Absence of protective ethnic density effect on Ecuadorian migrants’ mental health in a recent migration setting: a multilevel analysis

Purpose We aimed to study the association between the Ecuadorians’ ethnic density (EED) of the areas of residence (AR) with the mental health of Ecuadorians in Spain. Methods Multilevel study of 568 Ecuadorian adults in 33 AR randomly selected from civil registries and interviewed at home. Possible psychiatric case (PPC) was measured by scoringC5 inGeneral Health Questionnaire-28. Ecuadorians’ ethnic density was dichotomized in high and low EED (\6 %). Multilevel logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI). Results Prevalence of PPC, 24 % (95 %CI 20–28 %), varied by area of residence. Ecuadorians’ ethnic density varied by area of residence ranging from 0.9 to 19.5 %. PPC prevalence in High Ecuadorians’ ethnic density AR was 29.5 and 20.4 %in low EED AR (p 0.013). Ecuadorians from High EED AR had higher odds of PPC than those from Low EED AR (OR 1.65 95 %CI 1.01–2.72). Adjusting for individual confounders (largely self-perceived discrimination), OR decreased to 1.48 (95 %CI 0.87–2.55). The final model, adjusted by area of residence and educational level, yielded an OR 1.37 (95 %CI 0.78–2.40). Conclusions No protective association between the Ecuadorians’ ethnic density of the Area of residence and Ecuadorian migrants’ mental health was found. Mechanisms underlying beneficial ethnic density effects may be absent in recent migration settings.