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- Title
Self-rated health in a population of expatriate workers and partners in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- Authors
Christopher M. T. Matthews; Mark R. Nelson
- Abstract
BackgroundAnthropological theory suggests that expatriate workers progress through a sequence of adaptive stages during their adjustment to a new environment. The psychological and physiological effects of this adaptation process may be reflected in changes in self-rated general health.AimsTo explore the relationship between self-rated general health, duration of expatriate assignment and two health-related behaviours: physical exercise and cigarette smoking.MethodA self-administered questionnaire recorded the demographics, self-rated general health, exercise and smoking behaviours of the adult non-Saudi residents of an expatriate compound in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.ResultsThe mean self-rated general health of the study group was better than comparable UK and New Zealand population norms. Self-rated general health was not associated with duration of assignment, but was associated with physical exercise, including a doseresponse effect. Middle Eastern expatriates had lower self-rated health scores and a higher prevalence of cigarette smoking than other expatriates.ConclusionsWhile the sampling frame limits generalization, physical exercise may promote expatriates general health. Middle Eastern expatriates may be a target group for smoking health education.
- Subjects
SMOKING; TOBACCO use; CIGARETTE smokers; PREVENTIVE health services
- Publication
Occupational Medicine, 2004, Vol 54, Issue 8, p585
- ISSN
0962-7480
- Publication type
Article