P1-40 Experience of discrimination is a significant associate of mental ill-health in Irish travellers. Findings from the all Ireland traveller health study

Abstract

Introduction Traveller are an indigenous minority in Ireland, with poorer life expectancy and health status than the general population. We describe here the self-reported burden of mental ill-health and its associates. Methods A census survey of all Travellers was undertaken, with 8492 enumerated families (80% response rate). A random subset of 1796 adults completed a health survey. Peer researchers employed a novel oral-visual computer data-collection methodology. Age and sex-adjusted logistic regression models were fitted, with one or more days of mental ill-health in the last month as the dependent variable. Results Overall 39% of men (225/580) and 41% of women (495/1211) reported mental ill-health, increasing with age (p=0.001). In a multivariable model, factors associated with increased odds of mental ill-health were poorer physical health (OR 4.7, 95% CI 3.3 to 6.8), being unable to enjoy usual activities (OR 17.2, 95% CI 11.7 to 25.2), regular alcohol consumption (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.0 to 2.3), agreeing that drugs are a community problem (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.3 to 2.6), that nomadism is important (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.0 to 2.2), and increasing experience of discrimination (OR 1.1 per 1-point increase in scale, 95% CI 1.0 to 1.1). Factors associated with reduced odds were male sex (OR 0.7, 95% CI 0.44 to 0.95), rural vs urban living (OR 0.5, 95% CI 0.4 to 0.8), and social supports (OR 0.84 per 10% increase in scale, 95% CI 0.75 to 0.97. AUROC was 0.92. Conclusions This novel study comprehensively profiles associations of mental ill-health in a vulnerable minority community.