A comparison of utilization of community primary health care and school health services by urban Mexican-American and Anglo elementary school children

Abstract

The health care utilization of urban Mexican-American and Anglo elementary school children was recorded at school and community primary-care sites over a 1-year period. No significant differences were found between the two groups with respect to visiting/nonvisiting behavior or frequency of visits. Two unobtrusive measures were used to ascertain the degree of acculturation of the Mexican-American children and their parents: return of Spanish-language questionnaire and enrollment of the child in bilingual classes. No significant differences were found in the proportion of visitors/nonvisitors in each group or the total number of visits for health services among these children. Mexican-American and Anglo children did not differ in the type of health problems presented, except that fewer Mexican-American than Anglo children had visits for emotional, behavioral or learning problems. Results indicate that when health services are available and accessible, and when the barriers of language and income are minimized, Mexican-American and Anglo children do not differ in their use of health services in the community.