[Use of primary care resources by immigrants and the autochthonous persons who contact the care services in the city of Lleida, Spain].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate and compare the use of the different primary care (PC) services between immigrants and the indigenous population.


METHODS
Cross-sectional observation study of a population seen in (PC).


METHODS
Patients seen by 15 PC doctors, in 5 basic health areas (BHA) in the city of Lleida, Spain, from March to August 2005.


METHODS
All immigrants (1,599 patients of immigrant origin) who seen during the study period were included. A random sample of 300 patients was taken from each of the 15 participating clinics (4,156 autochthonous patients). The autochthonous was considered as those whose country of origin is Spain and the immigrant population those who come from low and medium income countries, regardless of the time of residence in the BHA.


METHODS
Age, sex, type of visit made, and referrals made. Multinomial regression models were used to calculate the relative risk (RR) of having made visits.


RESULTS
Immigrants have a higher probability to make 3 visits than the indigenous population, who would make 1 or 2 visits (RR, 1.23; 95% confidence interval, 1.04-1.91). The estimation of the RR of having made visits is higher in the immigrants for all categories, except nursing.


CONCLUSIONS
Immigrants who come into contact with PC, make more frequent visits to the family doctor and gynaecology, and also have more complementary tests done. However, the frequency of use of the immigrant group for nursing visits seems to be less.
Soler-González
Jorge
J
Family Medicine, Rambla de Ferran Health Centre, Lleida, Spain. jorgesolergonzalez@gmail.com
Serna Arnáiz
Catalina
C
Rué Monné
Montserrat
M
Bosch Gaya
Anna
A
Ruiz Magaz
María Cristina
MC
Gervilla Caño
Javier
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006295:Health Resources / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013030:Spain; D014171:Transients and Migrants; D014505:Urban Population