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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Jie Hu, PhD, RN, Community Practice, The University of North Carolina @ Greensboro, P.O. Box 26170, greensboro, NC 27402, 256-1025, jie_hu@uncg.edu

BACKGROUND: According to U.S. census 2000, Chinese immigrants are the largest subgroup among Asian American and Pacific Islanders in the United States over the past twenty years with a total of 2.8 million populations. Chinese is also the second largest immigrant group in this country after Mexicans (U. S. Census, 2000). Because of the culture differences, language barrier, and unfamiliarity with the health care systems of the U.S., Chinese immigrants may experience barriers in accessing and utilizing the health care system, which may influence their health-related quality of life (HRQOL).

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to examine health status, service utilization and assess the relationship among predisposing, reinforcing, enabling factors and health-related quality of life among Chinese immigrants.

METHODS: A convenience sample of 76 Chinese immigrants was recruited from churches and a Chinese senior center in the U.S. Instruments used in the study included: a demographic questionnaire, the Suinn-Lew Asian Self-Identity Acculturation Scale and the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form (SF-36) Health Survey.

ANALYSIS: Descriptive statistics was used to describe demographic variables. Pearson's correlation was used to examine the relationships among predisposing, reinforcing, enabling factors and health-related quality of life.

RESULTS: The mean age of subjects was 62 years (SD=13.68), 71% were female and 29% male. A great majority of subjects (92%) had religious affiliation. Thirty-three percent had an income less than $20,000. The majority of the participants (65%) rated their health as good or excellent. Multiple regression demonstrated that age and length of time in the U.S. significantly predicted PCS, the physical component of HRQOL (R2 = .24, F = .273, p < .05), accounting for 24% of variance in the SF-36 PCS. Age also significantly predicted MCS, the mental health component of HRQOL (R2 = .26, F = 2.75, p < .05) accounting for 26% of the variance in MCS.

DISCUSSION: The findings of this study indicate that age and length of time in the U.S. have a substantial impact on HRQOL among Chinese immigrants. The findings suggest that age is an important factor in predicting both physical and mental components of HRQOL.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe health status, service utilization and health-related quality of life among Chinese immigrants.

Keywords: Asian Americans, Health Care Utilization

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No