Abstract
The health status of Mexican-American children (MAC) has been difficult to assess because of the lack of data about this population. Utilizing the Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 3, 710 MAC, ages 6 mos. - 18 yrs., were evaluated as to the prevalence of chronic medical conditions, and perceived health status as determined by the physician, mother, and child. The results demonstrated that 140 subjects, or 3.8%, of MAC had at least one chronic condition. There were no differences with respect to poverty status. Physicians rated children (6 mos. - 11 yrs.) in poor health only 1% of the time, while mothers rated them in poor health 15% of the time (P<.001). The national parental norm is 3%. Children 6 years to 11 years and 12 years to 18 years reported poor health 11.3% and 19% of the time respectively. In contrast, the physician's report was 1.2% and 0.7% respectivly. The physician's perception of the child's health status was worse if the child had a chronic condition or lived in poverty (P<.025) while the mother's perception of her child's health was most affected by poverty (P<.001). The child's perception (age 6-12 yrs.) was not associated with either poverty or chronic condition. These results suggest that MAC have prevalence rates of chronic conditions similar to the U.S. norms, but MAC are perceived to be in poorer health by their mothers and themselves than by physicians.
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Mendoza, F., Saldivar, L., Valdez, R. et al. CHRONIC MEDICAL CONDITIONS AND PERCEIVED HEALTH STATUS AMONG MEXICAN-AMERICAN CHILDREN. Pediatr Res 21 (Suppl 4), 259 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198704010-00549
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198704010-00549