Effect of service barriers on health status of aging South Asian immigrants in Calgary, Canada

This study examined the relationships between service barriers and health status of aging South Asian immigrants. Data were obtained through a structured telephone survey with a random sample of 220 South Asians 55 years of age and older. The effect of the different types of service barriers on the physical and mental health of participants was examined using hierarchical multiple regression, while adjusting for participants' sociocultural demographic backgrounds. An average of 5.9 types of service barriers were reported. Among the four major types of barriers--cultural incompatibility, personal attitude, administrative problems, and circumstantial challenges--more barriers related to personal attitude predicted less favorable physical and mental health. In regard to health prevention, culturally appropriate strategies should be developed and implemented to help aging South Asians to overcome barriers related to personal attitude so that they can have better access to appropriate services.