Health related quality of life among Iraqi immigrants settled in Malaysia

Abstract

BackgroundMigrants everywhere face several demands for health and maintaining good health and quality of life could be challenging. Iraqis are the second largest refugee group that has sought refuge in the recent years, yet little is known about their health related quality of life (HRQOL). The study aims at assessing the HRQOL among Iraqis living in Malaysia.MethodsA self-administered Arabic version of Sf-36 questionnaire was distributed among 300 Iraqi migrants in Malaysia. The questionnaire taps eight concepts of physical and mental health to assess the HRQOL. Univariate analysis was performed for group analysis (t test, ANOVA) and Multiple Linear Regression was used to control for confounding effects.ResultsTwo hundred and fifty three participants ranging in age from 18 to 67 years (Mean = 33.6) returned the completed questionnaire. The majority was males (60.1%) and more than half of the respondents (59.5%) were married. Less than half (45.4%) and about a quarter (25.9%) reported bachelor degree and secondary school education respectively and the remaining 28.7% had either a master or a PhD degree.Univariate analysis showed that the HRQOL scores among male immigrants were found to be higher than those of females in physical function (80.0 vs. 73.5), general health (72.5 vs. 60.7) and bodily pain (87.9 vs. 72.5) subscales. The youngest age group had significantly higher physical function (79.32) and lower mental health scores (57.62).The mean score of physical component summary was higher than the mental component summary mean score (70.22 vs. 63.34).Stepwise multiple linear regression, revealed that gender was significantly associated with physical component summary (β = - 6.06, p = 0.007) and marital status was associated with mental component summary (β = 7.08, p = 0.003).ConclusionsFrom the data it appears that Iraqi immigrants living in Malaysia have HRQOL scores that might be considered to indicate a relatively moderate HRQOL. The HRQOL is significantly affected by gender and marital status. Further studies are needed to explore determinants of HRQOL consequent to immigration. The findings could be worthy of further exploration.

Health-related quality of life in migrant preschool children

“…The reasons for the decrease in HRQOL are most likely multifactorial, as migrants can face many challenges for health and well-being [11,29]. These are a) more vulnerable socioeconomic situations (parental income, educational achievements, family wealth); b) lower school quality for their children [8,30]; c) less access to health insurance; d) more family-based and general life events [4]; e) differences in health-related lifestyle behaviors; f) racial discrimination; g) cultural and language gaps [11]; h) lack of a cohesive social support and i) parental loss of social relations and increased psychological distress [13] .…”

“…These are a) more vulnerable socioeconomic situations (parental income, educational achievements, family wealth); b) lower school quality for their children [8,30]; c) less access to health insurance; d) more family-based and general life events [4]; e) differences in health-related lifestyle behaviors; f) racial discrimination; g) cultural and language gaps [11]; h) lack of a cohesive social support and i) parental loss of social relations and increased psychological distress [13] . In the study of Mansour et al , grade, employment, family income, insurance and school connectedness were associated with poorer HRQOL [8].…”

“…In view of the increasing proportion of the migrant populations in Europe and worldwide [9] and the known health disparities as a function of migrant status [10], it is thus crucial to measure HRQOL in migrants. Several studies have demonstrated a decrease in the HRQOL in specific adult migrant populations compared to the native population [11,12]. Conversely, and to the best of our knowledge, only one study conducted in Spain addressed HRQOL in migrant adolescents.…”

Qualidade de vida de imigrantes brasileiras vivendo em Portugal

“…Segundo Daher et al (2011), as mulheres apresentaram níveis mais altos de problemas de saúde porque reagem de modo diferente a condições materiais, comportamentais e psicossociais de promoção da saúde. Elas tendem a ser menos empregadas em comparação aos homens e também vivenciam desigualdades em termos de renda e educação.…”

Assessment measures of Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) of migrants: a systematic review

“…Daher et al, 2011), to examine different predictors of HRQoL (e.g. Wang et al, 2010b), to explore a relationship between an initially defined variable and the HRQoL (e.g.…”