scholarly journals Migrant workers occupational health research: an OMEGA-NET working group position paper

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emine Aktas ◽  
Barbara Bergbom ◽  
Lode Godderis ◽  
Bertina Kreshpaj ◽  
Mario Marinov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Occupational Health ◽  
Migrant Workers ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Position Paper ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Access To Health ◽  
Cross Sectional Studies ◽  
Occupational Health Research

Abstract Objective The aims of the study were: (1) to clarify the definitions of “migrant” used in occupational health research; (2) to summarize migrant workers’ industry sectors, occupations and employment conditions; (3) to identify the occupational health and safety services available to migrant workers; (4) to summarize work-related health problems found among migrant workers; (5) to identify the methodological challenges to research into occupational health of migrant workers; and (6) to recommend improvements in migrant occupational health research. Methods This position paper was prepared by researchers from several European countries and Australia, working within the EU COST Action OMEGA-NET. The paper drew on two recent systematic reviews on the occupational health of international migrant workers and other literature, and also identified uncertainties and gaps in the research literature. Migrants may, for example, be temporary or permanent, moving for specific jobs migrants or other reasons. Their ethnicity and language capabilities will affect their work opportunities. Results The occupational health literature seldom adequately identifies the heterogeneity or characteristics of the migrant group being studied. Migrants tend to work in more physically and mentally demanding environments with higher exposures than native workers. Migrants tend to have an increased risk of physical and mental ill health, but less access to health care services. This has been demonstrated recently by high rates of COVID-19 and less access to health care. There have been a number of cross-sectional studies of migrant health but few long-term cohort studies were identified. Other study designs, such as registry-based studies, surveys and qualitative studies may complement cross-sectional studies. Mixed-methodology studies would be valuable in research on migrants’ occupational health. Language and lack of trust are barriers to migrant research participation. Conclusion Targeted research, especially longitudinal, identifying how these economically important but often-vulnerable workers can be best assisted is needed. Researchers should identify the characteristics of the migrant workers that they are studying including visa/migration circumstances (temporary, permanent, undocumented), racial and ethnic characteristics, existing skills and language abilities.

scholarly journals The role of psychosocial determinants in predicting adherence to treatment in patient with hypertension

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 8-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Reza Asgari ◽  
Hamid Bouraghi ◽  
Ali Mohammadpour ◽  
Mina Haghighat ◽  
Raheleh Ghadiri
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Perceived Social Support ◽  
Correlation Study ◽  
Adherence To Treatment ◽  
Treatment Access ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Access To Health

Introduction Non-adherence in patients with hypertension directly exacerbates clinical outcomes. The purpose of the present research is to study the recognition of the relationships between the perceived social support and self-efficacy and the satisfaction of health care agents and the interaction of the patient with therapeutic personnel and access to health care and the behaviors of adherence to treatment in the patients who suffer hypertension. Materials and methods This descriptive cross-sectional correlation study recruited 250 patients from a specialized hypertension clinic in Semnan, who completed the following questionnaires: Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, self-efficacy, adherence to treatment, access to and satisfaction with health care, and the patient’s interaction with treatment personnel. Results An overall statistical description of the sample consists of 89 (35.6%) men and 161 (64.4%) women (SD = 10.41, range = 51.98). Regression coefficient of previous variables (three steps) shows that self-efficacy share, consent form civil services, and job could demonstrate with 99% certainty in the changes of treatment conformity in a meaningful way. Conclusions High self-efficacy, satisfaction with health care, and a favorable job have a high direct effect on adherence to treatment in patients with hypertension and controlling hypertension. Social support and education do not have a significant impact on adherence to treatment.

scholarly journals Patient-physician communication about financial problems: A cross-sectional study among over-indebted individuals

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Warth ◽  
Marie-Therese Puth ◽  
Ulrike Zier ◽  
Niklas Beckmann ◽  
Johannes Porz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Status ◽  
General Practitioner ◽  
Educational Level ◽  
Financial Distress ◽  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Physician Communication ◽  
Financial Problems ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Access To Health

Abstract Background About every tenth household across Europe is unable to meet payment obligations and living expenses on an ongoing basis and is thus considered over-indebted. Previous research suggests that over-indebtedness reflects a potential cause and consequence of psychosomatic health problems and limited access to health care. However, it is unclear whether those affected discuss their financial problems with general practitioners that often serve as patients’ initial medical contact. Therefore, this study examined patient-physician communication about financial problems in general practice among over-indebted individuals. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey among clients of 70 debt advice agencies in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, in 2017. We assessed the prevalence of patient-physician communication about financial problems and its association with patient characteristics using descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis. Of 699 individuals who returned the questionnaire (response rate: 50.2%), we included 598 respondents enrolled in statutory health insurance with complete outcome data in the analyses. Results Less than one fourth of respondents had ever discussed financial problems with their general practitioner (n=135; 22.6%). Individuals with a high educational level were less likely to communicate about financial problems compared to those with medium educational level (aOR 0.11; 95% CI 0.01-0.83) after adjustment for other sociodemographic characteristics, health status and measures of financial distress. Those without a migrant background (aOR 2.09; 95% CI 1.32-3.32), the chronically ill (aOR 1.90; 95% CI 1.16-3.13) and individuals who reported high financial distress (aOR 2.15; 95% CI 1.22-3.78) and cutting on necessities to pay for medications (aOR 1.86; 95% CI 1.12-3.09) were more likely to report communication than their counterparts after adjustment. Conclusions Few over-indebted individuals discussed financial problems with their general practitioner. The findings suggest that patients’ health status, coping strategies and perception of financial distress might contribute to variations in disclosure of financial problems. Thus, enhancing communication and screening by routine assessment of financial problems in clinical practice can help to identify vulnerable patients and promote access to health care and social services and well-being for all.

scholarly journals Validation of Short Measures of Work Ability for Research and Employee Surveys

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (18) ◽  
pp. 3386 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie Ebener ◽  
Hans Hasselhorn
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Health ◽  
Work Ability ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Rank Correlation ◽  
Similar Degree ◽  
Work Ability Index ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Dimensional Measure ◽  
Methodological Considerations ◽  
Occupational Health Research

Work ability (WA) is an important concept in occupational health research and for over 30 years assessed worldwide with the Work Ability Index (WAI). In recent years, criticism of the WAI is increasing and alternative instruments are presented. The authors postulate that theoretical and methodological issues need to be considered when developing alternative measures for WA and conclude that a short uni-dimensional measure is needed that avoids conceptual blurring. The aim of this contribution is to validate the short and uni-dimensional WAI components WAI 1 (one item measuring “current WA compared with the lifetime best”) and WAI 2 (two items assessing “WA in relation to the [mental/physical] demands of the job”). Cross-sectional and 12-month follow-up data of two large samples was used to determine construct validity of WAI 1 and WAI 2 and to relate this to respective results with the WAI. Data sources comprise nurses in Europe investigated in the European NEXT-Study (Sample A; Ncross-sectional = 28,948 and NLongitudinal = 9462, respectively) and nursing home employees of the German 3Q-Study (Sample B) where nurses (N = 786; 339, respectively) and non-nursing workers (N = 443; 196, respectively) were included. Concurrent and predictive validity of WAI 1 and WAI 2 were assessed with self-rated general health, burnout and considerations leaving the profession. Spearman rank correlation (ρ) with bootstrapping was applied. In all instances, WAI 1 and WAI 2 correlated moderately, and to a similar degree, with the related constructs. Further, WAI 1 and 2 correlated with WAI moderately to strongly with ρ ranging from 0.72–0.76 (WAI 1) and 0.70–0.78 (WAI 2). Based on the findings and supported by theoretical and methodological considerations, the authors confirm the feasibility of the short measures WAI 1 and WAI 2 for replacing WAI at least in occupational health research and employee surveys.

scholarly journals Gender minority stress and access to health care services among transgender women and transfeminine people: results from a cross-sectional study in China

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yongjie Sha ◽  
Willa Dong ◽  
Weiming Tang ◽  
Lingling Zheng ◽  
Xi Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Minority Stress ◽  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Gender Minority ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Access To Health ◽  
And Gender

Abstract Background Transgender and gender diverse individuals often face structural barriers to health care because of their gender minority status. The aim of this study was to examine the association between gender minority stress and access to specific health care services among transgender women and transfeminine people in China. Methods This multicenter cross-sectional study recruited participants between January 1st and June 30th 2020. Eligible participants were 18 years or older, assigned male at birth, not currently identifying as male, and living in China. Gender minority stress was measured using 45 items adapted from validated subscales. We examined access to health care services and interventions relevant to transgender and gender diverse people, including gender affirming interventions (hormones, surgeries), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) testing, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). Multivariable regression was used to measure correlations between gender minority stress and access to health care service. Results Three hundred and twenty-four people completed a survey and data from 277 (85.5%) people were analyzed. The mean age was 29 years old (standard deviation [SD] = 8). Participants used hormones (118/277, 42.6%), gender affirming surgery (26/277, 9.4%), HIV testing (220/277, 79.4%), STI testing (132/277, 47.7%), PrEP (24/276, 8.7%), and PEP (29/267, 10.9%). Using gender affirming hormones was associated with higher levels of discrimination (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.41, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.17–1.70) and internalized transphobia (aOR 1.06, 95%CI 1.00–1.12). STI testing was associated with lower levels of internalized transphobia (aOR 0.91, 95%CI 0.84–0.98). Conclusions Our data suggest that gender minority stress is closely related to using health services. Stigma reduction interventions and gender-affirming medical support are needed to improve transgender health.

scholarly journals Access to health care for patients with thalassaemia in Greece: a cross-sectional study

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (12) ◽  
pp. 1482-1492
Author(s):  
Kyriakos Souliotis ◽  
Christina Golna ◽  
Sofia Nikolaidi ◽  
Georgia Vatheia
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Access To Care ◽  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Social Needs ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Outpatient Services ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Beta Thalassaemia ◽  
Access To Health

Background: The prevalence and clinical burden of beta-thalassaemia in Greece is high. Little information is available on the unmet needs of patients with beta-thalassaemia and barriers to access to care. Aims: This study investigated barriers that patients with transfusion-dependent beta-thalassaemia in Greece face when accessing care and the associations between socioeconomic factors and access to care. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between November 2018 and January 2019. The sample consisted of 116 beta-thalassaemia patient-members of two Panhellenic patient associations for people with thalassaemia. All respondents were transfusion-dependent. The survey customized and used the Patient Access Partnership 5As of access tool to measure participants’ access to health care services (subscales: accessibility, adequacy, affordability, appropriateness and availability). Data on their socioeconomic characteristics were also recorded. The association between the total score of each subscale and patient characteristics was examined using the Mann–Whitney or Kruskal–Wallis tests. Results: Respondents considered inpatient services less adequate and appropriate, and outpatient services and laboratory tests less affordable. Outpatient services were also perceived as less available. Participants’ income was statistically significantly associated with all the subscales except accessibility, and rural residence was significantly associated with all five subscales. Conclusion: Barriers in access to health care among beta-thalassaemia patients receiving transfusions still persist, especially for those who live far from transfusion centres and have lower incomes. It is important to understand and map current unmet medical and social needs of beta-thalassaemia patients in Greece, in order to design and implement a targeted health policy that can measurably improve patients’ lives.

Indicators of child health in pastoral communities in the Karakoram and Hindukush mountains, Pakistan

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Spenta Kakalia ◽  
Admin
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Dairy Products ◽  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Health Indicators ◽  
Northern Pakistan ◽  
High Mountains ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Access To Health ◽  
Pastoral Communities ◽  
Women And Children

Abstract Pastoralism is practiced in remote parts of the Karakoram and Hindukush high mountains, which sprawl across Northern Pakistan, with women and children travelling to high pastures with their animals during summer. There is no road access; glaciers and hazardous terrain accentuate their remoteness. This was a cross-sectional observational study, carried out along Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan’s Wakhan province. A questionnaire was used to collect basic health data. Height / length, and weight were also measured; 35 children were included in the study. This paper offers preliminary conclusions about health indicators and access to health care. For children in the pastures, health care, and other amenities entail long and sometimes hazardous journeys. Living at high altitudes with their livestock, nutrition consists almost exclusively of wheat (roti) and dairy products. Continuous...

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