Ethnicity does not account for differences in the health-related quality of life of Turkish, Moroccan, and Moluccan elderly in the Netherlands

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Niek J de Wit¹  Bas Steunenberg¹  Wynand JG Ros¹  Ilona Verhagen¹ 

[1] Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, 3508 GA, the Netherlands

关键词: Loneliness;    Multimorbidity;    Ethnicity;    Elderly immigrants;    Health-related quality of life;   

Others  :  1164516
DOI  :  10.1186/s12955-014-0138-8

 received in 2014-01-22, accepted in 2014-08-26,  发布年份 2014

【 摘 要 】

Background

Data on how different groups of elderly immigrants perceive health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is scarce and research on the influence of ethnicity on HRQOL across ethnic groups is missing. Measuring HRQOL may help to detect cross-cultural differences and to decide whether ethnic-specific health and prevention programmes are required to improve HRQOL. We investigated differences in HRQOL among three elderly immigrant populations with a special focus on the contribution of ethnicity, in addition to other well-known determinants, to HRQOL.

Methods

Data were collected between October 2011 and July 2012 as part of the project entitled "Stem van de oudere migrant", a quasi-experimental study in the Netherlands focussing on health of immigrant elderly. A survey was conducted among 201 elderly (aged 55 years and older) Moroccans (98), Turks (69), and Moluccans (34). HRQOL was assessed using the SF-12, measuring physical and mental health composite scores (PCS resp. MCS). Chi-square tests and ANOVAs were performed for group comparison. Hierarchical multiple linear regressions were conducted to examine whether ethnicity uniquely contributed to the observed variance in HRQOL when multimorbidity, loneliness, socio-demographics, and acculturation were taken into account.

Results

Moroccans had the lowest scores on PCS (34.3?±?31.4) and MCS (42.1?±?27.0), followed by Turks (45.7?±?27.0 for PCS and 54.7?±?22.2 for MCS), and Moluccans (71.7?±?21.2 for PCS and 74.4?±?22.1 for MCS). Ethnicity was not independently associated with PCS and MCS scores, in contrast to loneliness (PCS ? -0.461, p?p?p?p?p?=?0.026) and attachment to Dutch culture with MCS (? 0.144, p?=?0.029).

Conclusions

The lower level of HRQOL reported by elderly immigrant populations was affected by multimorbidity and loneliness but not ethnicity. Similar to native elders, interventions aiming at improving HRQOL for immigrant elderly should focus on loneliness and (mental and physical) disease. Finally, health literacy deserves attention to maintain health.

Trial registration

ISRCTN89447795 webcite

【 授权许可】

   
2014 Verhagen et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

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