Over-the-counter medication use among Mexican immigrants in Southern Arizona
A cross-sectional study
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22087362 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Estefania Ochoa Mora (University of Arizona, corresponding author), Adriana Maldonado (0000-0001-8227-5048, University of Arizona), Melissa Flores (0000-0002-2550-0816, University of Arizona), Mariella Rodríguez (University of Arizona), Daniel E Martinez (0000-0001-6773-4269, University of Arizona), R M Crocker (0000-0002-5281-2831, University of Arizona), Rebecca Crocker (0000-0001-5659-9305), David O Garcia (0000-0001-6669-9457, University of Arizona) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 13 |
| Pages | 1528486-1528486 |
| Publication date | 2025-08-06 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Frontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565 |
| Publisher | Frontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1528486 |
| PMID | 40843429 |
| OpenAlex | W4413002434 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 39 |
Introduction Over-the-counter (OTC) medication use is high among Mexican immigrants before migrating to the U.S. However, changes in OTC medication use during migration process remain unclear. This study describes OTC medication use patterns among Mexican immigrants in Southern Arizona, explores changes caused during the migration process, and examines the influence of sociodemographic factors on OTC medication use. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted using a purposive community-based sample ( n = 300) of Mexican immigrant adults. Poisson regression model was utilized to assess the relationship between perceived discrimination, importance of health care use, pre-existing chronic health conditions, years living in the U.S. and the number of OTC medications used in the U.S. while adjusting for demographics and number of OTC medications used in Mexico. Results Acetaminophen, NSAID, and supplement use increased post-migration. The number of OTC medications used in Mexico was associated with OTC medication use in the U.S. (RR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.26, 1.45). Men in the U.S. had a 24% lower rate of OTC medication use compared to women (RR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.59, 0.97). Length of stay in the U.S. was significantly associated with OTC medication use (95% CI: 0.00, 0.38; p = 0.002). Divorced/separated individuals had a 29% lower rate of OTC use compared to married individuals (RR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.53, 0.96). Discussion This study is among the first to examine OTC medication use patterns among Mexican immigrants in Southern Arizona. Further research is needed to understand the factors driving these changes and their impact on health outcomes
Cross-sectional study · Demographics · Environmental health · Geography · Immigration · Medical prescription · Over-the-counter · Poisson regression · Population · Antibiotic Use and Resistance · Demography · Medicine · Migration, Health and Trauma · Pharmaceutical Practices and Patient Outcomes · Gerontology · Pharmacology
Migration to and from Latin America
Understanding and Responding to Health Literacy as a Social Determinant of Health
Epidemiology of Antibiotic Use and Drivers of Cross-Border Procurement in a Mexican American Border Community
Consumption of over-the-Counter Drugs
Acculturation and healthy lifestyle habits among Hispanics in United States-Mexico border communities
Resilience of patients with chronic diseases
Addressing Barriers to Primary Care Access for Latinos in the U.S
Gender and national origin differences in healthcare utilization among U.S. Immigrants from Mexico, China, and India
Acculturative stress and Latino depression
Discrimination, acculturation, acculturative stress, and Latino psychological distress
Do immigrants work in riskier jobs
Substitution of Formal Health Care Services by Latinos/Hispanics in the US-Mexico Border Region of South Texas
The Impact of Binational Barriers to Medical Care on the Care-Seeking Practices of Mexican Immigrants
Knowledge of the Stress-Health Link as a Source of Resilience Among Mexicans in the Arizona Borderlands
The maintenance of mexican traditional medicine practices among mexicans in southern Arizona
Moving towards culturally competent health systems
Salud sin Fronteras
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |