Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Volume 12, Issue 3, 2010, Pages 361-369

A health survey of a colonia located on the west Texas, US/Mexico Border (Article)

Anders R.L. , Olson T. , Robinson K. , Wiebe J. , DiGregorio R. , Guillermina M. , Albrechtsen J. , Bean N.H. , Ortiz M.
  • a School of Nursing, University of Texas, 1101 N. Campbell, El Paso, TX 79902, United States
  • b School of Nursing, University of Texas, 1101 N. Campbell, El Paso, TX 79902, United States
  • c School of Nursing, University of Texas, 1101 N. Campbell, El Paso, TX 79902, United States
  • d Department of Psychology, University of Texas, El Paso, TX, United States
  • e School of Nursing, University of Texas, 1101 N. Campbell, El Paso, TX 79902, United States
  • f School of Nursing, University of Texas, 1101 N. Campbell, El Paso, TX 79902, United States
  • g Department of Psychology, University of Texas, El Paso, TX, United States
  • h Department of Psychology, University of Texas, El Paso, TX, United States
  • i Division of Biostatistics, UT School of Public Health, El Paso, TX, United States

Abstract

Little is known about how health disparities affect the health status and general health perceptions of Hispanics living in Texas colonias. The purpose of this study was to conduct a health survey of residents (n = 216) of a colonia community on the border between El Paso, Texas and Juarez, Mexico. Instruments used in this study included a researcher developed demographic questionnaire, the Short Acculturation Scale for Hispanics (SASH), Cutting down, Annoyance by criticism, Guilty feeling and Eye-openers (CAGE) for alcohol consumption, and the Short Form version 2 (SF36v2) health survey. Study findings show the average participant was approximately 42 years old, attained an average of 9.6 years of education, earned an average annual household income of $17,575 and had an average SASH score of 25.4. SASH scores range from 12 to 60, with higher scores suggesting higher levels of American acculturation. Findings from this health survey suggest the average resident of the colonia may have health disadvantages when compared to residents from other parts of El Paso and Texas. Binge drinking was self-reported by 13.4% of all participants; with 5.6% having a CAGE score greater than 2 (indicating an increased propensity towards problems with alcohol). The self-report rates of diabetes, depression and anxiety were 15.3%, 20.4% and 16.7% respectively. The SF36v2 composite functional health status scores mirrored the national norms. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2008.

Author Keywords

Colonia Border Minority health disparities Hispanics Poor Underserved

Index Keywords

anxiety depression Alcohol Drinking drinking behavior Community Health Services community care human statistics diabetes mellitus comparative study health status Health Surveys Mexico Hispanic Americans United States income Young Adult Humans Hispanic male Acculturation Socioeconomic Factors female socioeconomics questionnaire cultural factor Psychometrics psychometry Article high risk behavior Risk-Taking Questionnaires adult Alcoholic Intoxication alcohol intoxication Texas health survey
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-77956058346&doi=10.1007%2fs10903-008-9186-7&partnerID=40&md5=9819c0a33d44518d04f9c8b686e6c0e0
DOI: 10.1007/s10903-008-9186-7
ISSN: 15571912
Cited by: 13
Original Language: English