scholarly journals Recruiting migrant workers in Australia for Public Health surveys: how sampling strategy make a difference in estimates of workplace hazards

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison Daly ◽  
Alison Reid

Abstract Objectives One third of the Australian work force are immigrants. Relatively little is known about working conditions for specific migrant groups. The objectives of this paper are to describe and compare the sampling strategies used to recruit migrant workers from specific migrant groups working in Australia into a cross-sectional study designed to produce population estimates of workplace hazards and self-reported health. Results Two cross sectional telephone surveys were conducted with immigrants currently working in Australia. Survey 1 used quota sampling from lists provided by a sample broker. Survey 2 used a combination of probability and non-probability sampling, including random sampling from telephone lists. Data from the surveys were weighted and comparisons made with unweighted data. While weighting adjusted for most differences across the sample sources, the likelihood of exposure to workplace hazards depended on exposure types and sampling strategies. We concluded that by using a combination of sampling strategies it is possible to recruit immigrants from specific migrant groups and provide a balanced view of working conditions, although no one strategy was best for all types of measures. Access to a robust sample source for migrants would enable a better perspective to migrant populations’ working conditions.

2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 2-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sunil Kumar Joshi ◽  
Pranab Dahal ◽  
Agya Poudel ◽  
Helen Sherpa

Brick manufacturing is a labor intensive informal industry using child workers as the major work force in Nepal. Workers are required to use physical strength, carry heavy loads and remain in a squatted posture for longer periods doing repetitive tasks posing threats to musculoskeletal system. This study involved cross sectional study of children aged 17 years and below. The study respondent included 101 cases and 64 controls in Bhaktapur and 97 cases and 43 controls in Sarlahi. Lack of adequate physical infrastructures, poor working conditions with non existent safety procedures have posed risk to physical, metal and overall well being of children. The study identifies work related physical       ailments and discomforts dominate brick industries of Nepal. The  musculoskeletal disorder related pain and discomfort was experienced by 73 per cent of working  children in Bhaktapur and 58 per cent in Sarlahi. The odds ratio suggests that working children were 8 times more likely to experience trouble or body pain compared to non-working children. This study finds that presence of inferior physical environment, working conditions and practices has contributed to musculoskeletal injuries and problems exposing working children to risks and hazards. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijosh.v3i2.10271


Author(s):  
W. . Chaocharoen ◽  
P. . Khongnil ◽  
S. . Arphorn

This research aimed to determine safety behaviors of migrant agricultural workers of Mon ethnic in pesticide use in Kanchanaburi province. This research was a cross-sectional study with a sample group of 30 Mon migrant workers by using a questionnaire. The research result found out that the majority of the migrant farmers have good level of safety behaviors but they showed low level of knowledge in pesticides use. This study recommended that the related authorities should disseminate information and provide training program regarding safe use of pesticides for farmers and pesticide retailers by using comprehensible publishing media with illustration and local language, while the improvement of living and working conditions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Z. Xu ◽  
Wilaslak Tanongsaksakul ◽  
Thidarat Suksangpleng ◽  
Supachai Ekwattanakit ◽  
Suchada Riolueang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Thalassemia, an inherited hemoglobin disorder, has become a global public health problem due to population migration. Evidence-based strategies for thalassemia prevention in migrants are lacking. We characterized barriers to thalassemia screening and the burden of thalassemia in migrant workers in Thailand. Methods Multilingual demographic and KAP surveys were completed by 197 Thai, 119 Myanmar, and 176 Cambodian adults residing in Thailand. Thalassemia awareness, socio-demographic predictors, and knowledge and attitude scores were compared between migrant and Thai subjects. Comprehensive thalassemia testing was performed for migrants. Results Migrants had extremely poor thalassemia awareness (4.1%) compared to Thai subjects (79.6%) and had lower thalassemia knowledge scores but similar attitude scores. Surveys identified differing sociodemographic factors predicting awareness in Thai and migrant subjects, as well as key misconceptions likely to hinder thalassemia screening uptake. Nearly all migrants consented to thalassemia testing. We identified abnormal hemoglobin profiles in 52.7% of migrants and a higher projected rate of severe thalassemia births in migrants. Conclusions The high burden of thalassemia and tremendous knowledge gap in migrants needs urgent attention. Thalassemia screening was feasible and acceptable in our migrant population. Sociocultural and structural barriers merit further attention when designing thalassemia screening and prevention policies for migrants in Thailand and globally.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Monique Ameyo Dorkenoo ◽  
Martin Kouame Tchankoni ◽  
Degninou Yehadji ◽  
Kossi Yakpa ◽  
Mawèké Tchalim ◽  
...  

Abstract Background In March 2017, Togo was declared the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to eliminate lymphatic filariasis as a public health problem, but post-validation surveillance has been lacking. In some areas of the country, migrant groups from neighboring countries that are still endemic for LF pose a risk of reintroduction of LF to Togo. The objective of this study was to identify the risk posed by migrant groups by measuring their prevalence of LF infection and investigating any positive case using Togo’s case investigation algorithm to prevent resurgence of LF and sustain Togo’s elimination success. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2018 in the northernmost region of the country. Three migrant populations were identified: (i) nomadic Peuhls, (ii) Togolese members of local communities who migrate annually to neighboring countries for seasonal labor, and (iii) refugees from Ghana who came to Togo because of a communal conflict in Ghana. A questionnaire was designed to collect data on demographics and history of LF and MDA; all participants were tested for circulating filariasis antigen (CFA) using the filariasis test strip (FTS). Any CFA-positive case was confirmed with nocturnal microfilaremia. Results Refugees, seasonal economic migrants and nomadic Peuhls represented 42.1%, 31.4% and 26.5% of the study participants, respectively. The overall prevalence of CFA was 4.2% (58/1391) with the highest prevalence in the nomadic Peuhl group (11.9%), but only one of them (0.07%) was confirmed positive with nocturnal microfilaremia. Using the case investigation algorithm, no other positive case was identified in the positive case’s surroundings. Conclusion This study demonstrates that nomadic Peuhls, with a CFA prevalence of 11.9%, pose a potential risk for reintroduction of LF into Togo while Ghanaian refugees and seasonal economic migrants do not appear to pose a significant risk. Periodic monitoring of migrants, especially the nomadic Peuhl population, is a potential post-validation surveillance approach that could be used to promptly detect any LF cluster that may arise.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carita Håkansson ◽  
Annika Lexén

Abstract Background The numbers of people who are on sick leave due to mental health problems, such as exhaustion disorder, are increasing in Sweden. One of the most affected groups is healthcare professionals. In order to develop preventive strategies to promote a sustainable working life for occupational therapists, there is a need to understand the associations between psychosocial working conditions, occupational balance and no or negligible stress symptoms. To the best of our knowledge, neither the combination of these factors nor the salutogenic perspective, have been taken into consideration when exploring factors associated with stress symptoms among occupational therapists in previous research. Methods Purposeful sampling was used. All currently working members of the Swedish Association of Occupational Therapists were invited to take part in the present study in 2018. The final sample was 3658 (48% response rate). A web-survey with questions about signs of exhaustion, psychosocial working conditions, occupational balance and sociodemographic characteristics was used. Logistic regression analyses were used in order to calculate associations between psychosocial working conditions, occupational balance, sociodemographic characteristics and no or negligible signs of exhaustion. Results Experiencing high occupational balance, low workload, high control, high sense of community and high justice, were associated with no or negligible stress symptoms. Furthermore, a satisfying financial situation, having children living at home, being married and long professional experience were significant in this model. Conclusions It seems important to consider not only psychosocial working conditions, but also occupational balance to prevent exhaustion disorder among occupational therapists in Sweden. Organisational programmes, which reduce the workload, strengthen the control and sense of community and facilitate occupational balance, seem to be important areas for health promotion in this group.


Author(s):  
Sara Brolin Låftman ◽  
Maria Granvik Saminathen ◽  
Bitte Modin ◽  
Petra Löfstedt

The aim of this study was to investigate the extent to which school demands, teacher support, and classmate support were associated with excellent self-rated health among students, and to examine if any such statistical predictions differed by gender. Data were drawn from the Swedish Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study of 2017/18, performed among adolescents in grades five, seven, and nine (n = 3701). Linear probability models showed that school demands were negatively associated with excellent self-rated health, whereas teacher and classmate support showed positive associations. The link with school demands was stronger for girls than boys, driven by the finding that in grades five and nine, school demands were associated with excellent self-rated health only among girls. In conclusion, the study suggests that working conditions in school in terms of manageable school demands and strong teacher and classmate support may benefit adolescents’ positive health. The finding that the link between school demands and excellent self-rated health was more evident among girls than among boys may be interpreted in light of girls’ on average stronger focus on schoolwork and academic success. The study contributes with to knowledge about how working conditions in school may impede or promote students’ positive health.


2021 ◽  
pp. 002580242110196
Author(s):  
Mohammed Madadin ◽  
Ibtisam M Alkhattaf ◽  
Fatima H Abutaki ◽  
Mohammed A Almarzooq ◽  
Fahad A Alzahrani ◽  
...  

Forensic mortuaries have always presented a potential threat to workers who come into contact with dead bodies. This research aims to identify hazards faced by forensic mortuary personnel, including forensic pathologists and technicians working in forensic mortuaries in forensic medicine centres throughout Saudi Arabia, to recognise the prevalence of exposure to workplace hazards and to discover the degree of awareness and use of safety practices. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in a total of 20 forensic medicine centres, using an online questionnaire distributed among forensic mortuary personnel. A total of 113 participants responded to the questionnaire. Just over half (53%) of workplaces always provided personal protective equipment, and 75% of participants always used them. The most common hazards were needle-prick wounds and accidental slips or falls. Almost two thirds (64%) of participants witnessed or experienced a work-related accident in the forensic mortuary. The lack of previous studies concerning hazard exposure among forensic mortuary personnel in Saudi Arabia means that this study provides foundational evidence for future research concerning forensic autopsy-related work accidents in Saudi Arabia.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (01) ◽  
pp. 87-99
Author(s):  
Shanti Prasad Khanal ◽  
Edwin Van Teijlingen ◽  
Mohan Kumar Sharma ◽  
Jib Acharya ◽  
Sharma Sharma

Evidence shows that the seasonal migrants returned from India have been a source of COVID-19, which helped spread it across Nepal. This cross-sectional study, guided by the Health Belief Model (HBM) model, that people's underlying believes in this case around COVID-19, is determined by a large extend their subsequent behaviors. This study aimed to examine the association between personal characteristics and perceived threats regarding COVID-19 among 384 seasonal migrants who had returned from India and were staying in a quarantine center in Surkhet, Nepal. A questionnaire was used with the help of three health workers working in the Quarantine Center. A five-point sequential grade Likert scale was constructed based on two HBM constructs, like 'perceived susceptibility' and ‘severity.' A score ≥ of 50% was designated as high, and ≤ 50% as a perceived low level of threat. Univariate and bivariate analyses were performed to interpret the data using SPSS 20 version. Generally, participants regarded the threat of COVID-19 as low. The severity of COVID-19 was thought to be greater than the vulnerability of the subjects. Gender, age, caste, education, health status, and perceived susceptibility did not correlate with perceived susceptibility. However, the participants’ demographic characteristics were associated with their perceived level of severity. Therefore, this study calls for proper risk communication to people who returned from abroad, as this is essential in promoting protective behavior during a pandemic outbreak. 


Author(s):  
Pradeep Senapathi ◽  
Hemant Kumar ◽  
Shama Kamath ◽  
Nischitha S. ◽  
Mahesh V. ◽  
...  

Background: Skin diseases are quite common among migrant workers, yet little research has been done to determine their prevalence and risk factors. Poor living conditions, over-crowding, low standards of personal hygiene and environmental sanitation make them even more vulnerable. The objective of the study was to assess the prevalence and pattern of skin infections among migrant labourers and their relationship with selected socio-demographic factors.Methods: A hospital based cross sectional study was carried out among 300 temporary migrants visiting dermatology OPD of A.J. Institute of Medical Sciences teaching hospital. The duration of study was two months. All patients were diagnosed clinically by qualified dermatologists and supported by relevant investigations.Results: Most of the migrants were males (62%) while remaining (38%) were females. Majority of the migrants (42.3%) belonged to 20-40 years age group. Infectious skin diseases were found among 64.3% of the study subjects while 34.7% of them had non-infectious skin diseases. The lesions were mainly over head and neck (23.3%) followed by abdomen (23%), upper limbs (21.3%) and lower limbs (21.3%).Conclusions: The study revealed a high prevalence of infectious skin diseases among the migrant workers.


Author(s):  
Vasantha Rao Sappati ◽  
Sannapaneni Krishnaiah ◽  
Suneetha Sapur

Background: To assess the awareness about breast feeding practices and to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice about the signs and symptoms of vitamin A deficiency (VAD) and vitamin A rich foods intake among mothers of children below 5 years in the Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh (AP) in South India.Methods: A population based cross-sectional study was conducted on 284 mothers (age range 14 to 36 years) during June 2011 and September 2011. A combined simple and systematic random sampling strategy was used to select mothers from one tribal, rural and semi urban area with a representative sample of the Srikakulam district. A standardized structured questionnaire that was developed and validated by the National institute of nutrition, Hyderabad was utilized for this study.Results: The awareness of vitamin A and night blindness was 68.7% (95% confidence intervals (CI): 62.9–74.0) (n=195) and 93.7% (95% CI: 90.2–96.2) (n=266) respectively. The knowledge of signs and symptoms of vitamin A deficiency (VAD) was nil among illiterate mothers and low among literates; with primary education, adjusted odds ratio (OR): 0.01 (95% CI: 0.00, 0.06) and with secondary education, OR: 0.19 (95% CI: 0.06, 0.62) compared to mothers with graduation and above.Conclusions: There is a need to increase the awareness and knowledge about VAD among mothers with children below 5 years in the southern state of AP.


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