Self-reported health status in primary health care: the influence of immigration and other associated factors.
OBJECTIVE
The aims of this study are to compare self-reported health status between Spanish-born and Latin American-born Spanish residents, adjusted by length of residence in the host country; and additionally, to analyse sociodemographic and psychosocial variables associated with a better health status.


METHODS
This is a cross-sectional population based study of Latin American-born (n = 691) and Spanish-born (n = 903) in 15 urban primary health care centres in Madrid (Spain), carried out between 2007 and 2009. The participants provided information, through an interview, about self-reported health status, socioeconomic characteristics, psychosocial factors and migration conditions. Descriptive and multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted.


RESULTS
The Spanish-born participants reported a better health status than the Latin America-born participants (79.8% versus 69.3%, p<0.001). Different patterns of self-reported health status were observed depending on the length of residence in the host country. The proportion of immigrants with a better health status is greater in those who have been in Spain for less than five years compared to those who have stayed longer. Better health status is significantly associated with being men, under 34 years old, being Spanish-born, having a monthly incomes of over 1000 euros, and having considerable social support and low stress.


CONCLUSIONS
Better self-reported health status is associated with being Spanish-born, men, under 34 years old, having an uppermiddle-socioeconomic status, adequate social support, and low stress. Additionally, length of residence in the host country is seen as a related factor in the self-reported health status of immigrants.
Fundación de Investigación Biomédica, Hospital Carlos III, Servicio Madrileño de Salud, Madrid, Spain. miguel.salinero@salud.madrid.org
Miguel Á
MÁ
Salinero-Fort
Rodrigo
R
Jiménez-García
Laura
L
del Otero-Sanz
Carmen
C
de Burgos-Lunar
Rosa M
RM
Chico-Moraleja
Carmen
C
Martín-Madrazo
Paloma
P
Gómez-Campelo
D000328:Adult; D003710:Demography; D004641:Emigration and Immigration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007843:Latin America; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D057566:Self Report; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013030:Spain