Drug utilization patterns and reported health status in ethnic German migrants (Aussiedler) in Germany: a cross-sectional study
2011

Drug Use and Health Status in Ethnic German Migrants in Germany

Sample size: 114 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Volodina Anna, Bertsche Thilo, Kostev Karel, Winkler Volker, Haefeli Walter Emil, Becher Heiko

Primary Institution: Institute of Public Health, University of Heidelberg, Germany

Hypothesis

The study investigates drug consumption patterns of ethnic German migrants and their current health status.

Conclusion

Ethnic German migrants have a health status and drug utilization that is similar to the general German population, with some exceptions.

Supporting Evidence

  • 97% of respondents reported having at least one disease in the past year.
  • 51% of respondents regularly took either OTC or prescription medications.
  • 30% of respondents used medicines obtained from their country of origin.

Takeaway

This study looked at how ethnic German migrants use medicine and how healthy they are, finding they are quite similar to Germans.

Methodology

A cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire and phone interviews among a cohort of migrants.

Potential Biases

There may be selection bias due to the low response rate and the demographics of respondents.

Limitations

The study had a low response rate and a small sample size, which limits the generalizability of the results.

Participant Demographics

The sample included 50% males and 50% females, with a mean age of 49.7 years, and 68% had tertiary education.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p = 0.005

Statistical Significance

p<0.01

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-2458-11-509

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