title: Factors Associated with Healthcare Utilization Among Arab Immigrants and Iraqi Refugees.
abstract: Arab migrants-both immigrants and refugees-are exposed to pre- and post- migration stressors increasing their risk for health problems. Little is known, however, about rates of, or factors associated with, healthcare utilization among these two groups. A sample of 590 participants were interviewed approximately 1 year post-migration to the United States. Factors associated with healthcare utilization, including active and passive coping strategies, were examined using logistic regressions. Compared to national healthcare utilization data, immigrants had significantly lower, and refugees had significantly higher rates of healthcare utilization. Being a refugee, being married, and having health insurance were significantly associated with medical service utilization. Among refugees, less use of psychological services was associated with the use of medications and having problem-focused (active) strategies for dealing with stress. Healthcare utilization was significantly higher among refugees, who also reported a greater need for services than did immigrants.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Detroit Mercy, 2700 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Detroit, MI, 48208, USA, daliaelsouhag@gmail.com.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Elsouhag
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Arnetz
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jamil
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Lumley
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Broadbridge
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Arnetz
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D018912:Arabs / Q000523:psychology*; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D019458:Insurance Coverage / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007348:Insurance, Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007493:Iraq / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011340:Problem Solving; D012036:Refugees / Q000523:psychology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology; D014186:Transportation; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology