Modifiable Dementia Risk Factors by Country of Birth among South Asian Migrants Aged 50 or Older in Tasmania,...

South Asian migrants in Australia are a diverse group, with significant differences in history, culture, language, income, education, and other sociodemographic factors. However, these migrants are often studied as one group in health research. The aim of this study was to describe modifiable dementia risk factors in South Asian migrants, ≥ 50 years, from Bhutan, Nepal, Afghanistan, and India. A cross-sectional study was conducted with South Asian migrants from four countries, now residing in Tasmania. Data were collected through survey interviews from October 2023 to August 2024. Differences in modifiable dementia risk factors between groups, based on country of birth, were estimated. 146 South Asian participants completed the survey (mean age 60.7 (SD = 10.1); 57.5% female); 54 were from Bhutan, 52 from Nepal, 22 from Afghanistan, and 18 from India. Afghan respondents had higher risks than Indian and Nepali respondents for hypertension (73.5% vs. 2.5%, 1.1%), hypercholesterolemia (74.5% vs. 14.2%, 5.4%), and diabetes (71.3% vs. 14.7%, 6.7%). Bhutanese respondents had higher risks than Indian and Nepali respondents for hypertension (34.1% vs. 2.5%, 1.1%), hypercholesteremia (61.0% vs. 14.2%, 5.4%), and diabetes (63.6% vs. 14.7%, 6.7%). A greater proportion of respondents from Afghanistan and Bhutan reported a higher risk of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and diabetes than those from India and Nepal. These findings highlight the importance of data stratification within these migrant groups to ensure more precise risk assessment and targeted interventions.