Saima Chaudhry, MD MSHS, General Internal Medicine, Northshore University, 300 Community Drive, 4DSU - Office of Graduate Medical Education, Manhasset, NY 11030, 516-562-2115, schaudhr@nshs.edu and Arlene Fink, PhD, UCLA School of Medicine, 911 Broxton Plz, box 951736, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1736.

OBJECTIVES: Little data exist on receipt of preventive care services (PCS) among South Asians, a rapidly growing population in the US. We determine rates and identify variables associated with receipt of PCS by South Asians. We compare these rates to those of the general population and the goals set forth in the Healthy People initiative. METHODS: A mail survey with question from the 1999 NHIS was sent to a nationwide random sample of South Asians. Data was analyzed by T tests of means, chi squared tests for proportions, and linear regression modeling. RESULTS: 616 of 1508 surveys were returned. South Asians belonged to a high socioeconomic strata (SES) with 47% reporting income of >$80,000 and 51% having a master’s degree. Rates of PCS receipt were: pneumovax (44%), flu vaccine (53%), tetanus booster (61%), screening colonoscopy (35%), mammography (66%), papanicolou smear (74%), blood pressure check (91%), and cholesterol check (75%). Variables associated with receipt of PCS included age (p<0.006), having insurance (p<0.002) and having a usual source of care (p<0.001) These rates closely matched those reported for the general population in the NHIS. Rates were lower than Healthy People goals for influzena/pneumovax (60%), blood pressure check (91%), and pap smear (85%). CONCLUSIONS: Without adjusting for SES, South Asians receive PCS at rates comparable to the general population. Socioeconomic variables retain their significance as predictors of service utilization within high SES groups such as our sample. South Asians should be targeted to reach Healthy People goals for certain PCS.

Learning Objectives:

• At the end of this session, participants will be able to list the proportion of recommended preventive care services that South Asians are receiving, analyze the variables associated with their receipt, and discuss how these rates compare to that of the general population and the goals set forth by the Healthy People initiative.

Keywords: Asian and Pacific Islander, Primary Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.