Ethnic and Socioeconomic Variations in Psychiatric Hospitalization and 30-day Readmission in Canada
Abstract
Ethnicity and socioeconomic status have been implicated as determinants of inpatient mental health service use internationally, but there is little Canadian evidence. This thesis uses data from the 2006 Canadian Census linked to the 2006/07 through 2008/09 Discharge Abstract Database (excluding Ontario and Quebec) to investigate the relative prevalence of psychiatric hospitalization and the relative risk of 30-day readmission following a psychiatric hospitalization for adults (aged 25 to 64) across ethnic groups and socioeconomic status, measured by income, education, and employment. Results suggest that the prevalence of psychiatric hospitalization was lower in ethnic minority groups relative to White Canadians, and for those in higher socioeconomic positions relative to those in lower positions. There were fewer statistically significant differences in the risk of 30-day readmission. Future research should explore these trends with data on mental illness severity or access to other mental health care to improve understanding of reasons for hospitalization.