Christopher M T Matthews1, Mark R Nelson. 1. King Abdulaziz Medical City, Saudi Arabian National Guard Health Affairs, MC 4040, PO Box 22490, Riyadh 11426, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. chrism_sa@bigpond.com
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Anthropological 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. AIMS: To explore the relationship between self-rated general health, duration of expatriate assignment and two health-related behaviours: physical exercise and cigarette smoking. METHOD: A 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. RESULTS: The 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 dose-response effect. Middle Eastern expatriates had lower self-rated health scores and a higher prevalence of cigarette smoking than other expatriates. CONCLUSIONS: While the sampling frame limits generalization, physical exercise may promote expatriates' general health. Middle Eastern expatriates may be a target group for smoking health education.
BACKGROUND: Anthropological 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. AIMS: To explore the relationship between self-rated general health, duration of expatriate assignment and two health-related behaviours: physical exercise and cigarette smoking. METHOD: A 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. RESULTS: The 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 dose-response effect. Middle Eastern expatriates had lower self-rated health scores and a higher prevalence of cigarette smoking than other expatriates. CONCLUSIONS: While the sampling frame limits generalization, physical exercise may promote expatriates' general health. Middle Eastern expatriates may be a target group for smoking health education.
Authors: Maziar Moradi-Lakeh; Charbel El Bcheraoui; Marwa Tuffaha; Farah Daoud; Mohammad Al Saeedi; Mohammed Basulaiman; Ziad A Memish; Mohammad A AlMazroa; Abdullah A Al Rabeeah; Ali H Mokdad Journal: J Community Health Date: 2015-10
Authors: Ho Young Kim; Ju Young Kim; Hwa Yeon Park; Ji Hye Jun; Hye Yeon Koo; In Young Cho; Jinah Han; Yuliya Pak; Hyun Jung Baek; Ju Yeon Lee; Sung Hee Chang; Jung Hun Lee; Ji Soo Choe; Sun-Kyung Yang; Kyung Chul Kim; Jeong Ha Park; Seul Ki Paik Journal: Global Health Date: 2018-11-29 Impact factor: 4.185