scholarly journals Reproductive health at conflict borders: a cross-sectional survey of human rights violations and perinatal outcomes at the Thai-Myanmar border

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie M. Koning ◽  
Kaylee Scott ◽  
James H. Conway ◽  
Mari Palta
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Migrant Workers ◽  
Legal Status ◽  
Perinatal Outcomes ◽  
Perinatal Health ◽  
Human Rights Violations ◽  
Residential Setting ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Precarious Legal Status

Abstract Background Human rights violations (HRVs) are common in conflict and displacement contexts. Women are especially vulnerable to HRVs in these contexts, and perinatal health is acutely sensitive to related stressors and health care barriers. However, how HRVs affect immediate and long-term perinatal health in chronic displacement settings has not been closely investigated. Furthermore, it remains unclear whether and how HRVs in these contexts are tied directly to displacement circumstances or other marginalizing factors affecting local migrant and minority populations generally. Methods We investigated these questions using novel survey data from 577 women at the northern Thai-Myanmar border, where thousands of people have fled conflict in Shan State, Myanmar, for refuge in a range of precarious settings in Thailand, including unofficial refugee camps, villages, and worksites. We compared HRV exposures by ethnicity, country of birth, legal documentation, and residential setting. We then analyzed perinatal outcomes associated with HRV frequency, timing, and type. Results Birth in Myanmar, and ethnic minority and precarious legal status more broadly, predicted higher HRV prevalence. HRV frequency significantly predicted unmet antenatal care and lower birth weight, along with HRVs related to labor exploitation and violence or conflict. HRVs timed closer to pregnancies were more adversely associated with perinatal outcomes. Resource/property deprivation was the strongest predictor of pregnancy complications. Conclusions Human rights must be urgently attended to, through expanded HRV screenings and responsive care, and policy changes to further protect migrant workers, displaced persons, and others in precarious legal status situations.

scholarly journals Knowing is Not Enough: Migrant Workers’ Spouses Vulnerability to HIV

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
N Aryal ◽  
PR Regmi ◽  
E V Teijlingen ◽  
D Dhungel ◽  
G Ghale ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Risk ◽  
Migrant Workers ◽  
Good Knowledge ◽  
Cluster Sampling ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Rural Villages ◽  
Younger Women ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
And Migration

Introduction: Male migrants and their sexual partners at home are at increased risk of STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections) including HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). We aimed to assess the knowledge and attitudes of migrants’ wives regarding HIV and STIs, and to understand risk perception of HIV due to their husbands’ sexual behaviour. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey among 182 migrants’ wives was conducted in two rural villages of Chitwan district in Nepal. The participants were selected through multistage cluster sampling method and data were collected through a questionnaire administered through a face-to-face interview. Results: Nearly all (94%) of migrants’ wives had a good knowledge of HIV, however with some misconceptions. More than two-thirds of the participating migrants’ wives were aware about the risk of HIV infection in migrant husbands and subsequent risk of transmitting themselves through sexual intercourse. Nearly half of the participants reported inability to ask their husbands about HIV and STIs even if they had their doubts. Knowledge of HIV and HIV risk associated with migration were statistically significantly higher in younger women, those who were literate and the longer the period of their husbands’ migration. Conclusion: Despite having generally a good knowledge and awareness of HIV and migration induced HIV risk; migrants’ wives could not discuss sexual health issues with their husbands, thus increasing their vulnerability to HIV and STIs.SAARC J TUBER LUNG DIS HIV/AIDS, 2016; XIII(1), page: 9-15

Networks of Resilience: Legal Precarity and Transborder Citizenship among the Karen from Myanmar in Thailand

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-89
Author(s):  
Indrė Balčaitė
Keyword(s):  
Migrant Workers ◽  
Legal Status ◽  
Life Stories ◽  
The Political ◽  
Critical Research ◽  
The Social ◽  
And Migration ◽  
Karen Refugees ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Precarious Legal Status

AbstractThis study probes the relationship between legal precarity and transborder citizenship through the case of the Karen from Myanmar in Thailand. Collected through ethnographic multi-sited fieldwork between 2012 and 2016, interconnected individual life stories evolving across the Myanmar-Thailand border allow the critical interrogation of the political and legal categories of ‘migrancy’, ‘refugeeness’, and ‘citizenship’, teasing out their blurry boundaries in migrants’ experience. Following the recent critical research in legal ethnography, this study demonstrates that legal precarity is not simply an antithesis to citizenship. The social and legal dimensions of citizenship may diverge, creating in-between areas of not-yet-full-citizenship with varying levels of heft (Macklin 2007). The article consists of three parts. First, it offers a theoretical framework to reconcile the Karen legal precarity (even de facto statelessness) and citizenship, even on both sides of the border (legally impossible). Second, it presents the three groups of Karen in Thailand, produced by the interaction of three major waves of Karen eastward migration and tightening Thai citizenship and migration regulations: Thai Karen, refugees, and migrant workers. All three face varying levels of legal precarity of temporary status without full citizenship. However, the last part demonstrates the intertwined nature of those groups. A grassroots transborder perspective reveals the resilience of the Karen networks when pooling together resources of the hubs established on Thai soil by the three waves. Even the most recent arrivals in Thailand use those resources to move from one precarious legal status to another and even to clandestinely obtain citizenship.

scholarly journals Triply Exploited: Female Victims of Smuggling and Trafficking Networks Strategies for Pursuing Protection and Legal Status in Countries of Destination

2017 ◽  
pp. 29-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Marie Gallagher
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Human Trafficking ◽  
Legal Status ◽  
Home Country ◽  
Human Rights Violations ◽  
Female Victims ◽  
The Status ◽  
Economic Need

Although efforts have been directed towards the protection of victims of human trafficking and smuggling, the existing systems are still flawed and lack more effective ways to provide support, assistance and long-term status to those victims. Several international mechanisms exist, however, the protection and assistance they provide often depends on the nature or value of the information provided by victims. Asylum may be the only relief available to victims of smuggling, many of whom suffer serious human rights violations. This article provides several proposals for obtaining permanent legal status in destination countries for women who fear returning to their home country or who cannot return because of great economic need. Specifically, the article will discuss relief under the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1967 Protocol, provide suggestions for improved trafficking visas and, finally, suggest that labour based immigration include work visas for prostitutes.Published online: 11 December 2017

scholarly journals Involvement of perinatal health professionals to reduce the exposure of pregnant women to chemicals

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Sauvant-Rochat ◽  
L Bernard ◽  
M Pelissier ◽  
C Marie ◽  
D Lémery ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Occupational Status ◽  
Environmental Risks ◽  
Perinatal Health ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Cleaning Products

Abstract Background During pregnancy, reducing exposure to chemicals is obvious to many pregnant women (PW), and also perinatal health professionals (PHP), but few of them are aware that these substances are present in everyday products (cleaning products, DIY products, gardening products, personal health care products, cosmetics, food plastic wrappers etc.). AIM This study aimed to estimate the perception of risks related to chemicals by PW, and also to describe the advice provided by PHP to PW. Methods A cross-sectional survey was performed among French PW. Interviewers, using a standardized questionnaire, collected data anonymously. Data focused on socio-demographic and occupational characteristics, perception of environmental risks, identification of chemicals by PW, and preventive advices performed by PHP. Statistical analysis (univariate analysis - logistic regression) were done with Modalisa® 8.0 software (Kynos, Paris). Results 300 PW (29.5 +/- 5 years old) were included. They report a relatively high level of sensitivity to environmental issues (SE Score = 6.3 ± 1.7, on a Likert 0-10 scale). When asked about the level of risk associated with 15 environmental risks, pregnant women placed exposure to chemicals in only twelfth position. Two thirds of PW were interested by the composition of everyday products, and looked at the ingredients mentioned on the labels, but most of them declared that the information present on the labels were not comprehensible. An interest for organic products was noted. These behaviors were related to the age, socio-occupational status, perception of environmental risks. For most of PW, the main sources of information on chemicals were the Internet and medias. Only 5% PW identified PHP as potential interlocutors on this topic. Conclusions For most PW, everyday products were not identified as health risk products. To date, it is important to strengthen the information provided to PW by PHP on the risks linked o chemicals during pregnancy. Key messages Exposures to chemicals present in everyday products (DIY, cleaning products, cosmetics, food plastic wrappers etc.) are not well identified by pregnant women and by perinatal health professionals. Exposure to chemicals must be reduced during pregnancy and health promotion messages must integrate this advice to promote healthy behaviors.

scholarly journals Factors Related to Health Risk Communication Outcomes among Migrant Workers in Thailand during COVID-19: A Case Study of Three Provinces

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (21) ◽  
pp. 11474
Author(s):  
Ratchadaporn Papwijitsil ◽  
Hathairat Kosiyaporn ◽  
Pigunkaew Sinam ◽  
Mathudara Phaiyarom ◽  
Sataporn Julchoo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Risk ◽  
Risk Communication ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Migrant Workers ◽  
Cluster Sampling ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Preventive Practices

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a newly emerging infectious disease, and risk communication is one of several public health emergency responses. During the pandemic, many migrant workers in Thailand experienced barriers that hamper access to health information. This study aims to explore factors related to the outcomes of health risk communication, including awareness of public health measures and preventive practices. We conducted a cross-sectional survey on migrants between January and April 2021 using cluster sampling in Phuket, Ranong, and Samut Sakhon. In the descriptive analysis, we presented the median, proportion, and ratio, while in the inferential analysis, we employed a logistic regression with robust standard errors. Although a total of 303 participants were initially included in this study, the final number was narrowed down to 288 samples due to insufficient information required for the analysis. Frequent reception of health information and primary school education showed a statistically significant association with preventive practices. Middle-aged migrant workers demonstrated a significantly lower level of preventive practices than younger migrant workers. A longer stay in Thailand was significantly related to a lower degree of awareness toward public health measures. Thus, it is necessary to promote the accessibility of health information among migrant workers in Thailand, especially those who have lived in Thailand for more than eight years, are older, and have no formal education.

Are stronger states more humane? A re-evaluation of ‘exemplary villains’

2020 ◽  
pp. 002234332091390
Author(s):  
Seung Hoon Chae
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
State Capacity ◽  
Mass Murder ◽  
Regime Type ◽  
Recent Book ◽  
Human Rights Violations ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Human Rights Abuses ◽  
Logistic Regressions ◽  
The Empirical Analysis

In general, the human rights scholarship finds stronger states to be more humane. In particular, Englehart’s recent book and article assert that ‘petty despots’, rather than ‘exemplary villains’, are the real culprits behind the abuse of human rights. However, some exemplary villains are truly exemplary; providing them with greater powers will only intensify human rights abuses. Indeed, the idea that even dictatorships would better protect rights when stronger contradicts some of the most well-known cases of mass-murder that occurred in powerful authoritarian states. In an attempt to resolve this puzzle, this article argues that, while state capacity does matter, it matters differently for dictatorships and democracies. In both regimes, there are certain types of human rights violations that, from the government’s perspective, happen unwittingly. These unauthorized human rights violations are perpetrated by petty despots trying to benefit from the state’s principal–agent problems. Yet, unlike a democracy, a dictatorship can authorize the violation of certain types of human rights to accomplish its objectives. Whereas state capacity can reduce ‘unauthorized’ types of abuses, it would not necessarily diminish such abuses that are ‘authorized’ by the state. The net effects of state capacity, therefore, will not be as positive for autocracies as they are for democracies. To validate this argument, this article conducts 18 ordered logistic regressions with a time-series cross-sectional dataset that encompasses no less than 142 countries from the period of 1981 to 2002. The empirical analysis provides solid support for the theorized relationship among human rights, state capacity and regime type. As predicted, state capacity improves human rights in democracies but not necessarily in autocracies.

scholarly journals The psychological impact of COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown on the migrant workers: A cross-sectional survey

2020 ◽  
Vol 53 ◽  
pp. 102252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krishan Kumar ◽  
Aseem Mehra ◽  
Swapnajeet Sahoo ◽  
Ritu Nehra ◽  
Sandeep Grover
Keyword(s):  
Migrant Workers ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional

Gender Differences in Violence and Other Human Rights Abuses Among Migrant Workers on the Thailand–Myanmar Border

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (8) ◽  
pp. 945-967 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah R. Meyer ◽  
W. Courtland Robinson ◽  
Casey Branchini ◽  
Nada Abshir ◽  
Aye Aye Mar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Human Rights ◽  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Migrant Workers ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Human Rights Abuses ◽  
Key Informant ◽  
Quantitative Results ◽  
Physical And Sexual Abuse

We describe human rights violations against migrant workers at the Thailand–Myanmar border, and evaluate differences by gender and industry. This mixed methods study pairs key informant interviews ( n = 40) with a cross-sectional quantitative survey of migrant workers from Myanmar ( n = 589) recruited via respondent-driven sampling. Key informants described significant hazards during migration, including deception, theft, and physical and sexual abuse, the latter primarily for women. Quantitative results confirmed prevalent mistreatment and abuse, with significant gender differences, most notably women’s disproportionate burden of sexual abuse. Current evidence on the nature of experiences, and significant differences by gender, can position prevention and response programming.

scholarly journals Study on Status and Willingness towards Hepatitis B Vaccination among Migrant Workers in Chongqing, China: A Cross-Sectional Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (20) ◽  
pp. 4046
Author(s):  
Hui Xiang ◽  
Xiaojun Tang ◽  
Meng Xiao ◽  
Lin Gan ◽  
Kun Chu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Risk Perception ◽  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Migrant Workers ◽  
Hbv Infection ◽  
Hepatitis B Vaccination ◽  
Cluster Sampling ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Hb Vaccine

Background: Rural-to-urban migrant workers may serve as a bridge population for the cross-regional spread of hepatitis B vaccination (HBV) due to frequent shifts between their work areas and homelands, and they are less likely to be covered by the national hepatitis B (HB) immunization program. This study aimed to investigate the current inoculation status of HB vaccine among migrant workers and the willingness to be vaccinated among non-vaccinated ones. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey using anonymous interviews with migrant workers selected by two-stage cluster sampling from July to December 2018. Binary logistic regression models were adopted to detect influencing factors associated with HB inoculation status and vaccination willingness. Results: 1574 respondents were recruited in the surveys, and 773 (49.11%) respondents reported that they had been inoculated with HB vaccine. Only 285 (35.58%) non-vaccinated respondents were willing to be inoculated. Logistic regression indicated that younger age, higher education level, less wearing of condoms, higher knowledge scores of HB, and higher risk perception of HBV infection were positively associated with inoculation of HB vaccine. Respondents who were more highly educated, and drinkers, with higher knowledge scores of HB and with higher risk perception of HBV infection were more willing to be vaccinated. Conclusions: the HB vaccination rate of migrant workers in Chongqing was relatively low and only a small section of non-vaccinated migrant workers had vaccination willingness. Health interventions and policies are needed to improve knowledge and cognition of HB among migrant workers, particularly for those who are older, less educated, poor in HB knowledge, less likely to wear condoms, and non-drinkers. Peer education, as well as the combination of traditional and new media, would be accessible and effective ways to disseminate HB related knowledge for migrant workers.

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