Challenges in researching migration status, health and health service use: an intersectional analysis of a South London community
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Author(s)
Gazard, B
Frissa, S
Nellums, L
Hotopf, M
Hatch, SL
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Objectives. This study aimed to investigate the associations between migration status
and health-related outcomes and to examine whether and how the effect of migration
status changes when it is disaggregated by length of residence, first language, reason
for migration and combined with ethnicity.
Design. A total of 1698 adults were interviewed from 1076 randomly selected
households in two South London boroughs. We described the socio-demographic and
socio-economic differences between migrants and non-migrants and compared the
prevalence of health-related outcomes by migration status, length of residence, first
language, reason for migration and migration status within ethnic groups. Unadjusted
models and models adjusted for socio-demographic and socio-economic indicators are
presented.
Results. Migrants were disadvantaged in terms of socio-economic status but few
differences were found between migrant and non-migrants regarding health or health
service use indicators; migration status was associated with decreased hazardous
alcohol use, functional limitations due to poor mental health and not being registered
with a general practitioner. Important differences emerged when migration status was
disaggregated by length of residence in the UK, first language, reason for migration
and intersected with ethnicity. The association between migration status and functional
limitations due to poor mental health was only seen in White migrants, migrants
whose first language was not English and migrants who had moved to the UK for
work or a better life or for asylum or political reasons. There was no association
between migration status and self-rated health overall, but Black African migrants had
decreased odds for reporting poor health compared to their non-migrant counterparts
[odds ratio = 0.15 (0.05–0.48), p < 0.01].
Conclusions. Disaggregating migration status by length of residence, first language
and reason for migration as well as intersecting it with ethnicity leads to better
understanding of the effect migration status has on health and health service use.
and health-related outcomes and to examine whether and how the effect of migration
status changes when it is disaggregated by length of residence, first language, reason
for migration and combined with ethnicity.
Design. A total of 1698 adults were interviewed from 1076 randomly selected
households in two South London boroughs. We described the socio-demographic and
socio-economic differences between migrants and non-migrants and compared the
prevalence of health-related outcomes by migration status, length of residence, first
language, reason for migration and migration status within ethnic groups. Unadjusted
models and models adjusted for socio-demographic and socio-economic indicators are
presented.
Results. Migrants were disadvantaged in terms of socio-economic status but few
differences were found between migrant and non-migrants regarding health or health
service use indicators; migration status was associated with decreased hazardous
alcohol use, functional limitations due to poor mental health and not being registered
with a general practitioner. Important differences emerged when migration status was
disaggregated by length of residence in the UK, first language, reason for migration
and intersected with ethnicity. The association between migration status and functional
limitations due to poor mental health was only seen in White migrants, migrants
whose first language was not English and migrants who had moved to the UK for
work or a better life or for asylum or political reasons. There was no association
between migration status and self-rated health overall, but Black African migrants had
decreased odds for reporting poor health compared to their non-migrant counterparts
[odds ratio = 0.15 (0.05–0.48), p < 0.01].
Conclusions. Disaggregating migration status by length of residence, first language
and reason for migration as well as intersecting it with ethnicity leads to better
understanding of the effect migration status has on health and health service use.
Date Issued
2014-10-01
Date Acceptance
2014-09-01
Citation
Ethnicity & Health, 2014, 20 (6), pp.564-593
ISSN
1465-3419
Publisher
Taylor and Francis
Start Page
564
End Page
593
Journal / Book Title
Ethnicity & Health
Volume
20
Issue
6
Copyright Statement
© 2014 The Author(s). Published by Taylor & Francis. This is an Open Access article. Non-commercial re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work
is properly attributed, cited, and is not altered, transformed, or built upon in any way, is permitted. The moral rights of the named
author(s) have been asserted.
is properly attributed, cited, and is not altered, transformed, or built upon in any way, is permitted. The moral rights of the named
author(s) have been asserted.
Subjects
Public Health
1117 Public Health And Health Services
1608 Sociology
1702 Cognitive Science
Publication Status
Published