Acculturation and Personal Care Product Use Among Foreign-Born Chinese Women: Implications for Endocrine-Disrupting Chemical Exposure Disparity

Abstract

Background: EDCs are linked to adverse reproductive health outcomes, with recent work suggesting EDCs vary by acculturation measures. Personal care product (PCP) use is an important source of EDCs. Few studies have evaluated acculturation and EDC-associated PCP use among Asian women.Methods: We evaluated these associations among 315 foreign-born Chinese women ages 18-45 years, who were living in the US and seeking obstetrics-gynecology care at community health centers (Boston, MA). English-speaking ability and English language use with friends and at home indicated acculturation. PCP use (e.g. deodorant, perfume/cologne) in the past 48 hours was self-reported. We conducted multivariable logistic and Poisson regressions to determine the cross-sectional associations of acculturation measures and the use of certain types and the total number of PCPs, respectively. Latent class analysis was used to identify usage patterns.Results: Those who used more PCP types, overall and by each PCP type, tended to be more acculturated. Higher acculturation was associated with higher odds of using colored cosmetics, nail polish, and perfume/cologne in the past 48 hours. Women who spoke primarily English used 1.15 (CI: 1.01-1.31) times the number of PCP types than their non-English speaking counterparts.Conclusions: A higher degree of acculturation among Chinese women of reproductive age was associated with greater EDC-associated PCP use. These results have implications for adverse reproductive outcomes linked to EDCs.