Identifying the location for the study

6.2.1 Characteristics of Hackney and Tower Hamlets

The 1991 OPCS Census (1993) was the first to collect information on the ethnic origin o f the population in Britain. Previously information had been collected on country of birth but in 1991 the Census asked people to identify to which ethnic

group they considered themselves to belong. Findings from this suggested that about 6 per cent o f the population o f Britain identified themselves as members of non­ white groups, i.e. about three million people. Of those identifying themselves as non­ white, 16 per cent said they were Pakistani, 6 per cent Bangladeshi and 7 per cent Black-African. The 1991 Census also showed that different ethnic groups are not evenly distributed within Britain. The three main foci for ethnic minority

settlements, where almost two-thirds of the ethnic minority population live, are the metropolitan areas o f the South East, the West Midlands and West Yorkshire. Greater London contains 44.6% of all people from the ethnic minority groups (OPCS, 1993). Particular groups were identified as concentrated in particular areas: large numbers o f Bangladeshis and Black Africans lived in inner London; many Indians lived in outer London and the West Midlands; and most Pakistanis lived in the West Midlands and West Yorkshire.

Research on the 1991 census also indicated that the spatial segregation o f ethnic groups is accompanied by their social segregation. Thus, the types o f areas in which ethnic minorities tend to concentrate have very different socio-economic

characteristics from those in which the preponderance o f the white population tend to live.

Historically, Hackney and Tower Hamlets have served as the initial home to many different immigrant groups. Both are inner city areas in East London with health services managed by the North East Thames Health Authority. According to the 1991 OPCS Census, these areas have high levels of social and economic deprivation (Haskey, 1992).

Over half the residents (55%) area classified as social group D and E compared to the national average o f 31%. The proportion of those classified as social class ABs in the area is half the national average: 9% compared to 18%. The 1991 Census also showed that unemployment in these two boroughs among all residents' aged 18 and above (not just those o f working age) is 18%, over double the national level (8%). With the high levels o f unemployment, it is not surprising that as many as 25% of the households have an annual income o f less than £4,500, compared to 4% nationally.

In comparison to the national figures, Hackney and Tower Hamlets consist of a higher proportion of 25-34 years olds (28% compared to the national proportion of

19%), the same proportions o f 18-24 years olds (15%), and a lower proportion o f 45- 64 year olds (22% compared to 30%) (Rudat, Roberts and White, 1993). Although the figures pertaining to the local data were published after the sampling o f this study took place, they do suggest that these areas have a potentially higher than average number o f families with young children as residents.

The survey o f child health clinics undertaken by Harris et al (1983) found the most common health problems identified among young children living in Tower Hamlets to be rickets, iron deficiency anaemia, gastro-enteritis and difficulties with weaning. A comparable survey for Hackney was not available.

6.2.2 The Bangladesh: population in Hackney and Tow er Hamlets

The Bangladeshi population in the UK is predominantly from rural Sylhet, northern Bangladesh, and Muslim. While much o f the male immigration to Britain from Asia

began in the 1950's and 1960's (Jones, 1993), the arrival o f wives and children tended to begin later, the process completing itself in the 1970's for the Indians,

1980's for the Pakistanis, and is still not yet complete for the Bangladeshi (Modood, 1994). Bangladeshi women coming to join their husbands are one o f the few groups still migrating to the UK in significant numbers (Brown, 1984).

Whitechapel is the focus for the community in this area. The Spitalfields Working Party (1984) estimated that the Bangladeshi population represented between 10 -

13% of the total population in the area (the defined area included residents from both Hackney and Tower Hamlets); it predicted that by 1987, the figure would be 15%. An examination o f the age profile for Tower Hamlets indicates that the average age o f the Bangladeshi population was younger than the general population: the Inner London Education Authority figures for 1985 indicated 33% of school age children in the borough were fi*om rural Sylhet. The 1991 Census subsequently identified that Bangladeshi households in this area average almost 5 people each (4.96), the highest average of any o f the ethnic groups in the area, and almost twice the national average (2.46). A further survey o f Hackney, Newham and Tower Hamlets (East London Health, MORI, 1993), found that Bangladeshi households in the area have the highest proportion o f children under 5 years o f age.

Anecdotal reports from local health visitors did not identify systematic differences in the type or degree o f health problems in the Bangladeshi infants living in either Hackney or Tower Hamlets.

6.2.3 The Nigerian population in Hackney and Tower Hamlets

Much less information is available regarding the Nigerian population in Hackney and Tower Hamlets. An explanation for this is the lack of specificity in coding ethnicity which groups all Black Afncans together, making estimates about individual groups impracticable. Anecdotally, the lack o f local reports about the population could indicate that although Nigerians have lived in Hackney for many years, individuals do not tend to stay for more than a few years. This pattern of settlement reflects their motivation for migration: primarily for reasons o f education, as opposed to the Bangladeshi, who as individuals, have settled for a longer period of time.

The information reported here is based on discussions that the author had with local health professionals during the early stages of the project. Nigeria has several

distinct populations: the most common affiliations being Yoruba, Ibo or Hausa. The dominant religion of Nigeria is Islam, although affiliation to a Christian church is more common in the South o f the country. Those living in Hackney and Tower Hamlets were thought to be predominantly Yoruba or Ibo, with a smaller Hausa population, and more Nigerians were thought to live in Hackney than Tower Hamlets. Most of the women come to London to study, or are accompanying their partners who are here as students. The health status of these families was reported to be generally good, although the relationships established with health professionals tended to be short lived as the families moved accommodation frequently. One of the distinguishing child care characteristics of this population was the practice of fostering young Nigerian children to live with families outside London, primarily to allow the mothers to return to work.

6.3 Estimating the available populations and identifying the sampling