1:6 on age and sex. Through the Danish National Patient Registry, we obtained information on all in- and outpatient data on hospitalised and ambulatory patients. To assess multimorbidity we used Charlson Comorbidity Index based on ICD-10 codes, together with ICD-10 diagnostic categories for psychiatric disease. We used Cox regression analysis to calculate risk of multimorbidity and risk of mortality in people with multimorbidity. Results Overall refugees had higher risk of multimorbidity compared to Danish-born, while family reunification immigrants had a lower risk. When adjusting for civil status and mean income, the risk was lower for all migrant groups compared to Danish-born. Risk of mortality in people with multimorbidity, was lower for all migrant groups, compared to Danish-born. Conclusion Refugees are an at-risk group for multimorbidity, however, mortality among those with multimorbidity is lower in all migrant groups compared to Danish-born.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nasim Taleshan
- Section of immigrant Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark.
| | - Jorgen Holm Petersen
- Section of Biostatistics, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Michaela Louise Schioetz
- Intersectoral Research Unit for Health Services, Bispebjerg University Hospital, Copenhagen, NV, Denmark.,Research Unit for Chronic Conditions, Bispebjerg University Hospital, Copenhagen, NV, Denmark
| | - Helle Gybel Juul-Larsen
- Optimized Senior Patient Program, Clinical Research Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Research-Copenhagen (PMR-C), Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark.,Department of Physiotherapy, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Marie Norredam
- Section of immigrant Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark.,Department of Public Health, Danish Research Centre for Migration, Ethnicity and Health, Section of Health Services Research, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Syse A, Dzamarija MT, Kumar BN, Diaz E. An observational study of immigrant mortality differences in Norway by reason for migration, length of stay and characteristics of sending countries. BMC Public Health 2018; 18:508. [PMID: 29665802 PMCID: PMC5905163 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-018-5435-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2017] [Accepted: 04/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Knowledge of mortality differentials in immigrant groups depending on their reason for migration, length of stay in host countries and characteristics of sending countries may be beneficial for policy interventions aimed to improve various immigrant groups' health and welfare. METHODS We employed discrete-time hazard regression models with time-varying covariates to compare the death risk of immigrants to those of Norwegian-born natives using linked register data on the Norwegian population aged 25-79 during 1990-2015. More than 492,000 deaths occurred in around 4.6 million individuals. All analyses were adjusted for sex, age, calendar time and sociodemographic characteristics. RESULTS Immigrants had an 11% survival advantage overall. Those immigrating due to work or education had the lowest death risk, whereas refugees had the highest death risk (albeit lower than that of natives). Death risks increased markedly with length of stay, and were most pronounced for those having spent more than 40% of their lives in Norway. Net of reason for migration, only minor differences were observed depending on Human Development Index characteristics of sending countries. CONCLUSION Independent of reason for migration and characteristics of sending countries, those who immigrate to Norway in adulthood appear to be particularly healthy. The higher death risk associated with prolonged lengths of stay suggests that disadvantageous 'acculturation' or stress factors related to the post-migration period may play a role in the long run. The health and welfare of long-term immigrants thus warrants further research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Bernadette N Kumar
- The Norwegian Centre for Minority Health Research, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Esperanza Diaz
- The Norwegian Centre for Minority Health Research, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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Diaz E, Ortiz-Barreda G, Ben-Shlomo Y, Holdsworth M, Salami B, Rammohan A, Chung RYN, Padmadas SS, Krafft T. Interventions to improve immigrant health. A scoping review. Eur J Public Health 2018; 27:433-439. [PMID: 28339883 PMCID: PMC5445720 DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckx001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Disparities in health between immigrants and their host populations have been described across countries and continents. Hence, interventions for improving health targeting general populations are not necessarily effective for immigrants. Aims: To conduct a systematic search of the literature evaluating health interventions for immigrants; to map the characteristics of identified studies including range of interventions, immigrant populations and their host countries, clinical areas targeted and reported evaluations, challenges and limitations of the interventions identified. Following the results, to develop recommendations for research in the field. Methods: A scoping review approach was chosen to provide an overview of the type, extent and quantity of research available. Studies were included if they empirically evaluated health interventions targeting immigrants and/or their descendants, included a control group, and were published in English (PubMed and Embase from 1990 to 2015). Results: Most of the 83 studies included were conducted in the USA, encompassed few immigrant groups and used a randomized controlled trial (RCT) or cluster RCT design. Most interventions addressed chronic and non-communicable diseases and attendance at cancer screening services, used individual targeted approaches, targeted adult women and recruited participants from health centres. Outcome measures were often subjective, with the exception of interventions for cardiovascular risk and diabetes. Generally, authors claimed that interventions were beneficial, despite a number of reported limitations. Conclusions: Recommendations for enhancing interventions to improve immigrant health are provided to help researchers, funders and health care commissioners when deciding upon the scope, nature and design of future research in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esperanza Diaz
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Norwegian Centre for Minority Health Research, Oslo, Norway
| | - Gaby Ortiz-Barreda
- Department of Health Promotion and Development, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Yoav Ben-Shlomo
- School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Michelle Holdsworth
- School of Health and Related Research- ScHARR, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Bukola Salami
- Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Alberta, Canada
| | - Anu Rammohan
- Discipline of Economics, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Roger Yat-Nork Chung
- School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | | | - Thomas Krafft
- Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht University, The Netherlands
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Gimeno-Feliu LA, Calderón-Larrañaga A, Díaz E, Laguna-Berna C, Poblador-Plou B, Coscollar C, Prados-Torres A. Multimorbidity and immigrant status: associations with area of origin and length of residence in host country. Fam Pract 2017; 34:662-666. [PMID: 29106530 DOI: 10.1093/fampra/cmx048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM Multimorbidity is a growing phenomenon in primary care, and knowledge of the influence of social determinants on its evolution is vital. The aim of this study was to understand the relationship between multimorbidity and immigration, taking into account length of residence in the host country and area of origin of the immigrant population. METHODS Cross-sectional retrospective study of all adult patients registered within the public health service of Aragon, Spain (N = 1092279; 144238 were foreign-born), based on data from the EpiChron Cohort. Age-standardized prevalence rates of multimorbidity were calculated. Different models of binary logistic regressions were conducted to study the association between multimorbidity, immigrant status and length of residence in the host country. RESULTS The risk of multimorbidity in foreign-borns was lower than that of native-borns [odds ratio (OR): 0.54, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.53-0.55]. The probability of experiencing multimorbidity was lowest for Asians (OR: 0.34, 95% CI: 0.31-0.37) and Eastern Europeans (OR: 0.42, 95% CI: 0.40-0.43), and highest for Latin Americans (OR: 0.70, 95% CI: 0.68-0.72). Foreign-born immigrants residing in Aragon for ≥5 years had a higher multimorbidity risk than those residing for <5 years (OR: 2.3, 95% CI: 2.2-2.4). CONCLUSION Prevalence of multimorbidity is lower among foreign-borns as compared with native-borns, but increases rapidly with length of residence in the host country. However, the progressive development of multimorbidity among immigrants varies widely depending on area of origin. These findings provide important insight into the health care needs of specific population groups and may help minimize the negative impact of multimorbidity among the most vulnerable groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Andrés Gimeno-Feliu
- San Pablo Health Centre, Aragón Health Service, Zaragoza, Spain.,EpiChron Research Group on Chronic Diseases, Aragón Health Sciences Institute (IACS), IIS Aragón, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain.,Health Services Research on Chronic Patients Network (REDISSEC), Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Medicine, Psychiatry and Dermatology, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Amaia Calderón-Larrañaga
- EpiChron Research Group on Chronic Diseases, Aragón Health Sciences Institute (IACS), IIS Aragón, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain.,Health Services Research on Chronic Patients Network (REDISSEC), Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain.,Aging Research Center, NVS Department Karolinska, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Esperanza Díaz
- Research Group for General Practice, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, Universitetet i Bergen Det medisinsk-odontologiske fakultet, Bergen, Norway.,Norwegian Centre for Minority Health Research, Oslo, Norway
| | - Clara Laguna-Berna
- EpiChron Research Group on Chronic Diseases, Aragón Health Sciences Institute (IACS), IIS Aragón, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain.,Health Services Research on Chronic Patients Network (REDISSEC), Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain
| | - Beatriz Poblador-Plou
- EpiChron Research Group on Chronic Diseases, Aragón Health Sciences Institute (IACS), IIS Aragón, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain.,Health Services Research on Chronic Patients Network (REDISSEC), Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carlos Coscollar
- San Pablo Health Centre, Aragón Health Service, Zaragoza, Spain.,EpiChron Research Group on Chronic Diseases, Aragón Health Sciences Institute (IACS), IIS Aragón, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain.,Health Services Research on Chronic Patients Network (REDISSEC), Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Medicine, Psychiatry and Dermatology, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Alexandra Prados-Torres
- EpiChron Research Group on Chronic Diseases, Aragón Health Sciences Institute (IACS), IIS Aragón, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain.,Health Services Research on Chronic Patients Network (REDISSEC), Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Microbiology, Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
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Diaz E, Mbanya VN, Gele AA, Kumar B. Differences in primary health care use among sub-Saharan African immigrants in Norway: a register-based study. BMC Health Serv Res 2017; 17:509. [PMID: 28754117 PMCID: PMC5534034 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-017-2404-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2016] [Accepted: 06/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Immigrants’ utilization of primary health care (PHC) services differs from that of the host populations. However, immigrants are often classified in broad groups by continent of origin, and the heterogeneity within the same continent may hide variation in use among immigrant groups at a national level. Differences in utilization of PHC between sub-Saharan African immigrants have not received much attention. Methods Registry-based study using merged data from the National Population Register and the Norwegian Health Economics Administration. African immigrants and their descendants registered in Norway in 2008 (36,366 persons) where included in this study. Using χ2 test and logistic regression models, we assessed the differences in the use of PHC, including general practitioner (GP) and emergency room (ER) services, and the distribution of morbidity burden for immigrants from Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Gambia. For the analyses, we used the number of visits and medical diagnoses from each consultation registered by the physician. Result Among the total studied population, 66.1% visited PHC within 1 year. The diagnoses registered were similar for all four immigrants groups, regardless of country of origin. Compared to immigrants from Somalia, the age and sex adjusted odds ratios (OR) for use of GP were significantly lower for Ethiopians (OR 0.91; 0.86–0.97), Eritreans (OR 0.85; 0.79–0.91), and Gambians (OR 0.88; 0.80–0.97). Similarly, we also observed lower use of ER among Ethiopians (OR 0.88; 0.81–0.95), Eritreans (OR 0.56; 0.51–0.62) and Gambians (OR 0.81; 0.71–0.92). However, immigrants from Somalia reduced their use of PHC with longer duration of stay in Norway. Differences between groups persisted after further adjustment for employment status. Conclusion Despite the similarities in diagnoses among the sub-Saharan African immigrant groups in Norway, their use of PHC services differs by country of origin and length of stay. It is important to assess the reasons for the differences in these groups to identify barriers and facilitators to access to healthcare for future interventions. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12913-017-2404-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esperanza Diaz
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Norwegian Centre for Minority Health Research, Oslo, Norway
| | - Vivian N Mbanya
- Department of Community Medicine and Global Health, Institute of Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, P.O Box 1130, Blindern, 0318, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Abdi A Gele
- Norwegian Centre for Minority Health Research, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Bernadette Kumar
- Norwegian Centre for Minority Health Research, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Community Medicine and Global Health, Institute of Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, P.O Box 1130, Blindern, 0318, Oslo, Norway
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Fadnes LT, Diaz E. Primary healthcare usage and use of medications among immigrant children according to age of arrival to Norway: a population-based study. BMJ Open 2017; 7:e014641. [PMID: 28148537 PMCID: PMC5294001 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2016-014641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Morbidity, use of healthcare and medication use have been reported to vary across groups of migrants and according to the different phases of migration, but little is known about children with immigrant background. In this study, we investigate whether the immigrant children's age of arrival predicts differences in usage of primary healthcare (PHC) and in use of prescribed medication. METHODS This nationwide, population-based study used information for children under 18 years of age in 2008 from three linked registers in Norway. Use of medication was assessed with logistic regression analyses presented with ORs with 95% CIs. RESULTS Of 1 168 365 children, 119 251 had immigrant background. The mean number of PHC visits among children aged 10-18 years, was 1.19 for non-immigrants, 1.17 among second generation immigrants, 1.12, 1.05 and 0.83 among first immigrant children who were <5, 5-9 and ≥10 years at arrival in Norway, respectively. Patterns were similar for younger immigrants, and were confirmed with regression models adjusting for age and sex. First generation immigrant children used less of nearly all groups of prescribed medication compared to non-immigrants when adjusting for age and sex (overall OR 0.48 (0.47 to 0.49)), and medication was also generally less used among second generation immigrant children (overall OR 0.92 (0.91 to 0.94)). CONCLUSIONS Age of arrival predicted PHC usage among children among first-generation children. First-generation immigrant children, particularly those arriving later in adolescence, used PHC less than age corresponding non-immigrant children. Immigrant children used less prescribed medication compared to non-immigrants after adjustment for age and sex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars T Fadnes
- Department of Clinical Dentistry,
University of Bergen, Bergen,
Norway
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care,
University of Bergen, Bergen,
Norway
| | - Esperanza Diaz
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care,
University of Bergen, Bergen,
Norway
- Norwegian Centre for Minority Health Research,
Norway
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Lolk M, Byberg S, Carlsson J, Norredam M. Somatic comorbidity among migrants with posttraumatic stress disorder and depression - a prospective cohort study. BMC Psychiatry 2016; 16:447. [PMID: 27964720 PMCID: PMC5153678 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-016-1149-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2016] [Accepted: 11/29/2016] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In a cohort of migrants in Denmark, we compared somatic disease incidence among migrants diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression with migrants without a diagnosed psychiatric disorder. METHODS The study builds on a unique cohort of migrants who obtained residence permit in Denmark from 1993 to 2010 (N = 92,104). The association with somatic disease was explored via register linkage. We used Poisson regression to model incidence rate ratios (IRR) adjusted for age, sex, income and region of origin. The Danish Data Protection Agency granted authorisation for the implementation of the project (No 2012-41-0065). RESULTS Our results showed that migrants diagnosed with PTSD and depression had significantly higher rates of somatic diseases compared with migrants without diagnosed psychiatric disorders - especially, infectious disease (IRR, 1.89; 95% CI, 1.45-2.48; p < 0.01), neurological disease (IRR, 2.35; 95% CI, 1.91-2.91; p < 0.01) and pulmonary disease (IRR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.37-2.00; p < 0.01). We further saw differences in the IRRs according to region of origin. CONCLUSION Migrants with PTSD and depression had a significantly higher rates of somatic comorbidity compared with migrants without a diagnosed psychiatric disorder. The rates were especially high for infectious, neurological and pulmonary diseases. Our results further suggest difference in the rates of somatic comorbidity according to region of. Preventive and treatment services should pay special attention to improve the overall health of migrants with PTSD and depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mette Lolk
- Danish Research Centre for Migration, Ethnicity and Health, Section of Health Services Research, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5A, Copenhagen, Denmark. .,Competence Centre for Transcultural Psychiatry, Mental Health Centre Ballerup, Mental Health Services of the Capital Region of Denmark, Maglevaenget 2, 2750, Ballerup, Denmark.
| | - Stine Byberg
- Danish Research Centre for Migration, Ethnicity and Health, Section of Health Services Research, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5A, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jessica Carlsson
- Competence Centre for Transcultural Psychiatry, Mental Health Centre Ballerup, Mental Health Services of the Capital Region of Denmark, Maglevaenget 2, 2750 Ballerup, Denmark
| | - Marie Norredam
- Danish Research Centre for Migration, Ethnicity and Health, Section of Health Services Research, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5A, Copenhagen, Denmark ,Department of Immigrant Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Hvidovre Hospital, Kettegård Allé 30, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Fiorini G, Cerri C, Bini S, Rigamonti AE, Perlini S, Marazzi N, Sartorio A, Cella SG. The burden of chronic noncommunicable diseases in undocumented migrants: a 1-year survey of drugs dispensation by a non-governmental organization in Italy. Public Health 2016; 141:26-31. [PMID: 27932012 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2016.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2016] [Revised: 07/27/2016] [Accepted: 08/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study was carried out with two objectives. The first one was to have an insight into the prevalence of chronic noncommunicable diseases (CNCD) in undocumented migrants, and the second one was to evaluate if differences existed among different ethnic groups. STUDY DESIGN The study is based on the collection of data on drug dispensation by a non-governmental organization (NGO) providing free medical assistance to undocumented migrants in Milan, Italy. All the prescriptions to adult subjects from January 1 to December 31 2014 (total 8438) were recorded and analyzed. All the data available for the patients receiving prescriptions (age, gender and country of birth) were also collected in anonymous form. Ethical approval for the study was given by the Ethics Committee of the NGO. METHODS Drugs were grouped according to the anatomical therapeutic chemical (ATC) classification and their quantities expressed as daily defined doses (DDDs)/1000 patients/day. The 56 ATC levels were divided into three groups according to their use for acute, chronic, or both acute and chronic diseases. The statistical analysis of drug dispensation was performed for the whole population and for the five ethnic groups into which it had been divided. RESULTS Prescription of medicines for chronic conditions was significantly greater than for acute (154.2 ± 45.9 vs 51.3 ± 18.4 DDD/1000 patients/day, P < 0.02) and for both acute and chronic conditions (57.9 ± 12.8 DDD/1000 patients/day, P < 0.02). Five ATC classes accounted for 60% of all chronic prescriptions. They were differently distributed among the five ethnic groups (e.g., Asians required more antihypertensives and antidiabetics, East Europeans required more lipid modifying drugs, antihypertensives and antithrombotics). CONCLUSIONS Our data show an important use of medicines for chronic diseases in a population of undocumented migrants. Though with some limitations, this could be an indicator of a high prevalence of CNCD in this population, with significant differences among different ethnic groups. This situation should be considered when planning health interventions, also in consideration of the fact that it could have an impact on European Health Services in a short time.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Fiorini
- Istituti Clinici Zucchi, Carate, Italy; Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Italy
| | - C Cerri
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Italy
| | - S Bini
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Italy
| | - A E Rigamonti
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Italy
| | - S Perlini
- Department of Internal Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS San Matteo, University of Pavia, Italy
| | - N Marazzi
- IRCCS - Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Experimental Laboratory for Auxo-endocrinological Research, Milan, Verbania, Italy
| | - A Sartorio
- IRCCS - Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Experimental Laboratory for Auxo-endocrinological Research, Milan, Verbania, Italy
| | - S G Cella
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Italy.
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Elstad JI. Register study of migrants' hospitalization in Norway: world region origin, reason for migration, and length of stay. BMC Health Serv Res 2016; 16:306. [PMID: 27461121 PMCID: PMC4962451 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-016-1561-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2016] [Accepted: 07/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The proportion of migrants and refugees increase in many populations. Health planners have to consider how migration will influence demand for health care. This study explores how migrants' geographical origin, reason for migration, and duration of residence are associated with admission rates to somatic hospitals in Norway. METHODS Sociodemographic information on all individuals residing in Norway at the start of 2008 was linked to data on all admissions to somatic hospitals during 2008-2011. Migrants, age 30-69, who had come to Norway during 1970-2007 (N = 217,907), were classified into seven world region origins and compared with native Norwegians of the same age (N = 2,181,948). Any somatic hospital stay 2008-2011 and number of hospital admissions 2008-2011 per 1000 personyears for a set of somatic diagnoses were analyzed by age and gender standardized rates, linear probability models, and Poisson regression. RESULTS In the native Norwegian sample, 28.7 % had at least one admission 2008-2011, and there were 116 admissions per 1000 personyears. Corresponding age and gender adjusted figures for the migrant sample were 27.0 % and 103 admissions. Admission rates varied with migrants' geographical origin, with relatively many admissions among migrants from West and South Asia and relatively few admissions among migrants from Western, East European, and Other Asian countries. Hospitalization varied strongly with reason for migration, with low admission rates for recent work migrants and high admission rates for recent refugees. Admission rates tended to move towards the level among native Norwegians with increasing length of stay. Among longstanding migrants (arrival period 1970-1989), admission rates were close to the levels of native Norwegians for most analyzed migrant categories. CONCLUSION Both world region origin, reason for migration, and duration of residence are important sources for variations in migrants' utilization of somatic hospitals. Forecasts about migrants' use of hospital services have to take into account how the migrant population is composed as to these three determinants. High admission rates among recently arrived refugees should be a health policy concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jon Ivar Elstad
- NOVA, Centre for Welfare and Labour Research, Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, P.O.B. 4, St. Olavs Plass, 0130, Oslo, Norway.
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Gimeno-Feliu LA, Calderón-Larrañaga A, Diaz E, Poblador-Plou B, Macipe-Costa R, Prados-Torres A. Global healthcare use by immigrants in Spain according to morbidity burden, area of origin, and length of stay. BMC Public Health 2016; 16:450. [PMID: 27230885 PMCID: PMC4882823 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-016-3127-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2015] [Accepted: 05/10/2016] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The healthcare of immigrants is an important aspect of equity of care provision. Understanding how immigrants use the healthcare services based on their needs is crucial to establish effective health policy. METHODS This retrospective, observational study included the total population of Aragon, Spain (1,251,540 individuals, of whom 11.9 % were immigrants). Patient-level data on the use of primary, specialised, hospital, and emergency care as well as prescription drug use in 2011 were extracted from the EpiChron Cohort and compared between immigrants and nationals. Multivariable standard or zero-inflated negative binomial regression models were generated, adjusting for age, sex, length of stay, and morbidity burden. RESULTS The annual visit rates of immigrants were lower than those of nationals for primary care (3.3 vs 6.4), specialised care (1.3 vs 2.7), planned hospital admissions/100 individuals (1.6 vs 3.8), unplanned hospital admissions/100 individuals (2.7 vs 4.7), and emergency room visits/10 individuals (2.3 vs 2.8). Annual prescription drug costs were also lower for immigrants (€47 vs €318). These differences were only partially attenuated after adjusting for age, sex and morbidity burden. CONCLUSION In a universal coverage health system offering broad legal access to immigrants, the global use of healthcare services was lower for immigrants than for nationals. These differences may be explained in part by the healthy migration effect, but also reveal possible inequalities in healthcare provision that warrant further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis A Gimeno-Feliu
- EpiChron Research Group on Chronic Diseases, Aragón Health Sciences Institute (IACS), IIS Aragón, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain. .,San Pablo Health Centre, C/ Aguadores 7, 50003, Zaragoza, Spain. .,Department of Medicine, Psychiatry and Dermatology, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.
| | - Amaia Calderón-Larrañaga
- EpiChron Research Group on Chronic Diseases, Aragón Health Sciences Institute (IACS), IIS Aragón, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain.,Red de Investigación en Servicios de Salud en Enfermedades Crónicas (REDISSEC), Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain
| | - Esperanza Diaz
- Department of Public Health and Primary Health Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Norwegian Centre for Minority Health Research (NAKMI), Oslo University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Beatriz Poblador-Plou
- EpiChron Research Group on Chronic Diseases, Aragón Health Sciences Institute (IACS), IIS Aragón, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain.,Red de Investigación en Servicios de Salud en Enfermedades Crónicas (REDISSEC), Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Alexandra Prados-Torres
- EpiChron Research Group on Chronic Diseases, Aragón Health Sciences Institute (IACS), IIS Aragón, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain.,Red de Investigación en Servicios de Salud en Enfermedades Crónicas (REDISSEC), Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Microbiology, Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
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Diaz E, Poblador-Pou B, Gimeno-Feliu LA, Calderón-Larrañaga A, Kumar BN, Prados-Torres A. Multimorbidity and Its Patterns according to Immigrant Origin. A Nationwide Register-Based Study in Norway. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0145233. [PMID: 26684188 PMCID: PMC4684298 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0145233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2015] [Accepted: 11/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION As the flows of immigrant populations increase worldwide, their heterogeneity becomes apparent with respect to the differences in the prevalence of chronic physical and mental disease. Multimorbidity provides a new framework in understanding chronic diseases holistically as the consequence of environmental, social, and personal risks that contribute to increased vulnerability to a wide variety of illnesses. There is a lack of studies on multimorbidity among immigrants compared to native-born populations. METHODOLOGY This nationwide multi-register study in Norway enabled us i) to study the associations between multimorbidity and immigrant origin, accounting for other known risk factors for multimorbidity such as gender, age and socioeconomic levels using logistic regression analyses, and ii) to identify patterns of multimorbidity in Norway for immigrants and Norwegian-born by means of exploratory factor analysis technique. RESULTS Multimorbidity rates were lower for immigrants compared to Norwegian-born individuals, with unadjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals 0.38 (0.37-0.39) for Eastern Europe, 0.58 (0.57-0.59) for Asia, Africa and Latin America, and 0.67 (0.66-0.68) for Western Europe and North America. Results remained significant after adjusting for socioeconomic factors. Similar multimorbidity disease patterns were observed among Norwegian-born and immigrants, in particular between Norwegian-born and those from Western European and North American countries. However, the complexity of patterns that emerged for the other immigrant groups was greater. Despite differences observed in the development of patterns with age, such as ischemic heart disease among immigrant women, we were unable to detect the systematic development of the multimorbidity patterns among immigrants at younger ages. CONCLUSIONS Our study confirms that migrants have lower multimorbidity levels compared to Norwegian-born. The greater complexity of multimorbidity patterns for some immigrant groups requires further investigation. Health care policies and practice will require a holistic approach for specific population groups in order to meet their health needs and to curb and prevent diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esperanza Diaz
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Norwegian Centre for Minority Health Research, Oslo, Norway
- * E-mail:
| | - Beatriz Poblador-Pou
- EpiChron Research Group on Chronic Diseases, Aragón Health Sciences Institute (IACS), IIS Aragón, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain
- Red de Investigación en Servicios de Salud en Enfermedades Crónicas (REDISSEC), Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis-Andrés Gimeno-Feliu
- EpiChron Research Group on Chronic Diseases, Aragón Health Sciences Institute (IACS), IIS Aragón, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain
- San Pablo Health Centre, Zaragoza, Spain
- University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Amaia Calderón-Larrañaga
- EpiChron Research Group on Chronic Diseases, Aragón Health Sciences Institute (IACS), IIS Aragón, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain
- Red de Investigación en Servicios de Salud en Enfermedades Crónicas (REDISSEC), Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain
| | - Bernadette N. Kumar
- Norwegian Centre for Minority Health Research, Oslo, Norway
- Institute for Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Alexandra Prados-Torres
- EpiChron Research Group on Chronic Diseases, Aragón Health Sciences Institute (IACS), IIS Aragón, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain
- Red de Investigación en Servicios de Salud en Enfermedades Crónicas (REDISSEC), Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain
- University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
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