Perceived health and consultation of GPs among ethnic minorities compared to the general population in the Netherlands.

We have studied differences between the major migrant groups and the native Dutch population related to self-rated health and its sociodemographic determinants, the use of general practitioner (GP) care and the incidence of diagnoses made by GPs. Self-rated health differs significantly between all migrant groups and the natieve Dutch, and clusters in two groups: Surinamese/Antillean and Turkish/Moroccan patients, especially in Turkish/Moroccan females. Turks rate their health worst and a higher percentage visit the GPs at least once a year. Fewer Surinames and Antillean patients visit their GPs than the Dutch do. People from ethnic minorities in good health visit their GPs more often than their Dutch peers. Ethnic minorities who do visit their GPs do it more often than the Dutch. Seven diagnoses in the top 10 of incidence rates were similar in all groups. The incidence rates of acute respiratory infections and chest complaints were significantly higher in all migrant groups than in the Dutch. Ethnicity is independently associated with self-rated health. The higher use of GP care by ethnic minorities in general, especially female, and more specifically the ones in good health, points towards possible inappropriate use of resources. The diagnoses with a higher incidence and the use of prevention need specific attention in these migrant groups. (aut. ref.