Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Volume 16, Issue 5, 2014, Pages 790-797

Disparities in Lifestyle Habits and Health Related Factors of Montreal Immigrants: Is Immigration an Important Exposure Variable in Public Health? (Article)

Meshefedjian G.A.* , Leaune V. , Simoneau M.-È. , Drouin M.
  • a Agence de la santé et des services sociaux de Montréal, Direction de santé publique, 1301 Rue Sherbrooke Est, Montreal, QC H2L 1M3, Canada
  • b Agence de la santé et des services sociaux de Montréal, Direction de santé publique, 1301 Rue Sherbrooke Est, Montreal, QC H2L 1M3, Canada
  • c Agence de la santé et des services sociaux de Montréal, Direction de santé publique, 1301 Rue Sherbrooke Est, Montreal, QC H2L 1M3, Canada
  • d Agence de la santé et des services sociaux de Montréal, Direction de santé publique, 1301 Rue Sherbrooke Est, Montreal, QC H2L 1M3, Canada

Abstract

Study disparities in lifestyle habits and health characteristics of Canadian born population and immigrants with different duration of residence. Data are extracted from 2009 to 2010 public use micro-data files of Canadian Community Health Survey representing about 1.5 million people. Sixty-one percent of the study sample was born in Canada; 49 % males and 59 % below age 50. Amongst lifestyle habits, recent immigrants were less likely to be regular smokers, RR (95 % CI) 0.56 (0.36–0.88) and frequent consumers of alcohol 0.49 (0.27–0.89), but more likely to consume less fruits and vegetables 1.26 (1.04–1.53) than those born in Canada. Amongst health related factors, recent immigrants were less likely to be overweight 0.79 (0.62–0.99) and suffer from chronic diseases 0.59 (0.44–0.80), but more likely to have limited access to family medicine 1.24 (1.04–1.47) than Canada-born population. Immigration status is an important population characteristic which influenced distribution of health indicators. Prevention and promotion strategies should consider immigration status as an exposure variable in the development and implementation of public health programs. © 2013, Springer Science+Business Media New York.

Author Keywords

Logistic regression health disparities Cross-sectional Immigration Population survey

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84877144829&doi=10.1007%2fs10903-013-9839-z&partnerID=40&md5=2b56330d5e247ba9532dfac13d10bab7
DOI: 10.1007/s10903-013-9839-z
ISSN: 15571912
Cited by: 3
Original Language: English