The effect of perceived discrimination on the health of immigrant workers in Spain

BMC Public Health

Research Article

Ana M García¹  Emily Felt²  Fernando G Benavides³  Carlos Ruiz-Frutos⁴  Andrés A Agudelo-Suárez⁵  Carmen Vives-Cases⁶  Diana Gil-González⁷  Elena Ronda-Pérez⁸ 

[1] CIBER Epidemiology and Public Health, Spain;Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Valencia, Av. Tarongers s/n, 46022, Valencia, Spain;Trade Union Institute for Work, Environment and Health (ISTAS), C/Ramon Gordillo 7-1, 46010, Valencia, Spain;Centre for Research in Occupational Health, Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona (PRBB), C/Dr. Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain;Centre for Research in Occupational Health, Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona (PRBB), C/Dr. Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain;CIBER Epidemiology and Public Health, Spain;Department of Environmental Biology and Public Health, University of Huelva, Avenida de las Fuerzas Armadas, S/N, 21071, Huelva, Spain;Faculty of Dentistry, University of Antioquia, Calle 64 N° 52-59, Medellin, Antioquia, Colombia;Preventive Medicine and Public Health Area, University of Alicante, Campus de San Vicente del Raspeig s/n, 03690, Alicante, Spain;Centre for Research in Occupational Health, Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona (PRBB), C/Dr. Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain;Preventive Medicine and Public Health Area, University of Alicante, Campus de San Vicente del Raspeig s/n, 03690, Alicante, Spain;CIBER Epidemiology and Public Health, Spain;Preventive Medicine and Public Health Area, University of Alicante, Campus de San Vicente del Raspeig s/n, 03690, Alicante, Spain;CIBER Epidemiology and Public Health, Spain;Observatory of Health Policies and Health, University of Alicante, Campus de San Vicente del Raspeig s/n, 03690, Alicante, Spain;Preventive Medicine and Public Health Area, University of Alicante, Campus de San Vicente del Raspeig s/n, 03690, Alicante, Spain;Centre for Research in Occupational Health, Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona (PRBB), C/Dr. Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain;CIBER Epidemiology and Public Health, Spain;

关键词: Host Country;    Immigrant Population;    Immigrant Status;    Poor Mental Health;    Immigrant Worker;   

DOI  :  10.1186/1471-2458-11-652

 received in 2011-02-15, accepted in 2011-08-17,  发布年份 2011

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundDiscrimination is an important determinant of health inequalities, and immigrants may be more vulnerable to certain types of discrimination than the native-born. This study analyses the relationship between immigrants' perceived discrimination and various self-reported health indicators.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted (2008) amongst a non-random sample of 2434 immigrants from Ecuador, Morocco, Romania and Colombia in four Spanish cities: Barcelona, Huelva, Madrid and Valencia. A factorial analysis of variables revealed three dimensions of perceived discrimination (due to immigrant status, due to physical appearance, and workplace-related). The association of these dimensions with self-rated health, mental health (GHQ-12), change in self-rated health between origin and host country, and other self-reported health outcomes was analysed. Logistic regression was used adjusting for potential confounders (aOR-95%CI). Subjects with worsening self-reported health status potentially attributable to perceived discrimination was estimated (population attributable proportion, PAP %).Results73.3% of men and 69.3% of women immigrants reported discrimination due to immigrant status. Moroccans showed the highest prevalence of perceived discrimination. Immigrants reporting discrimination were at significantly higher risk of reporting health problems than those not reporting discrimination. Workplace-related discrimination was associated with poor mental health (aOR 2.97 95%CI 2.45-3.60), and the worsening of self-rated health (aOR 2.20 95%CI 1.73- 2.80). 40% (95% CI 24-53) PAP of those reporting worse self-rated health could be attributable to discrimination due to immigrant status.ConclusionsDiscrimination may constitute a risk factor for health in immigrant workers in Spain and could explain some health inequalities among immigrant populations in Spanish society.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Agudelo-Suárez et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2011