Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved
Volume 26, Issue 2, 2015, Pages 488-504

Feasibility of conducting a longitudinal, transnational study of filipino migrants to the united states: A dual- cohort design (Article)

Gee G.C.* , De Castro A.B. , Wang M.C. , Crespi C.M. , Morey B.N. , Fujishiro K.
  • a Fielding School of Public Health at the University of California, Los Angeles, United States
  • b School of Nursing and Health Studies at the University of Washington, Bothell, United States
  • c Fielding School of Public Health at the University of California, Los Angeles, United States
  • d Fielding School of Public Health at the University of California, Los Angeles, United States
  • e Fielding School of Public Health at the University of California, Los Angeles, United States
  • f National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States

Abstract

Most studies of immigrant health are cross- sectional and fail to collect information prior to migration, leading to potential bias and confounding. The present pilot study examines the feasibility of studying migrants prospectively, with baseline data collected before migration. The study followed two cohorts of Filipinos for one year, a migrant cohort (n=27) that emigrated to the U.S. and a second non- migrant cohort (n=26) that remained in the Philippines. The one- year retention rate was 96%. The migrant cohort arrived in the U.S. within two months of their baseline assessment. Migrants and non- migrants did not differ with regard to body mass index, waist circumference, or waist to hip ratio at baseline or at follow- up. It is feasible to conduct a transnational, longitudinal study of two cohorts of Filipinos. This design provides important pre- migration information, is analogous to a natural experiment, can be upscaled, and allows for a rigorous examination of immigrant health. © Meharry Medical College.

Author Keywords

comparative Prospective Study design Obesity Immigrant transnational Asian American

Index Keywords

longitudinal study blood pressure Waist Circumference human epidemiology Longitudinal Studies statistics and numerical data health status Feasibility Studies ethnology Surveys and Questionnaires United States Humans migrant male Emigrants and Immigrants female questionnaire feasibility study adult body mass Body Mass Index Philippines
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84928189995&doi=10.1353%2fhpu.2015.0045&partnerID=40&md5=bd1f1aa715b7a48dd0e072ffe5292c62
DOI: 10.1353/hpu.2015.0045
ISSN: 10492089
Cited by: 6
Original Language: English