Recorded presentation

Ravi K. Sharma, PhD, Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, 130 DeSoto St., Room 228, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, (412) 624-3615, rks1946@pitt.edu, Kathleen A. McGinnis, MS, University Center for Social and Urban Research, University of Pittsburgh, 121 University Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, and Patricia I. Documét, MD, DrPH, Applied Research Department, Family Health Council, Inc., 960 Penn Avenue, Suite 600, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.

This study examines health services access and utilization patterns of US Hispanics adolescents under age 18 years classified as: Cubans, Puerto Ricans and Dominicans, Mexicans or Mexican Americans, Central and South Americans and mixed Hispanic, and non-Hispanic White by using nationally representative data. We analyzed aggregated data from the National Health Interview Survey from 1999 to 2002 that includes 234 Cubans, 763 Puerto Rican and Dominican Republic, 3770 Mexican or Mexican Americans, 672 Central Americans and 316 mixed Hispanic and 16365 non-Hispanic White children. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted. Logistic regression indicates that all Hispanic groups are significantly less likely to have a regular source of care than non-Hispanic Whites. Mexicans have significantly lower odds of having a physical examination. All Hispanic groups, except the mixed one (which is not significant) have significantly lower odds of missing school due to illness or injury in the past year than Whites. Puerto Ricans/Dominicans are more likely to have ever been told by a doctor that they have asthma while Mexicans and Central and South Americans have significantly lower odds than Whites. The only Hispanic group having significantly lower odds of having an asthmatic attack in the past year is Central/South Americans. The Puerto Rican/Dominican children are significantly more likely to go to the emergency room for asthma than Whites. Maternal education and income were all significant independent risk factors for health status and health service utilization.

Learning Objectives:

• identify health sevice utilization patterns among Hispanic adolescents
• Describe how National Health Survey Data can be used for studying utilization patterns
• Describe statistical techniques for analyzing data from complex surveys

Keywords: Adolescent Health, Hispanic

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.

Recorded presentation