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BMC Public Health
Published in: BMC Public Health 1/2011

Open Access 01-12-2011 | Research article

The effect of perceived discrimination on the health of immigrant workers in Spain

Authors: Andrés A Agudelo-Suárez, Elena Ronda-Pérez, Diana Gil-González, Carmen Vives-Cases, Ana M García, Carlos Ruiz-Frutos, Emily Felt, Fernando G Benavides

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2011

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Abstract

Background

Discrimination is an important determinant of health inequalities, and immigrants may be more vulnerable to certain types of discrimination than the native-born. This study analyses the relationship between immigrants' perceived discrimination and various self-reported health indicators.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted (2008) amongst a non-random sample of 2434 immigrants from Ecuador, Morocco, Romania and Colombia in four Spanish cities: Barcelona, Huelva, Madrid and Valencia. A factorial analysis of variables revealed three dimensions of perceived discrimination (due to immigrant status, due to physical appearance, and workplace-related). The association of these dimensions with self-rated health, mental health (GHQ-12), change in self-rated health between origin and host country, and other self-reported health outcomes was analysed. Logistic regression was used adjusting for potential confounders (aOR-95%CI). Subjects with worsening self-reported health status potentially attributable to perceived discrimination was estimated (population attributable proportion, PAP %).

Results

73.3% of men and 69.3% of women immigrants reported discrimination due to immigrant status. Moroccans showed the highest prevalence of perceived discrimination. Immigrants reporting discrimination were at significantly higher risk of reporting health problems than those not reporting discrimination. Workplace-related discrimination was associated with poor mental health (aOR 2.97 95%CI 2.45-3.60), and the worsening of self-rated health (aOR 2.20 95%CI 1.73- 2.80). 40% (95% CI 24-53) PAP of those reporting worse self-rated health could be attributable to discrimination due to immigrant status.

Conclusions

Discrimination may constitute a risk factor for health in immigrant workers in Spain and could explain some health inequalities among immigrant populations in Spanish society.
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Metadata
Title
The effect of perceived discrimination on the health of immigrant workers in Spain
Authors
Andrés A Agudelo-Suárez
Elena Ronda-Pérez
Diana Gil-González
Carmen Vives-Cases
Ana M García
Carlos Ruiz-Frutos
Emily Felt
Fernando G Benavides
Publication date
01-12-2011
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2011
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-11-652

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