Demographic and clinical characteristics associated with trauma exposure among Latinas in primary medical care

ABSTRACT

Latina immigrants are an underserved population with complex medical and mental health needs. This population has high rates of trauma exposure, compounding their health issues. However, little is known about the characteristics of trauma-exposed Latina immigrants who seek health care services. This study analyzes the health records of Latina women (N = 153), most of whom were immigrants, receiving medical and mental health care services at an urban primary care clinic. These women had high rates of trauma exposure and were both medically and psychiatrically complex, with the majority undiagnosed and having no prior trauma-related treatment. Practice implications are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Trauma
• Latino/a immigrants
• primary care

Acknowledgments

We want to thank the Healthcare Alternative Services (HAS) staff, who afforded access and provided the data needed for this study: Marco Jacome, Alicia Mandolini, Ana De Santiago, Sabas Humberto Nava, and Vernalynne Evano.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported in part by a grant from The Chicago Community Trust .