J Health Care Poor Underserved. 2021;32(2):724-736. doi: 10.1353/hpu.2021.0101.
Prior studies have not examined the association between English proficiency and health among Marshallese adults. Cross-sectional data from 378 Marshallese adults enrolled in a Diabetes Prevention Program study in Arkansas and Oklahoma were used to document English proficiency, assess the relationship between sociodemographic health-related characteristics and English proficiency, and examine the association between English proficiency and general health. Approximately one-fifth of participants reported limited English proficiency (LEP). One-fifth of participants reported being in fair or poor health. General health, age group, education, household food insufficiency, inability to afford necessities, and comorbidities were significantly associated with LEP. Participants with LEP were 78% less likely to report better general health compared with those who reported speaking English very well. Limited English proficiency was high among this sample of Marshallese adults. Findings highlight the need for additional Marshallese clinical interpretation and translation services.
先前的研究并未考察英语水平与马绍尔群岛成年人健康之间的关系。本研究使用了阿肯色州和俄克拉荷马州参与糖尿病预防计划研究的 378 名马绍尔群岛成年人的横断面数据,记录了他们的英语水平,评估了社会人口统计学健康相关特征与英语水平之间的关系,并考察了英语水平与一般健康之间的关联。大约五分之一的参与者报告英语水平有限(LEP)。五分之一的参与者报告健康状况一般或较差。一般健康状况、年龄组、教育程度、家庭食物不足、无力负担必需品以及合并症与 LEP 显著相关。与报告英语非常好的参与者相比,英语水平有限的参与者报告更好的一般健康状况的可能性低 78%。在这个马绍尔群岛成年人样本中,英语水平有限的比例很高。研究结果强调了需要增加马绍尔群岛的临床口译和翻译服务。