Measuring Acculturation and Health of Indian Women Living in Australia (MAHILA) study questionnaire

Background: Numerous chronic conditions, such as coronary health diseases,
diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases and mental health conditions often
occur in combinations that deteriorate the quality of life of the people
and pose economic challenges to the country’s health system.
Multimorbidity prevalence varies globally due to various biological and
social risk factors which can be accentuated or mitigated for populations
in migration. This study investigated the prevalence and predictors of
multimorbidity amongst a group of migrant Asian Indian women living in
Australia. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study design using
convenience sampling investigated the multimorbidity risk factors among
first generation migrant Asian Indian women in Australia. This study was
part of a larger study titled “Measuring Acculturation and Psychological
Health of Senior Indian Women Living in Australia” that was conducted in
Sydney, Australia. Data were collected using validated instruments as well
as investigator developed questions. Women completed questionnaire surveys
either by themselves or through the assistance of bilingual coordinators
as English was not their first language. Results: 26% of the participants
had one chronic condition and 74% had multimorbidities. The prevalence of
individual conditions included cardiovascular disease 67.0%,
osteoarthritis 57.6%, depression 37.4%, diabetes 31.5%, chronic
respiratory conditions 10.8%, cancer 4.9%, and nephrological problems
1.47%. In the unadjusted model, factors such as increasing age, education
level, employment status, living arrangements, low physical activity, and
elements of acculturative stress were significantly associated with
multimorbidity. Multi-variable analysis identified the acculturative
stress factor of ‘threat to ethnic identity’ as a predictor of
multimorbidity. Conclusions: Identifying the key determinants of
multimorbidity in older adults from a migrant community with pre-existing
risk factors can assist with the development of culturally appropriate
strategies to identify people at risk of health conditions and to mitigate
the health effects of acculturative stress.