Paper
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Epidemiological Health Survey of a Colonia Located on the Border between El Paso, Texas and Juarez, Mexico
Robert Anders, DrPH, APRN, CS, CNAA1, Tom Olson, PhD, APRN, BC1, Kris Robinson, PhD, FNP1, John Wiebe, PhD2, Jeri Sias, Pharm, D3, Rena DiGregorio, RN, MSN1, Mina Guillermina, RN, MSN1, Justin Albrechtsen, BA, MA2, and Melcor Ortiz, PhD4. (1) School of Nursing, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA, (2) Psychology, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA, (3) College of Health Science, Dept of Pharmacy, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA, (4) School of Public Health El Paso Campus, University of Texas at Houston Health Science Center, El Paso, TX, USA
| Learning Objective #1: identify at least three health disparities facing residents of a colonia located along the US Mexico border. |
| Learning Objective #2: discuss implications for future research and policy development. |
Little is known about how health disparities affect the health status and general health perceptions of Hispanics. The purpose of this study was to conduct an epidemiological investigation of participants living in a colonia community on the border between El Paso, Texas and Juarez, Mexico. Household sampling included 217 participants (53% response rate). Instruments included a demographic questionnaire, the SASH, ISS, CAGE, and the SF36 v2. Mean years of education was 9.6. Average annual household income was $19,945 and 13% of the sample admitted to binge drinking. Nearly 80% had a CAGE score greater than 2. The self-report rate of diabetes was around 15%, 18% were depressed, and 16.5% were suffering from an anxiety disorder. The SF36 composite functional health scores mirrored the national norms. SASH score was 23.1. The average resident of the colonia has many health disadvantages when compared to other parts of El Paso and Texas.