International Journal of Public Health
Volume 56, Issue 5, 2011, Pages 567-576

Pattern of health services use by immigrants from different regions of the world residing in Spain (Article)

Sanz B.* , Regidor E. , Galindo S. , Pascual C. , Lostao L. , Díaz J.M. , Sánchez E.
  • a National School of Public Health, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Avda Monforte de Lemos n85, 28029 Madrid, Spain
  • b Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
  • c National School of Public Health, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Avda Monforte de Lemos n85, 28029 Madrid, Spain
  • d Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
  • e Department of Sociology, Sociology of Health, Public University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
  • f Madrid-Salud, Ayuntamiento de Madrid, Spain
  • g Epicentre, Paris, France

Abstract

Objective To determine immigrants' frequency of use of four health services by place of origin and compare it with that of the Spanish population. Methods Based on the 2006 National Health Survey in Spain, we estimated the frequency of use of four health services in men and women from: Spain, Western countries, Eastern Europe, Latin America, North Africa, Sub Saharan Africa and Asia/Oceania. These results were compared with the Spanish population by calculating odds ratios adjusted for age, socioeconomic position, health status, and type of health coverage. Results Immigrant men generally use health services less frequently than Spanish nationals. The main exceptions are Latin American men, who more often use emergency services (OR 1.68, 95% CI 1.41-1.99) and Sub-Saharan men, who use specialists more frequently (OR 2.93, 1.70-5.05). Immigrant women use health services about as frequently as Spanish women. The main exceptions are North African women, who less frequently use specialists (OR 0.39, 0.22-0.71) and Sub-Saharan women who more frequently use GPs (OR 4.06, 2.21-7.44), specialists (OR 2.29, 1.06-4.95) and emergency services (OR 2.92, 1.49-5.72). Conclusions Health services use by the immigrant population in Spain differs by gender and place of origin. © Swiss School of Public Health 2011.

Author Keywords

Health services accessibility emigrants and immigrants Health survey Delivery of health care

Index Keywords

hospitalization human sex difference middle aged Ethnic Groups health service ethnic group comparative study Aged Health Surveys Young Adult Humans Adolescent male Emigrants and Immigrants Spain female Socioeconomic Factors socioeconomics health services Article adult migration Sex Factors Utilization Review health survey

Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-80955137752&doi=10.1007%2fs00038-011-0237-9&partnerID=40&md5=30c471d407070380cc5c305746b0e3b8

DOI: 10.1007/s00038-011-0237-9
ISSN: 16618556
Cited by: 22
Original Language: English