American Journal of Public Health
Volume 75, Issue 9, 1985, Pages 1080-1084

An exploration of somatization among Asian refugees and immigrants in primary care (Article) (Open Access)

Lin E.H.B. , Carter W.B. , Kleinman A.M.
  • a Department of Health Services, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, United States
  • b Department of Health Services, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, United States
  • c Department of Health Services, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, United States

Abstract

The clinical records of Chinese, Filipino, Vietnamese, Laotian, and Mien patients in primary care were reviewed to determine the prevalence of somatization, its associated patient characteristics, and the manifested illness behavior. Patients in this study were generally poor, unemployed, and spoke little English. Somatization accounted for 35 per cent of illness visits. These visits were also more costly. Refugees had a higher rate of somatization (42.7 per cent) than immigrants (27.1 per cent). Although sociodemographic characteristics did not strongly differentiate patients with somatization from others, ethnicity and indicators of decreased resources such as large households with low income, households headed by single women, or a limited English proficiency were associated with somatization in certain ethnic groups. Somatization is thus an important health problem among Asian refugees and immigrants.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

Short Survey ethnic group social aspect priority journal ethnic or racial aspects immigrant geographic distribution illness behavior primary medical care psychological aspect diagnosis somatization United States human
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0021836133&doi=10.2105%2fAJPH.75.9.1080&partnerID=40&md5=b668ee22614a43540e3caf2a96e1f789
DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.75.9.1080
ISSN: 00900036
Cited by: 89
Original Language: English