Date of Award

January 2012

Document Type

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Public Health (MPH)

Department

School of Public Health

First Advisor

Rafael Pérez-Escamilla

Abstract

Acculturation may help illuminate the context of atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease (CHD), and stroke. This systematic review sought to examine the associations between acculturation and atherosclerosis, CHD, and stroke. A search of ten databases in addition to reference lists led to relevant articles. This research limited to quantitative studies conducted among Asian adults in North America, and further selected for those that included measurements of atherosclerosis, CHD, or stroke, to comprise this review. This review included articles of all languages, years published, and publication types. Twenty-nine articles were found that both fit the aforementioned criteria and measured acculturation. Among these studies, only two acculturation measures were reported frequently enough (<=3 studies) to be reviewed: birthplace and duration of residence. Of the 19 studies that fit this revised criteria, 9 offered available associations. A data extraction sheet collected pertinent information from each article. Through this systematic review of literature on the association between birthplace or duration of residence and atherosclerosis, CHD, or stroke, we identified a relationship between duration of residence and birthplace and atherosclerosis, as well as a possible relationship between duration of residence and birthplace and CHD. More research examining the associations between acculturation and atherosclerosis, CHD, and stroke is necessary.

Comments

This is an Open Access Thesis.

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