scholarly journals Health Problems of Nepalese Migrant Workers and Their Access to Healthcare Services in three countries of Middle East

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 36-40
Author(s):  
Damaru Prasad Paneru ◽  
Chiranjivi Adhikari ◽  
Raju Pandey ◽  
Bimala Bhatt ◽  
Manisha Chalise ◽  
...  

Background: Migrants’ health is a global public health issue. Middle East countries are the major destination for abroad job among Nepalese workers. This study carried out to identify the health problems among migrant workers and their access to health care in Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar of Middle East. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study; carried out among 480 returnee migrant workers who have given consent for the study. Data were collected at Tribhuvan International Airport (October 2018) using pretested structured interview schedule after taking approval from Institutional Review Committee of Pokhara University. Data were analyzed using SPSS 20 version. Percentage, mean/median, standard deviation, Chi square test and logistic regression performed. Results: Majority of the returnee migrants workers were male (95.0%) and their mean age was 32.38±5.54 years. Almost ten percent of the participants suffered from at least one health problem during their stay in Middle East; among them, respiratory problems were common (35.6%). Almost all participants (99.6%) had health policy to take care of migrant workers and 93.5 percent participants had health insurance coverage. Female workers (AOR 4.34; CI: 1.54-12.19), and migrants who worked for additional benefits (AOR 2.17; CI: 1.11-4.25) had significantly higher prevalence of health problems than their counterparts (P<0.05). Conclusion: Almost ten percent migrant workers had at least one health problem during their stay in Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar. Almost all workers had the access to health care in Middle East countries. Female workers and the workers who performed additional work (over time) were at higher risk of the health problems. Universal coverage of quality health care for migrant workers in abroad and mainstreaming the route of permission for work is recommended.

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (10) ◽  
pp. 2241-2246
Author(s):  
Samina Ashraf ◽  
Maimonna Ashraf ◽  
Uzair-ul- Hassan

Objectives: This study aims to explore the major health problems of persons with disabilities, to see the difference between the health problems of persons with mild to moderate and severe to profound disabilities, and highlight the problems. Study Design: Quantitative Study. Setting: University of the Punjab, Lahore. Period: 15 March 2018 to 14 Dec 2020. Material & Methods: The study included a quantitative survey conducted with interviews of 100 persons with different disabilities (50 mild to moderate disabilities, 50 severe to profound disabilities) selected by applying convenient sampling method. A questionnaire was used for the data collection. The questionnainaire comprised of three parts: first part was about demographics,the second part consisted of items related to the health problems and third part consisted of items related to the access to health care services. Non-parametric statistical analysis was used for the data analysis. Comparison between persons with mild to moderate and severe to profound disabilities was made. Results: Results showed that persons with severe to profound disabilities generally experienced more health problems and problems in accessing   health care services as compared to persons with mild to moderate disabilities. Conclusion: The study concluded that persons with disabilities experience physical, attitudinal and communication problems while accessing health services.


2008 ◽  
Vol 123 (2) ◽  
pp. 189-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Therese Hesketh ◽  
Ye Xue Jun ◽  
Li Lu ◽  
Wang Hong Mei

Author(s):  
Emine Aktas ◽  
Barbara Bergbom ◽  
Lode Godderis ◽  
Bertina Kreshpaj ◽  
Mario Marinov ◽  
...  

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.


Author(s):  
Pramod R. Regmi ◽  
Edwin van Teijlingen ◽  
Preeti Mahato ◽  
Nirmal Aryal ◽  
Navnita Jadhav ◽  
...  

Background: Most health research on Nepali migrant workers in India is on sexual health, whilst work, lifestyle and health care access issues are under-researched. Methods: The qualitative study was carried out in two cities of Maharashtra State in 2017. Twelve focus group discussions (FGDs) and five in-depth interviews were conducted with Nepali male and female migrant workers. Similarly, eight interviews were conducted with stakeholders, mostly representatives of organisations working for Nepali migrants in India using social capital as a theoretical foundation. Results: Five main themes emerged from the analysis: (i) accommodation; (ii) lifestyle, networking and risk-taking behaviours; (iii) work environment; (iv) support from local organisations; and (v) health service utilisation. Lack of basic amenities in accommodation, work-related hazards such as lack of safety measures at work or safety training, reluctance of employers to organise treatment for work-related accidents, occupational health issues such as long working hours, high workload, no/limited free time, discrimination by co-workers were identified as key problems. Nepali migrants have limited access to health care facilities due to their inability to prove their identity. Health system of India also discriminates as some treatment is restricted to Indian nationals. The strength of this study is the depth it offers, its limitations includes a lack of generalizability, the latter is a generic issue in such qualitative research. Conclusion: This study suggests risks to Nepali migrant workers’ health in India range from accommodation to workplace and from their own precarious lifestyle habit to limited access to health care facilities. We must conduct a quantitative study on a larger population to establish the prevalence of the above mentioned issues and risks. Furthermore, the effectiveness of Nepali migrant support organisations in mitigating these risks needs to be researched.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 84
Author(s):  
Nitchamon Rakkapao ◽  
Pradabduang Kiattisaksiri ◽  
Ronnapoom Samakkekarom

Background: HIV/AIDS is s ll a problem in the health care system of developing countries. Migrant workers are considered a vulnerable popula on for HIV infec on. The current informa on on HIV/AIDS and migrant workers is useful to provide suitable effec ve health interven ons for the preven on of HIV/AIDS. This study aims to describe knowledge, a tudes and HIV/AIDS risk behaviors among Myanmar male migrant workers in Thailand. Methods: A cross-sec onal study was conducted in Myanmar male migrant workers aged 18-60 years collected from February to May 2018. A total of 400 migrant workers who live in Patumthani provinces were selected by a convenience sampling method. Descrip ve sta s cs were used to explore knowledge, a tudes and HIV/AIDS risk behaviors of par cipants. Results: The mean age of the par cipants was 33 years, ages ranged from 18 to 60 years old, achieved pri- mary school (40.40%), and married (54.30%). An average living in Thailand was 3.25 years and monthly income was 9,166 baht (∼286 USD), respec vely. A majority of par cipants had a poor level of HIV/AIDS knowledge (55.25%) and a fair level of an a tude about HIV/AIDS disease and preven on (61.25%). Risk behaviors related to HIV/AIDS of par cipants who had sex with non-partners were 40.58%. Conclusion: Most par cipants had poor knowledge and a fair a tude of HIV/AIDS. Risk behaviors related to HIV/AIDS of the par cipants were rela vely high. Moreover, most of par cipants had less access to health care services. This results confirmed that an urgent need to provide health interven on to increase knowledge on HIV/AIDS of Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand.


Author(s):  
Pauline A. Mashima

Important initiatives in health care include (a) improving access to services for disadvantaged populations, (b) providing equal access for individuals with limited or non-English proficiency, and (c) ensuring cultural competence of health-care providers to facilitate effective services for individuals from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health, 2001). This article provides a brief overview of the use of technology by speech-language pathologists and audiologists to extend their services to underserved populations who live in remote geographic areas, or when cultural and linguistic differences impact service delivery.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document