title: The influence of poverty and social support on the perceived health of children born to minority migrant mothers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Poverty and low social support are common among minority migrant families. Little is known about their impact on the health of children of minority migrants to Canada. This study examined the associations between maternal perception of child's health and migration status, and examined the specific role of poverty and low social support in these associations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from the first two rounds of the Quebec Longitudinal Study of Child Development (QLSCD) were analysed. The sample included 1990 children at 17 months of age, classified according to their mother's migration status: children of minority migrant mothers (n=165) and Canadian-born mothers (n=1825). Maternal perception of child's health status and social support were measured at 17 months, household income was measured at 5 and 17 months. Multivariable logistic regressions were performed; interactions of migration status with poverty and social support were tested.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Poverty and low social support were more common among minority migrant mothers than among Canadian-born mothers. Children of minority migrant mothers who were 'never poor' and reported high levels of social support were perceived in better health (OR 0.42; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.19-0.91) than children of Canadian-born mothers (reference group). In contrast, children of minority migrant mothers who were 'always poor' and reported low social support were perceived in worse health (OR 6.32; 95% CI: 1.69-23.71) compared to the reference group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In Quebec, economic hardship and lack of social support are common realities among minority migrants with young children. Combined exposure to poverty and low social support is most detrimental to the perceived health of children of minority migrants.
authors.affiliation: Département de médecine sociale et préventive, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada. a.van.hulst@umontreal.ca
authors.forename: Andraea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Van Hulst
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Séguin
authors.forename: Maria-Victoria
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Zunzunegui
authors.forename: Maria P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Vélez
authors.forename: Béatrice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nikiéma
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D002669:Child Welfare / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008429:Maternal Welfare; D054525:Minority Health; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011203:Poverty / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011792:Quebec / Q000208:ethnology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012944:Social Support; D013997:Time Factors; D014171:Transients and Migrants / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*