Sex, Immigration, and Patterns of Access to Primary Care in Canada

Abstract

Access to primary care is crucial to immigrant health and may be shaped by sex and gender, but research is limited and inconclusive. We identified measures that reflect access to primary care using 2015–2018 Canadian Community Health Survey data. We used multivariable logistic regression models to estimate adjusted odds of primary care access and to explore interaction effects between sex and immigration group (recent immigrant: < 10 years in Canada, long-term immigrant: 10 + years, non-immigrant). Recency of immigration and being male were negatively associated with access to primary care, with significantly lower odds of having a usual place for immediate care among male recent immigrants (AOR: 0.36, 95% CI 032–0.42). Interaction effects between immigration and sex were pronounced, especially for having a regular provider or place of care. Results underscore the need to examine approachability and acceptability of primary care services, especially for male recent immigrants.