Physical and Mental Health of Live-In Female Migrant Domestic Workers: A Randomly Sampled Survey in Hong Kong

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (6) ◽  
pp. 802-822
Author(s):  
Roger Yat-Nork Chung ◽  
Jonathan Ka-Long Mak
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Domestic Workers ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Religious Activities ◽  
Time Frequency ◽  
Employment Conditions ◽  
Migrant Domestic Workers

There has been a rising trend of labor migration globally. Given their alien status within the legal framework of the host countries, migrant domestic workers (MDWs) are especially vulnerable to poor employment conditions that may affect their health status, yet there is still a lack of quantitative evidence in this population hitherto. Using randomly sampled data from a cross-sectional survey of 2,017 live-in female MDWs in Hong Kong, a setting with a high concentration of MDWs, this study examined the association of employment conditions with physical and mental health among the MDWs. We observed poorer physical and mental health status among the MDWs when compared with the general population in Hong Kong. Our findings suggest that employment conditions, including household size, working on the rest day, and housing type, and age were associated with physical health, while employment conditions, including not ever receiving wages on time, frequency of financial remittances, paying the employment agency, having a private room, fulfillment of work-related needs, physical abuse, and discrimination, and sociodemographic characteristics, including age and duration of migration, were associated with mental health. Social support in general did not confound these associations, but religious activities and daily contact with friends were also associated with mental health. Our findings have important implications in designing interventions and policies to improve the physical and mental well-being of this vulnerable migrant population.

scholarly journals 2313

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (S1) ◽  
pp. 73-73
Author(s):  
Nikhil Satchidanand ◽  
Jeffrey Fine ◽  
Gregory S. Cherr
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Physical Function ◽  
Psychosocial Factors ◽  
Health Survey ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mental Health Status ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Physical And Mental Health

OBJECTIVES/SPECIFIC AIMS: To explore associations among bio-psychosocial factors predictive of overall physical and mental health status as assessed using the SF-12 Health Survey. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Community-dwelling, male and female elders with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) were administered an assessment battery to identify factors associated with self-assessed physical and mental health status using the SF-12 Health Survey. The battery included an assessment of pain, depressive symptoms, perceived social support, perceived psychological stress, physical function, as well as selected demographic variables. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Preliminary linear regression analyses have identified several factors predictive of physical and mental health status including depressive symptoms, pain, perceived stress, and physical function. A more in-depth examination using path analysis is anticipated to reveal important mediational associations, wherein physical function is a strong mediator between bio-psychosocial factors and overall physical and mental health status. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: Aging is often associated with a reduction in physical and mental well-being, frequently exacerbated by the development and progression of chronic disease. PAD is a common chronic condition that places significant burden on the older patient and their family. Identifying and developing a more in-depth understanding of the factors that impact health status in PAD is an important and timely objective. We anticipate that our findings will inform development of more targeted and effective intervention strategies we can employ to improve the quality of life among elders struggling to manage PAD.

scholarly journals Perceived Benefits and Harms of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Family Well-Being and Their Sociodemographic Disparities in Hong Kong: A Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 1217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bonny Yee-Man Wong ◽  
Tai-Hing Lam ◽  
Agnes Yuen-Kwan Lai ◽  
Man Ping Wang ◽  
Sai-Yin Ho
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Family Relationships ◽  
Family Income ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Perceived Benefits ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Family Mental Health

We assessed the perceived benefits and harms of COVID-19 on family and their associations with sociodemographic factors in Chinese adults in Hong Kong. We conducted an online population-based survey and collected 4891 responses in 6 days. Prevalence estimates were weighted by sex, age, and education of the general population, and associations were analyzed using logistic regression. Our results showed both perceived benefits: 19.0% for family physical health, 7.2% family mental health, and 13.5% family relationships; and harms: 2.3% for family physical health, 37.9% family mental health, 18.6% family relationships, and 37.8% decreased family income. More female or older respondents reported perceived benefits but fewer of them reported perceived harms. More respondents with higher than lower socioeconomic scores (SES) reported perceived benefits on family physical and mental health and family relationships, but more respondents with lower than higher SES reported perceived harm on family income. As the pandemic continues with uncertainties, further studies on the dynamics of benefits and harms are needed. Urgent and additional assistance to underprivileged families and at-risk individuals are needed to reduce the inequities amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals POSSIBILITIES OF COMPUTER SYSTEMS FOR ASSESSMENT OF PRENOSOLOGICAL CHANGES OF HEALTH

2019 ◽  
Vol 96 (11) ◽  
pp. 1115-1118 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. Bolshakov ◽  
Vyacheslav N. Krutko ◽  
V. I. Dontsov
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Computer Systems ◽  
Statistical Treatment ◽  
External Environment ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Biological Age ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Cumulative Impact ◽  
Age Related

Additionally to the assessment of the external environment for the evaluation of the hygienic welfare of the population it is ultimately important to assess the health status, the index of which should be monitored as early as possible. Prenosological changes are the most early and common, they reflect the cumulative impact of adverse effects of the external environment of very different nature and their evaluation on human health is the most important. For a more accurate and standardized assessment of such effects we have developed a number of computer systems, allowing to estimate both physical and mental health and performance, and also biological age of a person. Our programs involve individual records of customer data, both physical and mental activity in everyday life, the degree of stress tolerance, the presence of occupational hazards, exercise, food tastes etc. Design of programs includes standardized windows: data entry, tabular and graphical output of results in comparison with age-related standards, output of the text and conclusion the database with the ability to view them and compare the results of several visits. Database programs have similar form and can be presented in a ExCel format for the statistical treatment. Overall, we have developed a computer system for the assessment of physical and mental health, working capability and biological age, that is a powerful tool for the accurate and standardized evaluation of the external adverse environmental influences on the health and general well-being, provides ways to an early preclinical diagnosis and environmental well-being and can be widely used in sanitary and hygienic monitoring of the health status of the population.

scholarly journals Interpersonal Ties and Health Care: Examining the Social Networks of Filipino Migrant Domestic Workers in Hong Kong

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 ◽  
pp. 86-102
Author(s):  
Carlos M. Piocos III ◽  
◽  
Ron Bridget T. Vilog ◽  
Jan Michael Alexandre C. Bernadas ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Health Resources ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Domestic Workers ◽  
Social Determinant ◽  
Migrant Women ◽  
The Social ◽  
Migrant Domestic Workers

This paper explores the relationship between the social networks of Filipino migrant domestic workers (FMDWs) in Hong Kong and the accessibility of health resources, especially for migrant women. This study primarily draws evidence from ethnographic interviews with 20 FMDWs in Hong Kong. Likewise, this analysis also relied on field notes from participant observations during formal meetings and informal activities. This paper reveals that FMDWs strategically use their strong and weak ties in managing risks and accessing resources for their health and well-being by deciding among their social network who and what to share regarding health concerns. They conscientiously negotiate their rights and opportunities with their employers, who can also provide access to social and institutional resources. Finally, FMDWs participate in conversations and discourses on health-related policies of their home and host countries with their social network. By focusing on the social networks of FMDWs in Hong Kong, this paper conceptually and empirically broadens conversations about how migration becomes a social determinant of health. Moreover, it illustrates how migrant social networks are organized, activated, and mobilized around discourses on state-crafted health policies towards migrant women.

scholarly journals Physical and Mental Health Status of Adolescents of Government Juvenile Development Centers in Bangladesh

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 7-11
Author(s):  
Md Safikul Islam ◽  
Kazi Safiqul Halim ◽  
Kazi Fardana Mostary ◽  
Atiya Tasnim Muna ◽  
Bushra E Zannat Khan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mental Health Status ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Development Centre ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Juvenile Development

Gradual rising of crime among adolescents is now a social and public health concern worldwide. A total of 1.9 million children getting incarcerated worldwide yearly where in Bangladesh, 1.3 million of children engaged in hazardous job most of them involved in crime. Again, physical and mental well-being is the legal and constitutional rights of the every adolescent including detained adolescent of Juvenile Development Centers. This is a cross-sectional study conducted to assess the physical and mental health status as well as socio-demographic status of adolescents of two Government Juvenile Development Center, Tongi and Konabari, Gazipur from January to December 2017. 191 adolescents were selected purposively (male: female=1.41:1). Data were collected by face to face interview and record review and height and weight of the respondents were measured. The mental health status was measured by WHO-5 Well-being Scale. The age range was from 13 to 17 years. Age of the respondents were significantly correlated with score of the WHO-5 well-being scale (p=0.028). The study observed higher score among respondents who had detained here for more than 2 months which was highly significant (p<0.001). Most of the respondents (75.9%) belong to poor family. The mean score of the WHO-5 well-being scale of the respondent was 52.20±10.0, where 35.1% had good and 64.9% had poor psychological well-being status and higher among male respondents (52.92±10.40) than the female respondents (51.29±9.45). The respondents who were employee prior to this institution had significantly high score (p=0.024). A significant relationship was observed between type of crime and the score of WHO-5 well-being scale (p=0.003). The mean body mass index was 20.26±1.27 kg/m2. Almost every respondent (92.7%) belongs to normal nutritional category. Well-being score of the respondents was significantly increased with the body mass index (p=0.005). This study revealed score of WHO-5 well-being scale was significantly associated with duration of stay of the respondents (p<0.001, R=0.540). Thus this study provides prevalence of mental health status and nutritional status as well as socio-demographic condition of adolescents of Government Juvenile Development Centre in Bangladesh which may provide the Government, sociologists and psychologists valid and reliable data for making plans and policies for improving or updating the living conditions of detainee of Juvenile development Centre. Bangladesh Med J. 2018 May; 47 (2): 7-11

scholarly journals Relationships between Physical and Social Behavioural Changes and the Mental Status of Homebound Residents in Hong Kong during the COVID-19 Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (18) ◽  
pp. 6653
Author(s):  
Ben Y. F. Fong ◽  
Martin C. S. Wong ◽  
Vincent T. S. Law ◽  
Man Fung Lo ◽  
Tommy K. C. Ng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Severe Depression ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Physical Strain

In Hong Kong, social distancing has been adopted in order to minimise the spread of COVID-19. This study aims to examine the changes in physical health, mental health, and social well-being experienced by local residents who were homebound during the pandemic. An online questionnaire in both Chinese and English versions was completed by 590 eligible participants from 24 April to 13 May 2020. The questionnaire found that individuals aged 18 to 25 years spent more time resting and relaxing but experienced more physical strain. Working status was associated with social contact, with participants working full-time jobs scoring higher in “maintaining social communication via electronic means” and “avoiding social activities outside the home”. Additionally, approximately one third of the participants (29.7%) had moderate to severe depression, and participants aged 18 to 25 were found to have higher scores in PHQ-9. Changes in physical health and social contact were significantly associated with developing depressive symptoms. From the results, it is clear that the COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to exert a negative impact on the mental health status of individuals.

scholarly journals Assessing the impact of the European resilience curriculum in preschool, early and late primary school children

2021 ◽  
pp. 014303432110250
Author(s):  
Celeste Simões ◽  
Anabela C. Santos ◽  
Paula Lebre ◽  
João R. Daniel ◽  
Cátia Branquinho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Mental Health Difficulties ◽  
Prosocial Behaviours ◽  
The Impact

Resilience is an individual’s ability to adapt successfully to and persevere during and after significant challenges. Resilience programmes based on a socioemotional learning approach have been associated with an increase in protextive factors (e.g., prosocial competencies), improvements in physical and mental health, and a decrease in internalised and externalised symptoms. The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of the RESCUR curriculum implemented in Portuguese schools on students’ academic, behavioural, and socioemotional outcomes, based on child and teacher reports. Participants included 1,084 children (53.2% male) aged 3-15 ( M = 7.24, SD = 2.31). A quasi-experimental study compared outcomes for an experimental intervention group (AIG) with a waiting list control group (WG). The results showed the RESCUR programme decreased mental health difficulties while increasing both prosocial behaviours and well-being. In addition, academic performance increased for those in preschool after implementation. Both teachers and children consistently reported positive behavioural changes in resilience-related competencies after implementing RESCUR. Our findings contribute to the recent research on the potential of RESCUR to address key socioemotional competencies and improve relevant protextive factors. Study limitations and future recommendations are addressed.

scholarly journals Food for thought: the importance of nutritional well-being during COVID-19

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
L. Burke-Furey ◽  
F. McNicholas
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Life Expectancy ◽  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Crucial Role ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Balanced Diet ◽  
Current Experience ◽  
Roll Out

Individuals with mental illness have poorer physical health, nutritional status, and lowered life expectancy. Optimising their physical and nutritional status has become an increasingly important therapeutic goal. Current experience with COVID-19 has further emphasised the susceptibility to physical illness and poorer outcomes amongst individuals with mental illness and those who are nutritionally compromised. Although life as we knew it has been suspended until the widespread roll-out of a vaccine, individuals can take immediate action to improve physical and mental health by attending to and optimising their nutritional well-being. Clinicians within mental health services have a crucial role to play in assisting such change, and reminding their patients of the importance of pursuing a healthy and balanced diet.

Better a Friend Nearby Than a Brother Far Away? The Health Implications of Foreign Domestic Workers’ Family and Friendship Networks

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (6) ◽  
pp. 765-783
Author(s):  
Jing Ye ◽  
Feinian Chen
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Domestic Workers ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Personal Network ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Daily Contact ◽  
Foreign Domestic Workers ◽  
Reported Health ◽  
Migrant Domestic Workers

Migrant domestic workers provide essential services to the families they live with, but they are not considered a part of the family. As a group, they are not well-integrated into the society and often suffer from social isolation. In this article, we explore the potential health buffering effects of their personal network, in terms of family and friendship ties in both the local community and their home country. Existing literature provides inconsistent evidence on who and what matters more, with regard to the nature, strength, and geographic locations of individual personal networks. Using data from the Survey of Migrant domestic Workers in Hong Kong (2017), we find that family ties are extremely important. The presence of family members in Hong Kong as well as daily contact with family, regardless of location, are associated with better self-reported health. Only daily contact with friends in Hong Kong, not with friends in other countries, promotes better health. We also find evidence that the protective effects of family and friends networks depend on each other. Those foreign domestic workers with families in Hong Kong but also maintain daily contact with friends have the best self-reported health among all.

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