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Chronic Disease Burden Among Bhutanese Refugee Women Aged 18–65 Years Resettled in Northeast Ohio, United States, 2008–2011

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Abstract

The purpose of this community-based study was to assess the prevalence of chronic diseases among 18–65 year old Bhutanese refugee women resettled in Northeast Ohio, United States (US). A Nepali-language questionnaire was administered in a face-to-face mode. Anthropometric measurements included height, weight, and hip and waist circumferences. The overall prevalence (95 % confidence interval) of self-reported hypertension, diabetes, asthma, heart disease, and cancer were 15.3 % (9.2–23.4), 6.4 % (2.3–10.9), 5.5 % (2.0–11.5), 2.7 % (0.6–7.8), and 1.8 % (0.2–6.4), respectively. Overweight/obesity was observed in 64.8 % of the women; 69.5 and 74.1 % had waist circumference >80 cm and waist-to-hip ratio ≥85, respectively. Length of time in the US was not associated with the prevalence of the chronic conditions. This study suggests chronic conditions may be significant health issues among US resettled Bhutanese refugees and a larger population-based study to confirm the findings is warranted.

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded by the Kent State University Initiative for Clinical and Translational Research. We want to knowledge Ms. Pratiksha Shrestha for her assistance with data collection and Ms. Sabitra Dulal for her invaluable role as a community liaison. We would like to express our gratitude to the Bhutanese women of Northeast Ohio for their participation in the study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biostatistics, Environmental Health Sciences and Epidemiology, College of Public Health, Kent State University, P. O. Box 5190, Kent, OH, 44242, USA

    Madhav P. Bhatta, Sunita Shakya, Lori Assad & Melissa D. Zullo

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  1. Madhav P. Bhatta
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  2. Sunita Shakya
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  3. Lori Assad
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  4. Melissa D. Zullo
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Correspondence to Madhav P. Bhatta.

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Bhatta, M.P., Shakya, S., Assad, L. et al. Chronic Disease Burden Among Bhutanese Refugee Women Aged 18–65 Years Resettled in Northeast Ohio, United States, 2008–2011. J Immigrant Minority Health 17, 1169–1176 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-014-0040-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-014-0040-9

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