Migration background and use of preventive healthcare services: Findings of the German Ageing Survey

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between migration background and the utilization of preventive healthcare services. Cross-sectional data from wave 5 in the year 2014, with a sample size of 7,684 individuals, were extracted from the nationally representative German Ageing Survey. The survey included community-dwelling individuals aged 40 years and above, with migration background serving as the primary independent variable. The outcomes measured included participation in cancer screenings, flu vaccinations, and routine health check-ups. Multiple logistic regressions were used to examine the association between migration background and preventive healthcare services. Regressions showed that the presence of a migration background with personal migration experience (compared with not having a migration background) was associated with a lower likelihood of using preventive healthcare services. More precisely, compared to individuals not having a migration background, individuals with a migration background and personal migration experience had a lower likelihood of routine health check-ups (OR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.61 to 0.95), flu vaccinations (OR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.59 to 0.95) and cancer screenings (OR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.57 to 0.89). In contrast, there was no significant association between the presence of a migration background without personal migration experience (compared with not having a migration background) and the use of preventive healthcare services. In conclusion, results showed differences between individuals without migration background and individuals with migration background (and with personal migration experience) in terms of using preventive healthcare services. It may be helpful to specifically address individuals with migration background (and with migration experience) in terms of using preventive healthcare services.