Self-rated health in a population of expatriate workers and partners in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
BACKGROUND
Anthropological theory suggests that expatriate workers progress through a sequence of adaptive stages during their adjustment to a new environment. The psychological and physiological effects of this adaptation process may be reflected in changes in self-rated general health.


OBJECTIVE
To explore the relationship between self-rated general health, duration of expatriate assignment and two health-related behaviours: physical exercise and cigarette smoking.


METHODS
A self-administered questionnaire recorded the demographics, self-rated general health, exercise and smoking behaviours of the adult non-Saudi residents of an expatriate compound in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.


RESULTS
The mean self-rated general health of the study group was better than comparable UK and New Zealand population norms. Self-rated general health was not associated with duration of assignment, but was associated with physical exercise, including a dose-response effect. Middle Eastern expatriates had lower self-rated health scores and a higher prevalence of cigarette smoking than other expatriates.


CONCLUSIONS
While the sampling frame limits generalization, physical exercise may promote expatriates' general health. Middle Eastern expatriates may be a target group for smoking health education.
Matthews
Christopher M T
CM
King Abdulaziz Medical City, Saudi Arabian National Guard Health Affairs, MC 4040, PO Box 22490, Riyadh 11426, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. chrism_sa@bigpond.com
Nelson
Mark R
MR
D000328:Adult; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008877:Middle East / Q000208:ethnology; D016272:Occupational Health; D012529:Saudi Arabia / Q000453:epidemiology; D012649:Self Concept; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D018454:Spouses; D013997:Time Factors