Gaceta Sanitaria
Volume 24, Issue 2, 2010, Pages 136-144

Health and its determinants in the immigrant population of the region of Madrid [La salud y sus determinantes en la población inmigrante de la Comunidad de Madrid] (Article) (Open Access)

Aerny Perreten N. , Ramasco Gutiérrez M. , Cruz Maceín J.L. , Rodríguez Rieiro C. , Garabato González S. , Rodríguez Laso A.*
  • a Subdirección General de Promoción de la Salud y Prevención, Consejería de Sanidad, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain
  • b Subdirección General de Promoción de la Salud y Prevención, Consejería de Sanidad, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain
  • c Subdirección General de Promoción de la Salud y Prevención, Consejería de Sanidad, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain
  • d Servicio de Medicina Preventiva y Gestión de Calidad, Hospital Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
  • e Subdirección General de Promoción de la Salud y Prevención, Consejería de Sanidad, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain
  • f Subdirección General de Promoción de la Salud y Prevención, Consejería de Sanidad, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain

Abstract

Objectives: To describe health status and its determinants in immigrants living in the region of Madrid and to compare these factors with those in the native-born population. Material and methods: We performed a descriptive, cross-sectional study based on data from the Madrid Regional Health Survey 2007 (n=12,190). Subjects were classified as native-born or immigrants born in medium-to-low-income countries and with less or more than 5 years of residence in Spain. The results were adjusted for age. Proportions and means were compared through the ji square test and linear regression. Results: Compared with native-born residents, immigrants were younger, carried out mainly precarious manual jobs that did not match their educational level and had a lower income and less space in their dwellings. Both immigrant men and women smoked and drank less, but women showed a higher prevalence of overweight (10% more) and physical inactivity. Adherence to smear test and blood pressure screening was up to a 16% lower. Attendance at primary care and emergency facilities was less frequent in men and women with less residence time than in those with longer residence in Spain. Self-perceived health and mental health were worse in women with 5 or more years of residence. Chronic diseases were similar in both populations but were less prevalent in immigrants. Conclusions: Immigrants' health status is not as unfavorable as could be expected from the higher prevalence of harmful determinants of health. © 2009 SESPAS.

Author Keywords

Health status disparities immigrants Health surveys

Index Keywords

human middle aged comparative study health status Aged Urban Health Cross-Sectional Studies health Young Adult Humans cross-sectional study Adolescent male Spain female Article adult migration Transients and Migrants
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-77950339632&doi=10.1016%2fj.gaceta.2009.10.007&partnerID=40&md5=d4b5ada309bddb7071d9beb98b050d86
DOI: 10.1016/j.gaceta.2009.10.007
ISSN: 02139111
Cited by: 27
Original Language: Spanish