Atencion Primaria
Volume 40, Issue 5, 2008, Pages 225-231

Use of primary care resources by immigrants and the autochthonous persons who contact the care services in the City of Lleida [Utilización de recursos de atención primaria por parte de inmigrantes y autóctonos que han contactado con los servicios asistenciales de la ciudad de Lleida] (Article)

Soler-González J.* , Arnáiz C.S. , Monné M.R. , Gaya A.B. , Magaz M.C.R. , Caño J.G.
  • a Medicina de Familia, Centro de Salud Rambla de Ferran, Lleida, Spain, Avda. del Segre 3, 5.o, 2.a, 25007 Lleida, Spain
  • b Medicina de Familia, Gerencia Territorial de Atención Primaria, Lleida, Spain
  • c Facultad de Medicina, Universitat de Lleida, Lleida, Spain
  • d Facultad de Medicina, Universitat de Lleida, Lleida, Spain
  • e Medicina de Familia, Área Básica de Salud Eixample, Lleida, Spain
  • f Medicina de Familia, Centro de Atención Primaria Dr. Vilaseca (Can Mariner), Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Barcelona, Spain

Abstract

Objective. To evaluate and compare the use of the different primary care (PC) services between immigrants and the indigenous population. Design. Cross-sectional observation study of a population seen in (PC). Setting. Patients seen by 15 PC doctors, in 5 basic health areas (BHA) in the city of Lleida, Spain, from March to August 2005. Participants. All immigrants (1599 patients of immigrant origin) who seen during the study period were included. A random sample of 300 patients was taken from each of the 15 participating clinics (4156 autochthonous patients). The autochthonous was considered as those whose country of origin is Spain and the immigrant population those who come from low and medium income countries, regardless of the time of residence in the BHA. Primary measurements. Age, sex, type of visit made, and referrals made. Multinomial regression models were used to calculate the relative risk (RR) of having made visits. Results. Immigrants have a higher probability to make 3 visits than the indigenous population, who would make 1 or 2 visits (RR, 1.23; 95% confidence interval, 1.04-1.91). The estimation of the RR of having made visits is higher in the immigrants for all categories, except nursing. Conclusions. Immigrants who come into contact with PC, make more frequent visits to the family doctor and gynaecology, and also have more complementary tests done. However, the frequency of use of the immigrant group for nursing visits seems to be less.

Author Keywords

Primary care immigrants Frequent use

Index Keywords

immigrant primary medical care regression analysis lowest income group indigenous people human risk assessment health service controlled study Aged cross-sectional study male Spain female patient referral Article health care utilization major clinical study adult random sample physician
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-44149088155&doi=10.1157%2f13120588&partnerID=40&md5=71b331cca4252e63aa310eac09158008
DOI: 10.1157/13120588
ISSN: 02126567
Cited by: 18
Original Language: English; Spanish