Background & Aims

Chronic pain is among the top ten most prevalent diseases globally. It is estimated that 20%-40% of the Latin American (LA) and Caribbean population is impacted by chronic pain, making it a considerable public health concern. Nonetheless, there remains a paucity in literature and data examining chronic pain in the Caribbean region of Mexico. Furthermore, skin color has shown to impact social stratification among LA communities, though a gap in research exists examining how these factors influence Hispanics identifying as White versus Non-White experience pain.

The purpose of this pilot study is to quantify how chronic pain impacts Hispanics who identify as White versus Non-White residing on the Caribbean Island of Cozumel, Mexico. The specific aims of this study are twofold: 1) to identify differences in chronic pain between White and Non-White Hispanics, and 2) to evaluate whether individuals experiencing chronic pain report higher levels of social needs.

Methods

To assess the nexus between ethnicity, social needs, and chronic pain, we conducted one time in-person surveys at a centrally located community center in San Miguel de Cozumel. Inclusion criterion included Spanish and English-speaking adults (18+) who reside on the Island of Cozumel. Participants completed a 16-question survey comprising of eleven social needs questions from the American Academy of Family Physicians Social Needs survey, two questions assessing self-reported chronic pain and pain control, and three demographic questions. Frequency and distribution statistics were calculated for each question. Categorical variables were assessed using Chi Square distribution with significance being determined at a level of ?= .05. Point prevalence was determined to compare chronic pain rates in Cozumel to current literature.

Results

A total of thirteen respondents met the inclusion criteria for the survey with six identifying as White Hispanics (46.2%) and seven identifying as Non-White Hispanics (53.8%). There were no respondents of other race or ethnicities. A total of six respondents (46.2%) reported having pain lasting longer than three months with three identifying as White-Hispanics (23.1%) and three identifying as Non-White Hispanics (23.1%). Of the participants with chronic pain, 66% of Non-White Hispanics reported being able to control pain compared to 0% of White-Hispanics (p=.012). In examining the prevalence of social needs with those with chronic pain, 50% of White Hispanics reported food insecurity, 33% reported housing instability and 50% reported utility instability. Point prevalence of food insecurity, housing stability and utility security among Non-White Hispanics with chronic pain were 0%, 0%, and 17% respectively.

Conclusions

This study provides insight into the role ethnic differences play in chronic pain and the ability to manage symptoms in the Mexican Caribbean. The higher point prevalence of chronic pain than what current research describes in the LA and Caribbean region, demonstrates the need to further examine what clinical and social epidemiological factors contribute to the pain burden in this population. Beginning to quantify the significant ethnic differences between White and Non-White Hispanics in their ability to manage pain symptoms, provides the opportunity for future research to address current gaps in biopsychosocial epidemiological pain surveillance. This in turn, will address upstream and downstream factors that optimize patient care. Recognizing the limitations of a small sample size, this study still provides insight for future research to examine the differences in social and cultural constructs that contribute to chronic pain and symptom management in the Mexican Caribbean.

References

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6. Macpherson C, Aarons D. Overcoming barriers to pain relief in the Caribbean. Dev World Bioeth. 2009;9(3):99-104. doi:10.1111/j.1471-8847.2009.00262.x
7. Roth WD, Marin A. The Role of Skin Color in Latino Social Networks: Color Homophily in Sending and Receiving Societies. Sociol Race Ethn (Thousand Oaks). 2021;7(2):175-193. doi:10.1177/2332649220940346
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Presenting Author

Aimee Pehrson

Poster Authors

Aimee Pehrson

MPH, MHA

University of Tennessee Knoxville

Lead Author

Topics

  • Racial/Ethnic/Economic Differences/Disparities