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Devillanova C, Franco C, Spada A. Downgraded dreams: Labor market outcomes and mental health in undocumented migration. SSM Popul Health 2024; 26:101652. [PMID: 38516529 PMCID: PMC10950686 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2024.101652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Undocumented immigrant workers are particularly exposed to mental health risk factors, including occupational downgrading - i.e. the loss in occupational status upon arrival. This study breaks new ground by examining the relationship between occupational downgrading and mental health among this hard-to-reach population, offering the first-ever investigation of its kind. Leveraging a unique dataset collected by a primary care outpatient clinic in Milan, Italy, which combines medical evaluations with detailed occupational information, we construct a direct measure of occupational downgrading, which adds to the literature. We employ logistic regression models to estimate odds ratios (ORs) for mental and behavioral disorders. The study also offers fresh evidence on the socioeconomic and health status of a sizable sample of undocumented migrants. The study sample consists of 1738 individuals that had their first medical examination in 2017-18. Prevalence of mental health conditions is 5.58%. Data also highlight poor labor market integration: one third of individuals in the sample is employed, mostly in elementary occupations; 66.63% of immigrant workers experienced occupational downgrading. Regression results show that undocumented immigrants who undergo occupational downgrading are at considerably higher risk of mental disorders. ORs range from 1.729 (95% CI 1.071-2.793), when the model only includes individual characteristics determined prior to migration, to 2.659 (CI 1.342-5.271), when it accounts for all the available controls. From a policy perspective, our study underscores the need to consider the broader impact of policies, including restrictive entry and integration policies, on migrant health. Additionally, ensuring access to primary care for all immigrants is crucial for early detection and treatment of mental health conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Devillanova
- Department of Social and Political Sciences and Dondena Centre for Research on Social Dynamics and Public Policy, Bocconi University, Italy
| | - Cristina Franco
- European Commission, Directorate-General for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Belgium
| | - Anna Spada
- On Behalf of Naga, Organizzazione di Volontariato per l’Assistenza Socio-Sanitaria e per i Diritti di Cittadini Stranieri, Rom e Sinti, Italy
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Sabbath EL, Pan Y, McTernan ML, Peters SE, Lovett SM, Stelson EA, Wagner GR, Hopcia K, Boden LI. Adding injury to insult: Unfair treatment at work and occupational injury among hospital patient-care workers. Am J Ind Med 2024. [PMID: 38738969 DOI: 10.1002/ajim.23616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hospital patient-care workers have high occupational injury rates. While physical hazards within hospital work environments are established determinants of injury, social exposures may also contribute. This study examined how reports of unfair treatment at work, a dimension of work-related experiences of discrimination, were associated with injury among hospital-based patient-care workers. METHODS We used data from the Boston Hospital Workers Health Study, a longitudinal cohort of nurses and nursing assistants at two Boston-area hospitals. In 2018, we conducted a worker survey asking about three types of unfair treatment at work and occupational injuries during the past year. We used mixed-effects logistic regression models to evaluate associations between specific types, total load, and high-frequency exposure of unfair treatment with injury, adjusting for age, gender, race and ethnicity, job title, and unit type. RESULTS Among 1001 respondents, 21% reported being humiliated in front of others at work, 28% reported being watched more closely than other workers, and 47% reported having to work twice as hard as others for the same treatment. For each type of unfair treatment, we observed a monotonic relationship with occupational injury wherein increasing frequency of exposure was associated with increased odds of injury. We also observed monotonic relationships between total load and high-frequency exposure to unfair treatment and odds of injury. CONCLUSIONS Work-related unfair treatment is associated with injury among hospital workers. Programs and policies that focus on preventing unfair treatment may lessen injury burden in hospital workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika L Sabbath
- Boston College School of Social Work, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Yixin Pan
- Academic Research Services, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Melissa L McTernan
- Academic Research Services, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Susan E Peters
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sharonda M Lovett
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Elisabeth A Stelson
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Gregory R Wagner
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Karen Hopcia
- Occupational Health Services, Mass General Brigham, Somerville, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Leslie I Boden
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Herold R, Lieb M, Borho A, Voss A, Unverzagt S, Morawa E, Rothermund E, Erim Y. Working conditions and mental health of migrants and refugees in Europe considering cultural origin- a systematic review. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:662. [PMID: 38429674 PMCID: PMC10908099 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-18096-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Migrants and refugees/asylum seekers, as a large part of the European work force, are often confronted with unfavorable working conditions in the host country. Main aim of this systematic review was to compare the association of these working conditions with mental health between migrants and refugees/asylum seekers due to their diverse migration experiences and cultural origins, and between different European host countries. METHODS Systematic search for eligible primary studies was conducted in three electronic databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, PsycINFO and CINAHL) using quantitative study designs written in English, German, French, Italian, Polish, Spanish or Turkish and published from January 1, 2016 to October 27, 2022. Primary health outcomes were diagnosed psychiatric and psychological disorders, suicide and suicide attempts, psychiatric and psychological symptoms, and perceived distress. Secondary health outcomes were more general concepts of mental health such as well-being, life satisfaction and quality of life. Two reviewers independently completed screening, data extraction and the methodological quality assessment of primary studies using the Newcastle-Ottawa-Scale. Descriptive summary of primary studies on working conditions and their relationship with mental health were conducted, comparing migrants and refugees/asylum seekers, migrants and refugees/asylum seekers of different cultural backgrounds (collectivistic and individualistic) and migrants and refugees/asylum seekers living in different host countries. RESULTS Inclusion criteria were met by 19 primary studies. Voluntary migrants are more likely to experience overqualification in the host country than refugees. In all examined host countries, migrants and refugees suffer from unfavorable working conditions, with migrants from collectivistic countries being slightly at risk compared to migrants from individualistic countries. Most unfavorable working conditions are related to poor mental health, regardless of migrant status, cultural origin or host country. CONCLUSIONS Although the results should be interpreted with caution due to the small number of studies, it is evident that to maintain both the mental health and labor force of migrants and refugees/asylum seekers, their working conditions in host countries should be controlled and improved. Special attention should be paid to specific subgroups such as migrants from collectivistic societies. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This systematic review is excluded from ethical approval because it used previously approved published data from primary studies. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42021244840.
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Affiliation(s)
- Regina Herold
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Marietta Lieb
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Andrea Borho
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Amanda Voss
- Institute and Outpatient Clinic of Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Susanne Unverzagt
- Center of Health Sciences, Institute of General Practice and Family Medicine, Martin-Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Eva Morawa
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Eva Rothermund
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Yesim Erim
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
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Dong B. A study on the impact and mechanism of action of public health education on the health of the migrant population: evidence from the 2018 China migrants dynamic survey. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1308751. [PMID: 38454992 PMCID: PMC10919148 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1308751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Background China has the world's largest mobile population. As mobility increases, ensuring the health protection of this population is receiving more attention. Strengthening public health education is a crucial measure to improve their health and achieve equal access to basic public health services in China. Previous research has demonstrated that public health education has an impact on the health of mobile populations. However, there has been limited investigation into the mediating pathways through which health education influences the health of mobile populations, and few studies have examined the heterogeneity of this effect. Objectives The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of public health education on the health of the mobile population and its mechanism of action. Additionally, we aimed to explore the differences in this impact among different subdivided groups. Methods This paper analyses the impact of public health education on the health of the mobile population using the 2018 China Migrant Dynamic Survey (CMDS) Data,. The data was cleaned and 4,034 people were included in the analysis. The study employed ordered logistic regression modeling to analyze the mediating pathways through which health education affects health. Additionally, binary logistic regression model, probit model, propensity score matching method and instrumental variables were used to verify the robustness of the results. Results The self-assessed health status of the mobile population was good, and 82.10% of them accepted public health education. However, 17.89% of the mobile population did not receive any health education. Acceptance of health education can help improve the health status of the mobile population (OR = 1.178, 95% CI = 0.979-1.418). The study found that public health education can positively impact the health of mobile populations by influencing their health and hospitalization behaviors, as well as their social support. The analysis of heterogeneity revealed that the impact of public health education is more significant among rural, middle-aged, low-education, and low-income groups of the mobile population. Conclusion Public health education can have a positive impact on the health of the migrant populations. To further improve health education for this group, it is necessary to actively promote the establishment of health records for the migrant population, to facilitate the contracting of family doctors by the migrant population, to improve the accessibility to hospitalization services, reduce the burden of hospitalization costs, and enhance social support. Simultaneously, it is essential to offer precise and varied health education to the migrant population based on their characteristics, to promote equity among diverse groups of individuals. These findings not only help to enrich theoretical research on health education for migrant populations and the health of migrant populations but also help to improve the level of public health education for migrant populations and improve the health protection of migrant populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Dong
- Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
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Dong B. The impact of basic health insurance participation characteristics on the health of mobile populations: the mediating role of health service utilization behavior. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1243703. [PMID: 38362214 PMCID: PMC10867968 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1243703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Objectives It is a pivotal element of China's health system reform to improve the health security of health insurance for the mobile population. Achieving this objective is integral to the success of the reform. The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of different enrollment characteristics of basic health insurance on the health of the mobile population and to investigate the mediating role of health service utilization behavior. Methods This cross-sectional study included 135,372 migrants who participated in the 2018 China Migrants Dynamic Survey (CMDS). Two indicators were employed in this study to assess the characteristics of the mobile population's involvement in basic health insurance-namely, whether or not they participated in local health insurance and the type of health insurance in which they participated. The health status of the mobile population was measured using self-assessed health. Health service utilization behavior was divided into public health service utilization and medical service utilization. Multivariate ordered logistic regression was employed to examine the effect of health insurance on the health of the mobile population. Subsequently, the Bootstrap method was applied to analyze the mediating effect of health service utilization behavior in the relationship between health insurance and the health of the mobile population. Results Health insurance had a positive impact on health, public health services, and health service utilization among the mobile population. However, enrollment in local health insurance (OR = 1.088, 95% CI = 1.043-1.134) and enrollment in Basic Medical Insurance for Urban Employees (OR = 1.178, 95% CI = 1.090-1.273) were more likely to be associated with higher levels of health and a greater likelihood of receiving health service utilization. The results of the mediating mechanism analysis indicated that health education, health records, family doctor contracting, receiving inpatient services, and being hospitalized locally all played a partially mediating role in the impact of the place of enrollment on health. Regarding the effect of the type of enrollment on health, three types of services-namely, health education, health records, and contracting with a family doctor-played a partially mediating role, while receiving inpatient services and being hospitalized locally did not exhibit a mediating effect. The effect of the type of participation on health is partially mediated. Conclusion Based on the impact of the different enrolment characteristics of basic health insurance on the health of the mobile population and the mediating role of health service utilization in this impact, furthermore, improvement of health insurance coverage for the mobile population should focus on improving the accessibility of health services, increasing the level of health insurance coverage, mitigating differences in treatment between the different insurance systems, and simplifying the process of transferring the health insurance relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Dong
- School of Political Science and Public Administration, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
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Pan L, Li G, Wan H. Does improving basic public health services promote household consumption of rural migrant workers? Evidence from China. Front Public Health 2024; 11:1308297. [PMID: 38259749 PMCID: PMC10800378 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1308297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Transforming rural migrant workers' consumption potential into a consumption booster requires ensuring their equal rights as urban residents. The adequate access to Basic Public Health Services (BPHS) help effectively tackle rural migrant workers' health challenges and promote the well-being of this vulnerable population. Assessing the welfare effects of BPHS through a consumption perspective offers valuable insights and provides policy implications for enhancing the equity of BPHS and achieving common prosperity. Methods Utilizing the household-level data from China Migrants Dynamic Survey 2017 (CMDS 2017), this study comprehensively evaluated the effects of BPHS on rural migrant workers' household consumption by combining the methods of OLS, PSM, and IV. Results The enhancement of BPHS promotes rural migrant workers' household consumption even after considering endogeneity problems. Mechanism analysis indicates that BPHS imposes its positive effects on rural migrant workers through improving health literacy and increasing citizenization willingness. Furthermore, we identified heterogeneous effects across individual and household characteristics of rural migrant workers, and their flow patterns. Conclusion Our analysis indicates that BPHS plays a greater role in promoting household consumption of socially vulnerable groups, such as trans-provincial migration, rural migrant workers in old generations, and with lower-level income. Overall, these results suggest that the welfare effects of BPHS are inclusive in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Pan
- School of Economics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Gang Li
- School of Economics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Haoran Wan
- School of Economics and Management, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
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Hagose M, Burton-Jeangros C, Fakhoury J, Consoli L, Refle JE, Jackson Y. Working Conditions and Self-Reported Health Among Undocumented and Newly Regularized Migrants in Geneva: A Cross-Sectional Study. Int J Public Health 2023; 68:1606394. [PMID: 38125708 PMCID: PMC10730670 DOI: 10.3389/ijph.2023.1606394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives: Most undocumented migrants are employed in so-called "dirty jobs" or "3D jobs" (dangerous, dirty and degrading) due to their lack of legal status. This study aimed to describe the self-reported health of undocumented and newly regularized migrants in relation to their working conditions. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using data collected during the first phase of the Parchemins study (2017-18), a survey that monitors the socioeconomic and health impact of a regularization scheme for undocumented workers in Geneva, Switzerland. The sample consists of 395 undocumented and newly regularized migrants. Results: Overall, 147 (37.2%) rated their health as very good or excellent. Multivariable regression analysis indicated that work-related factors associated with better self-reported health included higher satisfaction with working conditions, while legal status regularization showed only a borderline association. By contrast, workers performing very demanding tasks and having more difficulties finding a new job were less likely to report very good or excellent health. Conclusion: Findings show that work-related factors had a stronger influence on self-reported health compared to legal status change. Further research is needed to evaluate the long-term impact of regularization on working conditions and self-rated health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Munire Hagose
- Faculté des Sciences de la Société, Université de Genève, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Claudine Burton-Jeangros
- Faculté des Sciences de la Société, Université de Genève, Geneva, Switzerland
- LIVES Swiss Centre of Expertise in Life Course Research, Geneva, Switzerland
- Centre Interfacultaire de Gérontologie et d’Études des Vulnérabilités, Université de Genève, Carouge, Switzerland
| | - Julien Fakhoury
- Faculté des Sciences de la Société, Université de Genève, Geneva, Switzerland
- LIVES Swiss Centre of Expertise in Life Course Research, Geneva, Switzerland
- Centre Interfacultaire de Gérontologie et d’Études des Vulnérabilités, Université de Genève, Carouge, Switzerland
| | - Liala Consoli
- Faculté des Sciences de la Société, Université de Genève, Geneva, Switzerland
- LIVES Swiss Centre of Expertise in Life Course Research, Geneva, Switzerland
- Centre Interfacultaire de Gérontologie et d’Études des Vulnérabilités, Université de Genève, Carouge, Switzerland
| | - Jan-Erik Refle
- LIVES Swiss Centre of Expertise in Life Course Research, Geneva, Switzerland
- Centre Interfacultaire de Gérontologie et d’Études des Vulnérabilités, Université de Genève, Carouge, Switzerland
| | - Yves Jackson
- Division de Médecine de Premier Recours, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève (HUG), Geneva, Switzerland
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Riccò M, Baldassarre A, Ferraro P, Melodia P, Stocchi M, Magnavita N. SARS-CoV-2 infection in meat and poultry workers after the "first wave" (Summer 2020): a cross-sectional study on knowledge, attitudes, practices (KAP) of Italian occupational physicians. ACTA BIO-MEDICA : ATENEI PARMENSIS 2023; 94:e2023244. [PMID: 38054688 PMCID: PMC10734241 DOI: 10.23750/abm.v94i6.14564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM This cross-sectional study assessed knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of Italian Occupational Physicians (OPs) on Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among meat/poultry processing plant workers (MPWs) (Summer season 2020). METHODS Data were collected through an online questionnaire including demographic characteristics, and items about COVID-19-related KAP in MPWs. A logistic regression was modelled in order to characterize explanatory variables of the outcome variable of having any professional experience as OP in meat/poultry processing industry. RESULTS A total of 424 OPs (mean age 49.0 ± 9.1years; 49.5% males) participated into the survey. Despite a generally good level of knowledge on SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, OPs having professional experience with MPWs failed to recognize any increased risk for COVID-19 (Odds Ratio [OR] 0.162; 95% Confidence intervals [95%CI] 0.039-0.670), and were less likely to recommend periodical tests via nasal swabs (OR 0.168, 95%CI 0.047-0.605). On the contrary, they identified socioeconomic status of MPWs as a risk factor (OR 5.686, 95%CI 1.413-22.881), recommending cleaning interventions on changing rooms and canteens (OR 16.090, 95%CI 1.099-259.244). CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, we reported a diffuse underestimation of the risk for COVID-19, that was alarmingly higher among professionals who should be more familiar with the specific requirements of MPWs. Some significant knowledge gaps were also clearly identified, stressing the opportunity for tailored educative interventions (www.actabiomedica.it).
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Riccò
- Azienda USL di Reggio EmiliaV.le Amendola n.2 - 42122 REServizio di Prevenzione e Sicurezza negli Ambienti di Lavoro (SPSAL)Dip. di Prevenzione.
| | - Antonio Baldassarre
- Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università di Firenze, P.zza S.Marco, 50121 Florence, Italy.
| | - Pietro Ferraro
- Direzione Sanità, Italian Railways' Infrastructure Division, RFI SpA, I-00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Pietro Melodia
- School of Public Health,Vita-Salute San Raffaele University,IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina n.21,Milan, Italy.
| | - Manuel Stocchi
- School of Public Health,Vita-Salute San Raffaele University,IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina n.21,Milan, Italy.
| | - Nicola Magnavita
- Postgraduate School of Occupational Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito, 1, 00168 Roma RM, Rome; Occupational Medicine, Department of Mother, Child & Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
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Maheen H, King T. Employment-related mental health outcomes among Australian migrants: A 19-year longitudinal study. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 2023; 57:1475-1485. [PMID: 37211808 PMCID: PMC10619185 DOI: 10.1177/00048674231174809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Migrants experience various stressors at different stages of migration based on their country of origin, ethnic backgrounds, migration context and host country. Employment is one important post-settlement factor associated with mental health among migrant groups. The study investigates whether the country of origin modifies the association between employment and mental health for Australian migrants. METHODS Nineteen waves of data from the Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey were used. Using fixed-effects regression, we examined the effects of within-person changes in employment status on mental health outcomes as measured by the Mental Health Inventory (MHI-5), controlling for time-varying confounders and stratified by sex and examined effect modification by country of origin. RESULTS The relationship between unemployment and mental health was modified by country of origin for men but not women. Unemployed men from Asian (β = -4.85, p < 0.001), African and Middle Eastern (β = -3.61, p < 0.05) countries had lower mental health scores compared to employed Australian-born men. For men, there was evidence of effect modification of the association between employment and mental health by country of origin, with the combined effect of being unemployed and being a migrant from an Asian country was almost three points lower than the summed independent risks of these factors (β = -2.72; p = 0.01). Also, for men, the combined mental health effect of not being in the labour force and coming from a non-English-speaking European country was greater than the summed effects of these factors (β = -2.33; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Tailored employment-support programmes may be beneficial for migrants from ethnic minorities, particularly those from Asian, African and Middle Eastern countries in Australia. Further research is needed to understand why the mental health of migrant men from these countries is particularly vulnerable to unemployment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Humaira Maheen
- Centre for Health Equity, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, VIC, Australia
| | - Tania King
- Centre for Health Equity, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, VIC, Australia
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Benavente P, Ronda E, Diaz E. Occupation-related factors affecting the health of migrants working during the COVID-19 pandemic - a qualitative study in Norway. Int J Equity Health 2023; 22:220. [PMID: 37848919 PMCID: PMC10583456 DOI: 10.1186/s12939-023-02013-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic were more pronounced among migrants than in the majority population and went beyond those directly caused by the virus. Evidence suggests that this overburden is due to complex interactions between individual and structural factors. Some groups of working migrants were in vulnerable positions, overrepresented in essential jobs, under precarious work conditions, and ineligible for social benefits or special COVID-19 economic assistance. This study aimed to explore the experience of migrants working in Norway during the COVID-19 pandemic to gather an in-depth understanding of the pandemic´s impact on their health and well-being, focusing on occupation-related factors. METHODS In-depth personal interviews with 20 working migrants from different job sectors in Bergen and Oslo were conducted. Recruitment was performed using a purposive sampling method. Thematic analysis was used. RESULTS At the workplace level, factors such as pressure to be vaccinated, increased in occupational hazards, and increased structural discrimination negatively impacted migrants' health. Other factors at the host country context, such as changes in social networks in and out of the workplace and changes in the labour market, also had a negative effect. However, the good Norwegian welfare system positively impacted migrants' well-being, as they felt financially protected by the system. Increased structural discrimination was the only factor clearly identified as migrant-specific by the participants, but according to them, other factors, such as changes in social networks in and out of the workplace and social benefits in Norway, seemed to have a differential impact on migrants. CONCLUSIONS Occupational-related factors affected the health and well-being of working migrants during the pandemic. The pressure to get vaccinated and increased structural discrimination in the workplace need to be addressed by Norwegian authorities as it could have legal implications. Further research using intersectional approaches will help identify which factors, besides discrimination, had a differential impact on migrants. This knowledge is crucial to designing policies towards zero discrimination at workplaces and opening dialogue arenas for acknowledging diversity at work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierina Benavente
- Pandemic Centre, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
| | - Elena Ronda
- Department of Community Nursing, Preventive Medicine and Public Health and History of Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
- CIBER for Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Health Institute Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Esperanza Diaz
- Pandemic Centre, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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Haider W, Salonen L. Disability pension and sociodemographic & work-related risk factors among 2.3 million migrants and natives in Finland (2011-2019): a prospective population study. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:1977. [PMID: 37821921 PMCID: PMC10568789 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-16880-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increasing employment and immigration have been proposed as possible solutions to tackle the problem of the labour force shortage in aging societies. Ensuring sufficient health and work ability among migrants is a key factor in increasing and maintaining their employment. Many studies have found higher disability pension (DP) rates among migrants compared to natives but such studies lack in determining the risk of DP by occupational class and industrial sector. This study explores the risk of DP and the contribution of sociodemographic and work-related factors between migrants and natives in Finland. METHODS Full-population panel data obtained from the administrative registers of Statistics Finland were used to study 2.3 million individuals aged 25-60 years in 2010. We calculated hazard ratios (HR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) to estimate the risk of having a DP in 2011-2019 using Cox proportional hazard models adjusting for different sociodemographic and work-related factors. RESULTS Compared to natives, migrants had a lower risk of a DP (HR 0.58, 95% CI 0.53-0.63). We found great variation between countries of origin, where compared to natives, migrants from refugee-exporting countries (HR 1.37, 95% CI 1.22-1.53) and other non-European countries (HR 1.30; CI 1.18-1.43) had a higher risk of DP, but migrants from other countries did not differ or had a slightly lower risk of DP than natives. The associations between sociodemographic factors and the risk of DP were very similar between natives and migrants. CONCLUSION Migrants had a lower risk of a DP than natives except for migrants from outside Europe. The associations between different sociodemographic and work-related factors and the risk of DP were similar between natives and migrants and did not completely explain the differences in the risk of DP.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Laura Salonen
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health & University of Turku, Turku, Finland
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Arocena P, García-Carrizosa LM. Determinants of the duration of sick leave due to occupational injuries: Evidence from Spanish manufacturing. JOURNAL OF SAFETY RESEARCH 2023; 86:311-317. [PMID: 37718059 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsr.2023.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Despite the significant economic impact of occupational injuries on companies and society, studies focused on analyzing the determinants of workdays lost due to sick leave remain scarce and incomplete. This paper contributes to this issue by (a) analyzing the drivers of sick leave duration, distinguishing factors that explain the health recovery time from those that could lead workers to a voluntary extension of the absence period, and (b) formulating and empirically testing the effect of gender, citizenship, temporary work, job tenure, amount of disability benefit, and size of the injured worker's firm on the number of days the employee is off work after the injury. METHOD Hypotheses are tested on a comprehensive dataset that includes all nonfatal occupational injuries causing sick leave that occurred in the manufacturing sector in Spain during 2015-2019, with more than 400,000 injuries. We conduct ordinary least squares and count data regression models in which the number of days off work is regressed on employees and work characteristics while accounting for a set of variables to control the injury's nature and severity. RESULTS The results show that after considering the intrinsic characteristics of the injury and the severity of the worker's injuries, women, native workers, workers with more seniority, workers with higher salaries, and those working in larger companies have longer periods of sick leave. The results suggest that moral hazard considerations significantly impact the time to return to work after an occupational injury. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Based on the findings, several insights for company managers and public decision-makers are discussed. Specifically, interventions aimed at improving the organization of work and the working conditions of workers in manufacturing industries are highlighted, as well as the need to improve control and supervision mechanisms during the recovery process of injured workers.
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Herold R, Lieb M, Borho A, Voss A, Unverzagt S, Morawa E, Erim Y. Relationship between working conditions and mental health of migrants and refugees/asylum seekers vs. natives in Europe: a systematic review. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2023; 96:931-963. [PMID: 37439904 PMCID: PMC10361874 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-023-01981-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Migrants and refugees/asylum seekers make up a significant proportion of the European workforce. They often suffer from poor working conditions, which might impact mental health. The main objective of this systematic review was to summarize and analyze existing research on working conditions of migrants and refugees/asylum seekers in European host countries and compare them to those of natives. Furthermore, the relationship between working conditions and mental health of migrants/refugees/asylum seekers and natives will be compared. METHODS Three electronic databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, PsycInfo and CINAHL) were systematically searched for eligible articles using quantitative study designs written in English, German, French, Italian, Polish, Spanish or Turkish and published from January 1, 2016 to October 27, 2022. Primary health outcomes were diagnosed psychiatric and psychological disorders, suicide (attempts), psychiatric and psychological symptoms, and perceived distress. Secondary health outcomes were more general concepts of mental health such as well-being, life satisfaction and quality of life. Screening, data extraction and the methodological quality assessment of primary studies by using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale were done independently by two reviewers. The results of the primary studies were summarized descriptively. Migrants and refugees/asylum seekers were compared with natives in terms of the association between working conditions and mental health. RESULTS Migrants and refugees often face disadvantages at work concerning organizational (low-skilled work, overqualification, fixed-term contracts, shift work, lower reward levels) and social conditions (discrimination experiences) in contrast to natives. Most unfavorable working conditions are associated with worse mental health for migrants as well as for natives. CONCLUSIONS Even if the results are to be taken with caution, it is necessary to control and improve the working conditions of migrants and refugees/asylum seekers and adapt them to those of the native population to maintain their mental health and thus their labor force.
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Affiliation(s)
- Regina Herold
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, 91054, Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Marietta Lieb
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Andrea Borho
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Amanda Voss
- Institute and Outpatient Clinic of Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Susanne Unverzagt
- Center of Health Sciences, Institute of General Practice and Family Medicine, Martin-Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Eva Morawa
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Yesim Erim
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
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Ulusoy N, Nienhaus A, Brzoska P. Investigating discrimination in the workplace. Translation and validation of the Everyday Discrimination Scale for nursing staff in Germany. BMC Nurs 2023; 22:196. [PMID: 37291521 DOI: 10.1186/s12912-023-01367-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Everyday Discrimination Scale (EDS) is a frequently used questionnaire in the field of health and social psychology that aims to explore perceptions of discrimination, especially instances of injustice related to various diversity characteristics. No adaptation to health care staff exists. The present study translates and adapts the EDS to nursing staff in Germany and examines its reliability and factorial validity as well as its measurement equivalence between men and women and different age groups. METHODS The study was based on an online survey conducted among health care staff of two hospitals and two inpatient care facilities in Germany. The EDS was translated using a forward-backward translation approach. Direct maximum likelihood confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to examine the factorial validity of the adapted EDS. Differential item functioning (DIF) related to age and sex was investigated by means of multiple indicators, multiple causes (MIMIC) models. RESULTS Data on 302 individuals was available, of whom 237 (78.5%) were women. The most commonly employed one-factor, 8-item baseline model of the adapted EDS showed a poor fit (RMSEA = 0.149; CFI = 0.812; TLI = 0.737; SRMR = 0.072). The model fit improved considerably after including three error covariances between items 1 and 2, items 4 and 5, and items 7 and 8 (RMSEA = 0.066; CFI = 0.969; TLI = 0.949; SRMR = 0.036). Item 4 showed DIF related to sex and age, item 6 showed DIF related to age. DIF was moderate in size and did not bias the comparison between men and women or between younger and older employees. CONCLUSIONS The EDS can be considered a valid instrument for the assessment of discrimination experiences among nursing staff. Given that the questionnaire, similar to other EDS adaptations, may be prone to DIF and also considering that some error covariances need to be parameterized, latent variable modelling should be used for the analysis of the questionnaire.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazan Ulusoy
- Institute for Health Services Research in Dermatology and Nursing (CVcare), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Martinistrasse 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Albert Nienhaus
- Institute for Health Services Research in Dermatology and Nursing (CVcare), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Martinistrasse 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Hazardous Substances and Public Health, German Social Accident Insurance Institution for Health and Welfare Services, 22089, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Patrick Brzoska
- Health Services Research, Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Witten/Herdecke University, Alfred-Herrhausen-Straße 50, 58448, Witten, Germany.
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Ugreninov E. Absence Due to Sickness Among Female Immigrants: Disadvantages Over the Career? JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION AND INTEGRATION 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s12134-023-01016-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
AbstractThe extent to which and where immigrants’ health may deteriorate in the integration process is less understood. This study extends the current knowledge by focusing on sickness absence in Norway among female immigrants working within eight occupations where few formal skills are required. Administrative register data with a total sample of 261,291 native women and 9251 female refugees or families reunited are used to examine the native-immigrant gap in absence due to sickness during a 10-year period. The main findings are that female immigrants are less likely to have at least one sickness absence spell compared to natives, and that the native-immigrant gap in sickness absence was rather stabile when the number of years worked in these occupations was considered. This study shows that immigrants follow the same pattern as natives and suggests that the native-immigrant gap in absence due to health should be nuanced and focus more on why several years in these occupations increase the probability of sickness absence, independent of country of origin.
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Senthanar S, Dali N, Khan TH. A scoping review of refugees' employment integration experience and outcomes in Canada. Work 2023; 75:1165-1178. [PMID: 36776088 DOI: 10.3233/wor-220221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Refugees involuntarily arrive to Canada to escape unfavourable conditions in their home country. Employment is an important marker of integration and a foundational determinant of health yet; little is known about the employment integration experiences of refugees as a distinct group of workers in Canada. OBJECTIVE This scoping review was completed to explore the employment experience and outcomes of refugees in Canada and to identify gaps in the literature. METHODS Three databases were searched for peer-reviewed articles published in English over a 25-year period, 1993 to 2018, for research on refugees and employment in the Canadian context. The research team reviewed all articles, including abstract screening, full text review and data extraction; consensus on inclusion was reached for all articles. Relevant articles were synthesized for overarching themes. RESULTS The search strategy identified 2,723 unique articles of which 16 were included in the final sample. There was a mix of quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods studies which reported on employment rates of refugees, the quality of jobs secured, gendered differences in employment experience and differential impacts of under/unemployment on health and well-being. CONCLUSION The findings suggest that refugees in Canada do not secure jobs that are in line with their previous skills and experience leading to downward occupational mobility and poorer health with refugee women experiencing these outcomes more acutely. Research in this area with long-term outcomes and contextualized experiences is needed, as well as studies that include equity considerations such as racialization and gender.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja Senthanar
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Nada Dali
- Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Tauhid Hossain Khan
- School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
- Department of Sociology, Jagannath University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
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Brendler-Lindqvist M, Tondel M, Helgesson M, Nordqvist T, Svartengren M. Overqualification at work and risk of hospitalization for psychiatric and somatic diseases among immigrants in Sweden - a prospective register-based study. Scand J Work Environ Health 2022; 48:632-640. [PMID: 36052884 PMCID: PMC10546611 DOI: 10.5271/sjweh.4055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study aimed to (i) describe the prevalence of overqualification at work among immigrants in Sweden and (ii) analyze any association between overqualification and the risk of hospitalization for somatic and psychiatric disease among refugees and labor immigrants. METHODS We performed a prospective register study in a cohort of 120 339 adults who immigrated to Sweden in 1991-2005 and were employed in 2006. Education-occupation status was defined as the combination of an individual's highest level of education and their occupation skill level. Individuals were followed from 2007 to 2016 with regard to hospitalization for a psychiatric, cardiovascular, respiratory or musculoskeletal disease or diabetes. Hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated in a multivariate Cox regression analysis adjusted for age, gender, reason for residence and duration of residence. RESULTS The overall prevalence of overqualification among immigrants with an academic education was 39%. Overqualified individuals had an increased risk of hospitalization for any disease (HR 1.33, 95% CI 1.21-1.46) compared to "job-matched with an academic education". However, the risk estimates were lower than that of "job-matched with no academic education" (HR 1.56, 1.46-1.68). The increased risk of hospitalization for a psychiatric disease of overqualified individuals did not differ from that of job-matched with no academic education. CONCLUSION Our study showed that being overqualified was associated with poorer health outcomes than job-matched individuals with an academic education. Considering the high prevalence of overqualification in immigrants, this constitutes a concern, for both society and individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Brendler-Lindqvist
- Department of Medical Sciences, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Martin Tondel
- Department of Medical Sciences, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Magnus Helgesson
- Department of Medical Sciences, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Division of Insurance Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tobias Nordqvist
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Magnus Svartengren
- Department of Medical Sciences, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden
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Handtke O, Günther LV, Mösko M. Assessing the psychosocial work environment of migrant and non-migrant workers in inpatient mental health centres: A feasibility study. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0275003. [PMID: 36170329 PMCID: PMC9518876 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0275003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The number of migrant workers in Germany has increased over the last decades and will probably further increase in the context of a growing cultural diversity of the population and shortage of skilled professionals. Since migrant workers face different challenges, they may experience poorer psychosocial work environments than non-migrants. A negative psychosocial work environment can increase burnout and depression symptoms. To this date no study has investigated differences in the perceived psychosocial work environment in the mental health field. The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of a cross sectional study comparing the perceived psychosocial work environment of migrants and non-migrant workers in inpatient mental health centres in Germany. The study was conducted in four inpatient mental health centres in Germany using the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire. All staff members (N = 659) categorized in seven professional groups were invited to participate in the study. The feasibility of the study was determined by four criteria (1) Implementation of the study in inpatient mental health centres (2) Representativity of the sample (3) Reliability and usability of the questionnaire and (4) Variability of collected data. Three of four feasibility criteria were achieved. The study was successfully implemented in four mental health centres, the usability of the used questionnaire was confirmed as well as the variability of the data. The targeted response rate was partially met, and the total number of migrant workers could not be provided, which limits the representativity of the sample. In conclusion, a main study is feasible, but an effort must be put in an effective recruitment strategy to obtain valid results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oriana Handtke
- Department of Medical Psychology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Lisa Viola Günther
- Department of Medical Psychology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Mike Mösko
- Department of Medical Psychology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Applied Human Sciences, Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences, Stendal, Germany
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Kang SJ, Hwang J, Kim D, Kim B. Factors associated with self-rated health among immigrant workers in South Korea: Analyzing the results of the 2020 survey on immigrants' living conditions and labor force. Front Public Health 2022; 10:933724. [PMID: 36211667 PMCID: PMC9539430 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.933724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Immigrants' health is an emerging public health issue worldwide. This study aimed to measure immigrant workers' self-rated health and identify the factors affecting it. Data were obtained from the nationwide 2020 Survey on Immigrants' Living Conditions and Labor Force in Korea. The data from 14,277 economically active immigrants who participated in the study were analyzed. Self-rated health was measured using one question and divided into dichotomized categories (good and poor). Multivariate logistic regression with a weighted sampling method was used to investigate associated factors, namely, individual, social, and living and working environment variables, and to evaluate the interaction effects with gender. Overall, 23.0% of the participants showed poor self-rated health. The odds ratios for poor self-rated health were high in participants who reported unmet healthcare needs (OR = 3.07, 95% confidence interval: 3.00-3.13) compared to those who reported other factors, followed by moderate job satisfaction (OR = 2.23, 95% confidence interval: 2.20-2.26) and unsatisfied residential environment satisfaction (OR = 1.80, 95% confidence interval: 1.74-1.86). Significant associations were found between self-rated health and most variables, including the interaction test (gender × residential environment satisfaction, education level, working hours, and length of residence). To enhance immigrants' health status, the Korean government must develop strategies to increase their access to healthcare services and minimize unmet healthcare needs. In addition, working conditions must be improved, specifically regarding long working hours and discrimination; furthermore, immigrants' living environments should be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soo Jin Kang
- Department of Nursing, Daegu University, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Jinseub Hwang
- Department of Bigdata Science, Daegu University, Gyeongsan, South Korea
| | - Dohyang Kim
- Department of Statistics, Daegu University, Gyeongsan, South Korea
| | - Bongjeong Kim
- Department of Nursing, Cheongju University, Cheongju, South Korea,*Correspondence: Bongjeong Kim
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Dethlefsen R, Orlik L, Müller M, Exadaktylos AK, Scholz SM, Klukowska-Rötzler J, Ziaka M. Work-Related Injuries among Insured Construction Workers Presenting to a Swiss Adult Emergency Department: A Retrospective Study (2016-2020). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph191811294. [PMID: 36141566 PMCID: PMC9517430 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191811294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Occupational injuries are one of the main causes of Emergency Department visits and represent a substantial source of disability or even death. However, the published studies and reports on construction-occupational accidents in Switzerland are limited. We aimed to investigate the epidemiology of fatal and non-fatal injuries among construction workers older than 16 years of age over a 5-year period. Data were gathered from the emergency department (ED) of Bern University Hospital. A retrospective design was chosen to allow analysis of changes in construction accidents between 2016-2020. A total of 397 patients were enrolled. Compared to studies in other countries, we also showed that the upper extremity and falling from height is the most common injured body part and mechanism of injury. Furthermore, we were able to show that the most common age group representing was 26-35 years and the second common body part injured was the head, which is a difference from studies in other countries. Wound lacerations were the most common type of injury, followed by joint distortions. By stratifying according to the season, occupational injuries among construction workers were found to be significant higher during summer and autumn. As work-related injuries among construction workers are becoming more common, prevention strategies and safety instructions must be optimized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralf Dethlefsen
- Department of Orthopedics, Thun General Hospital, 3600 Thun, Switzerland
| | - Luisa Orlik
- Department of Internal Medicine, Thun General Hospital, 3600 Thun, Switzerland
| | - Martin Müller
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Bern University, 3010 Berne, Switzerland
| | - Aristomenis K. Exadaktylos
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Bern University, 3010 Berne, Switzerland
| | - Stefan M. Scholz
- Department of Statistics, Suva (Swiss National Accident Insurance Fund), 6002 Lucerne, Switzerland
- Central Office for Statistics in Accident Insurance (SSUV), 6002 Lucerne, Switzerland
| | - Jolanta Klukowska-Rötzler
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Bern University, 3010 Berne, Switzerland
| | - Mairi Ziaka
- Department of Internal Medicine, Thun General Hospital, 3600 Thun, Switzerland
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Occupational Health and Safety and Migrant Workers: Has Something Changed in the Last Few Years? INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19159535. [PMID: 35954890 PMCID: PMC9367908 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19159535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Over the last few decades, the migratory phenomenon, supported by social, economic, and political aspects, has become progressively intensified and structured, increasing its relevance as a topic of interest for researchers of various disciplines and, among these, occupational health and safety exerts a prominent role [...]
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Lai H, Due C, Ziersch A. The relationship between employment and health for people from refugee and asylum-seeking backgrounds: A systematic review of quantitative studies. SSM Popul Health 2022; 18:101075. [PMID: 35601219 PMCID: PMC9118911 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2022.101075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Revised: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background For the general population, the positive effects of paid employment on health and wellbeing are well established. However, less is known for people from refugee and asylum-seeking backgrounds. This review aims to systematically summarise the quantitative literature on the relationship between employment and health and wellbeing for refugees and asylum seekers. Method A search strategy was conducted in online databases, including MEDLINE, PsychINFO, EMCARE, SCOPUS, CINHAL, ProQuest and Web of Science. Articles were screened against inclusion and exclusion criteria. Studies published in English between 2000 to October 2021 were included if they used quantitative methods to consider the relationship between employment and health for refugees and asylum seekers in resettlement countries. Study quality was assessed using The Joanna Briggs Institute's Critical Appraisal Tools. Findings were synthesised using a narrative approach. Results Seventy-two papers were identified. The majority of papers (N = 58, 81%) examined the association between employment and mental health outcomes. Overall, while there were inconsistencies in the findings, employment had a positive effect on mental health particularly in reducing levels of psychological distress and depression. Though more limited in number, the papers examining physical health suggest that people who are employed tend to have better physical health than unemployed persons. There was some evidence to support the bi-directional relationship between employment and health. Poor mental and physical health negatively impacted the odds of employment and occupational status of refugees. Conclusion Good quality employment is an essential component of refugee resettlement and this review found that in general employment is also beneficial for refugee health, particularly aspects of mental health. More research regarding the effects of employment on physical health is required. The effects of refugee-specific factors such as gender roles, torture, and trauma on the relationship between employment and health also require further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huyen Lai
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Australia
| | - Clemence Due
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Australia
- School of Psychology, Adelaide University, Australia
| | - Anna Ziersch
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Australia
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Australia
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Nappo N. Self-perceived job insecurity and self-reported health: Differences between native-born and migrant workers based on evidence from the Sixth European Working Conditions Survey. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0267252. [PMID: 35486573 PMCID: PMC9053790 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0267252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper analyses the association between self-perceived job insecurity and self-reported health by comparing two population groups, native-born and migrant workers, in EU15 countries. The econometric analysis employs data from the Sixth European Working Conditions Survey that was released in 2017. The health outcome examined in this study is self-reported health, which is a subjective indicator. Self-perceived job insecurity is an individual’s subjective evaluation of the possibility of future job loss. The association between job insecurity and self-reported health was tested using standard probit models and standard ordered probit models, considering the entire population sample, only native-born workers, only migrant workers. The results show that workers who think that they might lose their jobs have a lower probability of reporting very good and good health than workers who do not worry about losing their jobs, with job insecurity reducing the probability of reporting good health more for migrant workers than for native-born workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nunzia Nappo
- Department of Political Science, Università di Napoli “Federico II”, Napoli, Italia
- * E-mail:
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Shirmohammadi M, Beigi M, Richardson J. Subjective well-being among blue-collar immigrant employees: A systematic literature review. HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT REVIEW 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.hrmr.2022.100914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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25
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Ishimaru T, Teshima A, Kuraoka H, Hara K. Factors associated with occupational accidents during part-time work among international students in Japan. INDUSTRIAL HEALTH 2022; 60:176-182. [PMID: 34645740 PMCID: PMC8980697 DOI: 10.2486/indhealth.2021-0028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the status of and risk factors for occupational accidents occurring during part-time work among international students in Japan. In total, 390 international students who had registered with an online survey company were invited to participate in a cross-sectional study using an online self-administered questionnaire in October 2020. Multiple regression analysis was performed to evaluate factors associated with accidents with absence from work. Among 311 participants, 126 (40.5%) had experienced an occupational accident at their part-time job in the past year, and 27 (8.7%) had lost working days because of accidents. The likelihood of accident with work absence was significantly higher among those with high income (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 4.39, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.57-12.24) and language barrier (adjusted OR = 2.37, 95% CI: 1.03-5.47). International students experienced occupational accidents relatively frequently. These results provide insight to guide occupational safety measures for migrants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomohiro Ishimaru
- Department of Environmental Epidemiology, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan
| | - Ayaka Teshima
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, United Kingdom
| | - Hiroyuki Kuraoka
- Department of Occupational Safety and Health Management, School of Health Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan
| | - Kunio Hara
- Department of Occupational Safety and Health Management, School of Health Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan
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26
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Kim KY. The Association between Working Posture and Workers’ Depression. Healthcare (Basel) 2022; 10:healthcare10030477. [PMID: 35326955 PMCID: PMC8954532 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10030477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Various studies have focused on the association between physical health and working posture. However, little research has been conducted on the association between working posture and mental health, despite the importance of workers’ mental health. This study aimed to examine the association between working posture and workers’ depression. A total of 49,877 workers were analyzed using data from the 5th Korean Working Conditions Survey. We utilized multiple logistic regression to analyze the variables associated with workers’ depression. This study showed that several working postures, such as tiring or painful positions, lifting or moving people, standing, and sitting, were associated with depression in workers. Furthermore, occupation types, job satisfaction, and physical health problems related to back pain and pain in upper (neck, shoulder, and arm) and lower (hip, leg, knee, and foot) body parts were associated with workers’ depression. Therefore, this study demonstrated that working posture is associated with workers’ depression. In particular, working postures causing musculoskeletal pain, improper working postures maintained for a long time, and occupation types were associated with workers’ depression. Our findings demonstrate the need for appropriate management and interventions for addressing pain-inducing or improper working postures in the workplace.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ka Young Kim
- Department of Nursing, College of Nursing, Gachon University, Incheon 21936, Korea
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27
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Urrego-Parra HN, Rodriguez-Guerrero LA, Pastells-Peiró R, Mateos-García JT, Gea-Sanchez M, Escrig-Piñol A, Briones-Vozmediano E. The Health of Migrant Agricultural Workers in Europe: A Scoping Review. J Immigr Minor Health 2022; 24:1580-1589. [PMID: 35133580 DOI: 10.1007/s10903-022-01330-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Agriculture is a niche market for migrant workers, and one of the sectors with the highest rates of accidents, deaths and work-related health problems. To review and synthesize existing literature on the health conditions of international migrant agricultural workers in Europe. A scoping review of scientific literature published until March 2021 was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, WoS and OpenGrey, following Arksey & O'Malley's theoretical framework where 5894 references were retrieved and screened. Nineteen articles were selected, reviewed and synthetized. The country with the highest number of studies published (n = 9) was Spain. The design of the studies was mainly cross-sectional (n = 13). The main health problems identified were: lower back pain and other musculoskeletal problems, dermatitis, gastrointestinal and respiratory infections, anxiety, stress, depression and barriers to access healthcare services. Migrant agricultural workers are a neglected population with conditions of vulnerability and precariousness, physical and mental health problems and poor working conditions. Interventions to reduce or eliminate language, cultural and administrative barriers to ensure access to healthcare services are needed, as well as designing a common European framework to protect the rights of migrant agricultural workers and their families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidy Natalia Urrego-Parra
- Research Group Health and Care of Collectives, Faculty of Nursing, Nacional University of Colombia, Bogotá, DC, Colombia
| | | | - Roland Pastells-Peiró
- Department of Nursing and Physiotherapy, University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain.,Health Care Research Group (GRECS) - Biomedical Research Institut (IRB) Lleida- Dr. Pifarre Foundation, Lleida, Spain.,Society, Health, Education and Culture Research Group (GESEC) of the University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain
| | - José Tomás Mateos-García
- Department of Nursing and Physiotherapy, University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain.,Health Care Research Group (GRECS) - Biomedical Research Institut (IRB) Lleida- Dr. Pifarre Foundation, Lleida, Spain.,Society, Health, Education and Culture Research Group (GESEC) of the University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain
| | - Montserrat Gea-Sanchez
- Department of Nursing and Physiotherapy, University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain. .,Health Care Research Group (GRECS) - Biomedical Research Institut (IRB) Lleida- Dr. Pifarre Foundation, Lleida, Spain. .,Society, Health, Education and Culture Research Group (GESEC) of the University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain.
| | - Astrid Escrig-Piñol
- ESIMar (Higher School of Nursing of the Sea), PSMAR (Centre affiliated to the Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Barcelona, Spain.,SDHEd (Research Group On Social Determinants and Health Education), IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Barcelona, España
| | - Erica Briones-Vozmediano
- Department of Nursing and Physiotherapy, University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain.,Health Care Research Group (GRECS) - Biomedical Research Institut (IRB) Lleida- Dr. Pifarre Foundation, Lleida, Spain.,Society, Health, Education and Culture Research Group (GESEC) of the University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain
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Qureshi SA, Kjøllesdal M, Gele A. Health disparities, and health behaviours of older immigrants & native population in Norway. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0263242. [PMID: 35100306 PMCID: PMC8803195 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
We aimed to investigate and compare activities of daily living (ADL), instrumental ADL (IADL), poor self-rated health and the health behaviours among immigrants and the native population in Norway. We present results from analysis of two Norwegian surveys, (Living Conditions Survey on Health from 2015, Living Conditions Survey among Immigrants 2016). Using logistic regression models, odds ratios were estimated for functional ability, self-reported health, and health behavior among immigrants, with Norwegian born being the reference category. The first model was controlled for age and gender and the second model was additionally adjusted for educational level. Our analysis included 5343 participants, 2853 men (913 immigrants), and 2481 women (603 immigrants), aged 45–79 years. The age-group 45–66 years includes n = 4187 (immigrants n = 1431, men n = 856; women n = 575) and 67–79 years n = 1147 (immigrants n = 85, men n = 57; women n = 28). The percentage of Norwegians having ≥ 14 years of education was 86%, as compared to 56% among immigrants. The percentage of immigrants with no education at all was 11%. The employment rate among the Norwegian eldest age group was nearly double (14%) as compared to the immigrant group. Adjusted for age, gender and education, immigrants had higher odds than Norwegian of ADL and IADL, chronic diseases and overweight. There were no differences between immigrants and Norwegians in prevalence of poor self-reported health and smoking. Overall elderly immigrants are worse-off than Norwegians in parameters of health and functioning. Knowledge about health and functioning of elderly immigrants can provide a basis for evidence-based policies and interventions to ensure the best possible health for a growing number of elderly immigrants. Furthermore, for a better surveillance, planning of programs, making policies, decisions and improved assessment and implementation, ADL and IADLs limitations should be included as a variable in public health studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samera Azeem Qureshi
- Unit for Migration & Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH), Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Public Health Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
- * E-mail:
| | - Marte Kjøllesdal
- Unit for Migration & Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH), Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Public Health Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Abdi Gele
- Unit for Migration & Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH), Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Public Health Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
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Herold R, Wuchenauer F, Kandler A, Morawa E, Unverzagt S, Voss A, Erim Y. Association of cultural origin and migration status with work-related mental health of migrants and refugees in Europe: a systematic review protocol. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e052395. [PMID: 35039288 PMCID: PMC8765017 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-052395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED IntroductionMigrants make up a significant proportion of the European working population. Previous studies have already shown that migrants and refugees often suffer from poor work-related conditions in the host country, which might have an impact on mental health. Thus, the main objective of this systematic review is to analyse and summarise existing research on work-related conditions of migrants and refugees in Europe and to investigate the relationship of these conditions with their mental health. METHODS AND ANALYSIS Three electronic databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, PsycINFO and CINAHL) will be systematically searched for eligible articles using quantitative study designs (randomised controlled trials, cohort, case-control and cross-sectional studies with and without control groups) written in English, German, French, Italian, Polish, Spanish or Turkish and published from 1st January 2016 onwards. The primary health outcomes will be diagnosed psychiatric and psychological disorders, suicide and suicide attempts, psychiatric and psychological symptoms, and perceived distress. The secondary health outcomes will be more general concepts of mental health such as well-being, life satisfaction and quality of life. Outcome measures must have been assessed by validated questionnaires. Screening of all articles, reference lists of included studies and relevant reviews as well as data extraction will be performed independently by two review authors. Methodological quality of primary studies will be assessed and discussed. The results of the primary studies will be summarised descriptively. Migrants and natives, migrants and refugees, migrants of different cultural backgrounds and migrants living in different host countries will be compared in terms of the association between their work-related conditions and their mental health. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This systematic review is excluded from ethical approval because it will use previously approved published data from primary studies. The results of this review will be submitted to a related peer-reviewed journal. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42021244840.
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Affiliation(s)
- Regina Herold
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Frederik Wuchenauer
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Anja Kandler
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Eva Morawa
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Susanne Unverzagt
- Center of Health Sciences, Institute of General Practice and Family Medicine, Martin-Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Amanda Voss
- Institute and Outpatient Clinic of Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Yesim Erim
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
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30
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The Work Environment of Immigrant Employees in Sweden—a Systematic Review. JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION AND INTEGRATION 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s12134-021-00931-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
AbstractThe aim of this systematic review was to summarize and synthesize research results focusing on the work environment of employees with an immigrant background in Sweden. We focus on the main conditions identified in the working environment of immigrant employees and how these conditions may affect their health and well-being. The concept of “minority stress” and the attachment theory are used to understand and interpret the findings. We systematically searched for literature published between the years of 1990 and 2020 in four databases, Web of Science, PubMed, SocIndex, and Academic Search Elite. We started the selection process by reading title and abstracts, then proceeded to read a selection of full-text studies and eliminated those that did not fulfil the inclusion criteria. We did a quality assessment on the full-text studies based on the MMAT-tool, and then performed a narrative synthesis of the results. The results show that immigrants experience several stressors in their work environment, including physical, psychological, and social risks. These risks are, among other things, associated with the nature of the jobs that immigrants are overrepresented in, with minority-related stressors such as discrimination, harassment, and threats on the basis of ethnic background, and with the lack of social support from managers and colleagues. Results also highlight beneficial factors in the immigrants’ working environment and show the importance of a supportive, inclusive, and empowering management. Our main conclusion is that Swedish workplaces need to introduce more active measures to raise awareness of and combat workplace discrimination, work harder to promote inclusion at the workplace, and eliminate physical, psychological, and social health hazards specific to immigrant employees. The leadership and management have an important role to play here, as does the employees’ trade unions and its special functions.
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31
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Gonçalves D, Andrade RLDP, Netto AR. Tuberculosis in international immigrants: profile and vulnerability of cases residing in the municipality of São Paulo, Brazil. J Migr Health 2022; 5:100083. [PMID: 35169762 PMCID: PMC8829127 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmh.2022.100083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To analyze the profile of immigrants with tuberculosis (TB) and to identify the associated vulnerability characteristics. Methods A cross-sectional study which used TB-WEB data from cases residing in São Paulo in 2016 (203 immigrants and 6,069 non-immigrants). The variables were analyzed using prevalence ratio and confidence intervals. Results Among the immigrant cases, 67% were Bolivians. When compared to non-immigrants, immigrants were younger and frequently indigenous or presenting yellow ethnicity. They were also associated with a higher education level. We observed less immigrants having extrapulmonary TB and comorbidities, such as HIV/AIDS, diabetes mellitus, or drug use. Compared to cured cases, immigrants were not associated with treatment default and death, but they were associated with transfer to another state/country. Conclusions Younger individuals and higher education levels were identified among immigrants, as well as a lower occurrence of comorbidities and drug use. It is believed that these results have led immigrants to more favorable outcomes of TB treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise Gonçalves
- Departamento de Medicina Social, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Rubia Laine de Paula Andrade
- Departamento Materno-Infantil e Saúde Pública, Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
- Corresponding author: Rubia Laine de Paula Andrade, Endereço - Av.: Bandeirantes, 3900, Campus Universitário, Ribeirão Preto, SP, CEP 14040-902.
| | - Antônio Ruffino Netto
- Departamento de Medicina Social, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
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Saffari N, Senthanar S, Koehoorn M, McGrail K, McLeod C. Immigrant status, gender and work disability duration: findings from a linked, retrospective cohort of workers' compensation and immigration data from British Columbia, Canada. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e050829. [PMID: 34872998 PMCID: PMC8650469 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-050829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To compare differences in work disability durations of immigrant men and women injured at work to comparable Canadian-born injured workers in British Columbia, Canada. METHODS Data on accepted workers compensation claims and immigration status from 1995 and 2012 were used to compare the number of work disability days paid at the 25%, 50% and 75% for immigrant and Canadian-born injured workers stratified by gender and recency of immigration. RESULTS Immigrant workers comprised 8.9% (78 609) of the cohort. In adjusted quantile regression models, recent and established immigrant women received 1.3 (0.8, 1.9) and 4.0 (3.4, 4.6) more paid disability days at the 50% of the disability distribution than Canadian-born counterparts. For recent and established immigrant men, this difference was 2.4 (2.2, 2.6) and 2.7 (2.4, 4.6). At the 75%, this difference increased for recent immigrant men and established immigrant men and women but declined for recent immigrant women. CONCLUSIONS Injured immigrants receive more work disability days than their Canadian-born counterparts except for recent immigrant women. Both immigrant status and gender matter in understanding health disparities in work disability after work injury. KEYWORDS WORK DISABILITY: immigrant health; linked administrative data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niloufar Saffari
- School of Population and Public Health, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Sonja Senthanar
- School of Population and Public Health, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Mieke Koehoorn
- School of Population and Public Health, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Institute for Work and Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kimberlyn McGrail
- School of Population and Public Health, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Christopher McLeod
- School of Population and Public Health, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Institute for Work and Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Mailan Arachchige Don RK, Hong SC. Sri Lankan migrant worker perceptions of workplace hazard and safety awareness: case of the manufacturing industry in Korea. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND ERGONOMICS 2021; 28:2355-2361. [PMID: 34704538 DOI: 10.1080/10803548.2021.1992158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
This study was carried out to understand the perspective of unskilled Sri Lankan employees in the manufacturing industry to gain a deeper understanding to learn how to utilize expatriate labor meaningfully in a host country workplace. The structural questionnaire was developed according to previous studies and international labor standards and was validated with an expert in the field. The questionnaire included three parts covering the basic information, perception of workplace hazards, and health and safety awareness of workers. Unfamiliar work practices and processes due to lack of safety and work training have become an impediment. Further investigation of this study shows that language is one of the main barriers to living and working in Korea, the findings of this study indicate where employment permit system (EPS) workers appear to be fervent and our research exhibits the unrevealed image of EPS workers in the Republic of Korea.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Seung-Cheol Hong
- Department of Emergency & Disaster Management, Inje University, Korea.,Department of Occupational Health & Safety Engineering,Inje University, Korea
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Senthanar S, Koehoorn M, Tamburic L, Premji S, Bültmann U, McLeod CB. Differences in Work Disability Duration for Immigrants and Canadian-Born Workers in British Columbia, Canada. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:11794. [PMID: 34831550 PMCID: PMC8625680 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182211794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate differences in work disability duration among immigrants (categorized as economic, family member or refugee/other classification upon arrival to Canada) compared to Canadian-born workers with a work-related injury in British Columbia. Immigrants and Canadian-born workers were identified from linked immigration records with workers' compensation claims for work-related back strain, connective tissue, concussion and fracture injuries requiring at least one paid day of work disability benefits between 2009 to 2015. Quantile regression investigated the relationship between immigration classification and predicted work disability days (defined from injury date to end of compensation claim, up to 365 days) and modeled at the 25th, 50th and 75th percentile of the distribution of the disability days. With a few exceptions, immigrants experienced greater predicted disability days compared to Canadian-born workers within the same injury cohort. The largest differences were observed for family and refugee/other immigrant classification workers, and, in particular, for women within these classifications, compared to Canadian-born workers. For example, at the 50th percentile of the distribution of disability days, we observed a difference of 34.1 days longer for refugee/other women in the concussion cohort and a difference of 27.5 days longer for family classification women in the fracture cohort. Economic immigrants had comparable disability days with Canadian-born workers, especially at the 25th and 50th percentiles of the distribution. Immigrant workers' longer disability durations may be a result of more severe injuries or challenges navigating the workers' compensation system with delays in seeking disability benefits and rehabilitation services. Differences by immigrant classification speak to vulnerabilities or inequities upon arrival in Canada that persist after entry to the workforce and warrant further investigation for early mitigation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja Senthanar
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada; (S.S.); (L.T.); (C.B.M.)
| | - Mieke Koehoorn
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada; (S.S.); (L.T.); (C.B.M.)
| | - Lillian Tamburic
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada; (S.S.); (L.T.); (C.B.M.)
| | - Stephanie Premji
- School of Labour Studies, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4M4, Canada;
| | - Ute Bültmann
- Department of Health Sciences, Community and Occupational Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9712 CP Groningen, The Netherlands;
| | - Christopher B. McLeod
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada; (S.S.); (L.T.); (C.B.M.)
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Alemu Gelaye K, Debalke G, Awoke Ayele T, Fekadu Wolde H, Sisay MM, Teshome DF, Akalu TY, Daba Wami S. Occupational Health Problems among Seasonal and Migrant Farmworkers in Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study. Risk Manag Healthc Policy 2021; 14:4447-4456. [PMID: 34744466 PMCID: PMC8566000 DOI: 10.2147/rmhp.s323503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Migrant and seasonal farmworkers are at increased risk for occupational fatalities and injuries. Although such employment-related geographical mobility is receiving increasing attention, there is limited evidence about occupational health problems among seasonal farmworkers. Therefore, this study aims to investigate occupational health problems among seasonal and migrant farmworkers in Ethiopia. Methods A cross-sectional study design was employed from October to December 2019 among seasonal and migrant farmworkers. The study was carried out in two sites of Amhara regional state, northwest Ethiopia. A cluster sampling technique was used to recruit 990 study participants. Bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression analyses were performed using SPSS version 20 to identify factors associated with injuries. The significance level was obtained at 95% CI and p-value ≤0.05. Results In this study, the period prevalence of work-related injury among seasonal and migrant farmworkers was 32.5% (95% CI: 29.7, 35.9). Being unemployed before migration (AOR = 2.22, 95% CI: 1.26, 3.91), working for >8 h/day (AOR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.16, 2.27), stress (AOR = 1.38, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.88) and thermal discomfort (AOR = 1.48, 95% CI: 1.09, 1.98) were the significant risk factors for work-related injury. In addition, nearly two-third (60.9%) of the study participants have shown three or more heat-related illness symptoms. Moreover, the prevalence of work-related stress among seasonal and migrant farmworkers was 67.6% (95% CI: 64.6, 70.7). Conclusion Occupational health problems among seasonal and migrant farmworkers in northwest Ethiopia remain a major public health problem. Hence, implementing tailored preventive measures like training on health and safety, and hazard control measures would be supremely important to minimize the risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kasahun Alemu Gelaye
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Public Health, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Getu Debalke
- Department of Health Education and Behavioral Science, Institute of Public Health, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Tadesse Awoke Ayele
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Public Health, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Haileab Fekadu Wolde
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Public Health, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Malede Mequanent Sisay
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Public Health, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Destaw Fetene Teshome
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Public Health, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Temesgen Yihunie Akalu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Public Health, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Sintayehu Daba Wami
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety, Institute of Public Health, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
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Do HN, Vu M, Nguyen AT, Nguyen HQT, Bui TP, Nguyen QV, Tran NTT, La LBT, Nguyen NTT, Nguyen QN, Phan HT, Hoang MT, Vu LG, Vu TMT, Tran BX, Latkin CA, Ho CS, Ho RC. Do inequalities exist in housing and working conditions among local and migrant industrial workers in Vietnam? Results from a multi-site survey. SAFETY SCIENCE 2021; 143:105400. [PMID: 34511727 PMCID: PMC8425339 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssci.2021.105400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND While internal migrants in Vietnam have been a key driving force in the country's rapid economic development, they also face many vulnerabilities. Our study seeks to explore possible inequalities in housing and working conditions between local and internal migrant industrial workers in Vietnam. METHODS Cross-sectional surveys were conducted with 1200 industrial workers in four regions of Vietnam. Dependent variables included housing conditions (satisfaction with convenience of accommodation, sanitation and water of accommodation, and accommodation in general) and working conditions (satisfaction with income, monthly income, number of hazardous working conditions, and work-related stress measured through the modified Effort-Reward Imbalance Questionnaire). The primary independent variable is migrant status. Covariates included region, gender, education, marital status, accommodation status, living arrangements, industry, age, monthly income, experience, and working hours. RESULTS Of the sample, 24.7% (n=296) were migrants. Overall, no differences were found regarding housing conditions by migrant status. In adjusted regression models, migrants reported higher numbers of hazardous working conditions (β=0.07, 95%CI=0.01-0.13, p=.01) and higher monthly income (β=0.05, 95%CI=0.01-0.09, p=.02). DISCUSSION Recent state-level changes in the Vietnamese household registration system may explain the lack of differences in housing conditions by migrant status. Future research should utilize longitudinal designs to examine impacts over time of state policy on migrants' housing conditions as well as well-being. Regarding working conditions, findings highlight the need for stronger social protection policy and better information channels on occupational health and safety for migrants. Further research, including qualitative studies, is needed to explore why migrants face more hazardous working conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ha Ngoc Do
- Youth Research Institute, Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
| | - Milkie Vu
- Department of Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - Anh Tuan Nguyen
- Department of Research on Youth Culture and Lifestyle, Youth Research Institute, Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
| | - Hoa Quynh Thi Nguyen
- Department of Research on Youth Culture and Lifestyle, Youth Research Institute, Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
| | - Thanh Phuong Bui
- Department of Research on Children’s issues, Youth Research Institute, Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
| | - Quy Van Nguyen
- Department of Research on Youth Culture and Lifestyle, Youth Research Institute, Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
| | - Ngan Thu Thi Tran
- Department of Research on Youth and Legal issues, Youth Research Institute, Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
| | - Ly Bac Thi La
- Hanoi National University of Education, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
| | | | - Quang N. Nguyen
- Institute for Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
- Institute for Global Health Innovations, Duy Tan University, Da Nang 550000, Vietnam
- UnivLyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 69100, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Hai Thanh Phan
- Institute for Global Health Innovations, Duy Tan University, Da Nang 550000, Vietnam
- Faculty of Medicine, Duy Tan University, Da Nang 550000, Vietnam
| | - Men Thi Hoang
- Institute for Global Health Innovations, Duy Tan University, Da Nang 550000, Vietnam
- Faculty of Medicine, Duy Tan University, Da Nang 550000, Vietnam
| | - Linh Gia Vu
- Institute for Global Health Innovations, Duy Tan University, Da Nang 550000, Vietnam
- Faculty of Medicine, Duy Tan University, Da Nang 550000, Vietnam
| | - Thuc Minh Thi Vu
- Institute of Health Economics and Technology, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
| | - Bach Xuan Tran
- Institute for Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
- Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Carl A. Latkin
- Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Cyrus S.H. Ho
- Department of Psychological Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore 119074, Singapore
| | - Roger C.M. Ho
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore
- Institute for Health Innovation and Technology (iHealthtech), National University of Singapore, Singapore 119077, Singapore
- Center of Excellence in Evidence-based Medicine, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam
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Aktas E, Bergbom B, Godderis L, Kreshpaj B, Marinov M, Mates D, McElvenny DM, Mehlum IS, Milenkova V, Nena E, Glass DC. Migrant workers occupational health research: an OMEGA-NET working group position paper. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2021; 95:765-777. [PMID: 34661721 PMCID: PMC8521506 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-021-01803-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emine Aktas
- Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Department of Public Health Nursing, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey.,Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Environment & Health, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Lode Godderis
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Environment & Health, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,External Service for Prevention and Protection at Work, IDEWE, Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Bertina Kreshpaj
- Unit of Occupational Medicine, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Mario Marinov
- South-West University "Neofit Rilski", Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria
| | - Dana Mates
- The National Institute of Public Health, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Damien M McElvenny
- Institute of Occupational Medicine, Edinburgh, UK.,University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Ingrid Sivesind Mehlum
- National Institute of Occupational Health, Oslo, Norway.,Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Evangelia Nena
- Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Deborah C Glass
- MonCOEH, Monash University, 553 ST Kilda Road, Melbourne, 3004, Australia.
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Drydakis N. Adverse working conditions and immigrants' physical health and depression outcomes: a longitudinal study in Greece. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2021; 95:539-556. [PMID: 34490499 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-021-01757-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Τhe study examines whether adverse working conditions for immigrants in Greece bear an association with deteriorated physical health and increased levels of depression during 2018 and 2019. METHODS A panel dataset resulted from the collaboration with centers providing free Greek language courses to immigrant population groups. Random Effects models assess the determinants of physical health and depression. RESULTS Findings indicate that workers with no written contract of employment, receiving hourly wages lower than the national hourly minimum wages, and experiencing insults and/or threats in their present job experience worse physical health and increased levels of depression. Moreover, the study found that the inexistence of workplace contracts, underpayment, and verbal abuse in the workplace may coexist. An increased risk of underpayment and verbal abuse reveals itself when workers do not have a contract of employment and vice versa. CONCLUSION Immigrant workers without a job contract might experience a high degree of workplace precariousness and exclusion from health benefits and insurance. Immigrant workers receiving a wage lower than the corresponding minimum potentially do not secure a living income, resulting in unmet needs and low investments in health. Workplace abuse might correspond with vulnerability related to humiliating treatment. These conditions can negatively impact workers' physical health and foster depression. Policies should promote written employment contracts and ensure a mechanism for workers to register violations of fair practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nick Drydakis
- Faculty of Business and Law, School of Economics, Finance and Law, Centre for Pluralist Economics, Anglia Ruskin University, East Road, Cambridge, CB1 1PT, UK.
- Pembroke College, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- Centre for Science and Policy, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- Institute for the Study of Labor, Bonn, Germany.
- Global Labor Organization, Essen, Germany.
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Adaptation Strategies of Migrant Workers from Ukraine during the COVID-19 Pandemic. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su13158337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has had far-reaching social and economic consequences. They are visible particularly in the functioning of local labour markets, affecting less privileged groups such as migrant workers, in a specific way. Here, our analysis aims to identify the strategies of adaptation of Ukrainian economic migrants to the changing situation in the local labour market in the Poznań agglomeration during the COVID-19 pandemic. The analysis relies on the results from quantitative research on changes in the demand for labour and adjustment of competence of immigrants to the Poznań agglomeration labour market throughout the pandemic and in the perspective of the nearest future, as well as on qualitative research conducted using the IDI (in-depth interviews) technique, carried out via the purposive sampling of 30 economically active Ukrainian migrant workers. The identified adaptation strategies are organised according to the assumptions of Pierre Bourdieu’s concept of capital(s). The capital of the researched group with respect to the labour market is treated as both the potential and resources the immigrants offer, produce, apply, and mutually convert in the implementation of their own adaptation strategies to the changing situation of the labour market. We extracted eight types of migrant adaptation strategies with respect to the labour market. These strategies differ in terms of objectives, resources, time perspectives, and other factors considered to be important from migrants’ perspectives. On the basis of interviews, we were able to assess the robustness of these strategies in view of economic shocks and identify the process of capital conversion and exchange.
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Martínez-Rojas M, Soto-Hidalgo JM, Martínez-Aires MD, Rubio-Romero JC. An analysis of occupational accidents involving national and international construction workers in Spain using the association rule technique. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND ERGONOMICS 2021; 28:1490-1501. [PMID: 33687309 DOI: 10.1080/10803548.2021.1901433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Worker safety awareness on construction sites is a major concern due to the hazardous work conditions. Additionally, globalization is increasing the cultural diversity of the workforce and this influences workers' attitudes, beliefs and behaviour. The growing number of migrant workers in this sector has become a distinctive feature of the industry's labour market. The objective of this article is to analyse occupational accidents that occurred on Spanish construction sites while taking into consideration the nationality of the workers. Due to the large number of accidents and attributes associated with them, the use of association rules is proposed. Overall, results evince similar behaviour, although interesting differences can be observed regarding the occupation of workers. In addition, the results are in accordance with previous studies carried out in other countries. The analysis of these accidents will serve to establish initiatives that provide safer work environments.
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Côté D, Durant S, MacEachen E, Majowicz S, Meyer S, Huynh A, Laberge M, Dubé J. A rapid scoping review of COVID-19 and vulnerable workers: Intersecting occupational and public health issues. Am J Ind Med 2021; 64:551-566. [PMID: 34003502 PMCID: PMC8212119 DOI: 10.1002/ajim.23256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This article reports the results of a rapid scoping review of the literature on COVID-19 transmission risk to workers in essential sectors such as retail, health care, manufacturing, and agriculture, and more particularly the experiences of workers in precarious employment and social situations. METHODS Following scoping review methods, we included 30 studies that varied in terms of methodology and theoretical approaches. The search included peer-reviewed articles and grey literature published between March and September 2020. RESULTS Based on the studies reviewed, we found that COVID-19 infection and death rates increased not only with age and comorbidities, but also with discrimination and structural inequities based on racism and sexism. Racial and ethnic minority workers, including migrant workers, are concentrated in high-risk occupations and this concentration is correlated to lower socioeconomic conditions. The COVID-19 pandemic appears in the occupational health and safety spotlight as an exacerbator of already existing socioeconomic inequalities and social inequalities in health, especially in light of the intersection of issues related to racism, ethnic minority status, and sexism. CONCLUSIONS This review provides early evidence about the limitations of institutions' responses to the pandemic, and their capacity to provide a safe and decent working environment for all workers, regardless of their employment status or the social protections they may enjoy under normal circumstances. It is also important to think about these issues in the postpandemic context, when conditions of precariousness and vulnerability persist and possibly worsen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Côté
- Institut de recherche Robert‐Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST), MontréalQuébecCanada
- Department of AnthropologyUniversité de Montréal, MontréalQuébecCanada
| | - Steve Durant
- School of Public Health and Health SystemsUniversity of WaterlooOntarioCanada
| | - Ellen MacEachen
- School of Public Health and Health SystemsUniversity of WaterlooOntarioCanada
| | - Shannon Majowicz
- School of Public Health and Health SystemsUniversity of WaterlooOntarioCanada
| | - Samantha Meyer
- School of Public Health and Health SystemsUniversity of WaterlooOntarioCanada
| | - Ai‐Thuy Huynh
- Institut de recherche Robert‐Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST), MontréalQuébecCanada
| | - Marie Laberge
- School of RehabilitationUniversité de MontréalQuébecCanada
| | - Jessica Dubé
- Institut de recherche Robert‐Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST), MontréalQuébecCanada
- School of ManagementUniversité du Québec à Montréal (UQAM)QuébecCanada
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Pega F, Govindaraj S, Tran NT. Health service use and health outcomes among international migrant workers compared with non-migrant workers: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0252651. [PMID: 34106987 PMCID: PMC8189512 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The review aimed to synthesise recent evidence on health service use and health outcomes among international migrant workers, compared with non-migrant workers. METHODS A search was carried out in MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, and CINAHL for studies published between Jan 1, 2010, and Feb 29, 2020. Included outcomes were: occupational health service use, fatal occupational injury, HIV, and depression. Two authors independently screened records, extracted data, assessed risk of bias and judged quality of evidence. We meta-analysed estimates and conducted subgroup analyses by sex, geographical origin, geographical destination, and regularity of migration. RESULTS Twenty-one studies were included comprising >17 million participants in 16 countries. Most studies investigated regular migrant workers in high-income destination countries. Compared with non-migrant workers, migrant workers were less likely to use health services (relative risk 0·55, 95% confidence interval 0·41 to 0·73, 4 studies, 3,804,131 participants, I2 100%, low quality of evidence). They more commonly had occupational injuries (1·27, 95% confidence interval 1·11 to 1·45, 7 studies, 17,100,626 participants, I2 96%, low quality of evidence). Relative risks differed by geographical origin and/or destination. There is uncertainty (very low quality of evidence) about occupational health service use (0 studies), fatal occupational injuries (5 studies, N = 14,210,820), HIV (3 studies, N = 13,775), and depression (2 studies, N = 7,512). CONCLUSIONS Migrant workers may be less likely than non-migrant workers to use health services and more likely to have occupational injuries. More research is required on migrant workers from and in low- and middle-income countries, across migration stages, migrating irregularly, and in the informal economy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Pega
- Environment, Climate Change and Health Department, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Srinivasan Govindaraj
- Environment, Climate Change and Health Department, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Nguyen Toan Tran
- Australian Centre for Public and Population Health Research, Faculty of Health, University of Technology, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
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Aldasoro JC, Cantonnet ML. The management of the new and emerging musculoskeletal and psychosocial risks by EU-28 enterprises. JOURNAL OF SAFETY RESEARCH 2021; 77:277-287. [PMID: 34092319 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsr.2021.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Although the strategic framework of the European Union in the field of Health and Safety at Work 2014-2020 considers as one of its main challenges to improve the prevention of diseases related to NERs (New and Emerging Risks) (European Commission, 2014) there are still not many studies in the literature related to them. METHOD An exploratory study was carried out in order to get a picture of the NERs management in the UE-28 countries. The sample was extracted from the ESENER-2 datasets. ESENER-1 was carried out in 2009 and ESENER- 2 in 2014. This survey explores managers' and workers representatives' opinions on health and safety management. It surveyed over 49,000 enterprises in 36 countries. RESULTS The results obtained confirm that there are significant differences between the EU-28 countries in terms of the identification and the management of NERs. Conclusions NERs are becoming an increasingly studied phenomenon due to the changes that are taking place in the labour market: the percentage of temporary workers is increasing, the demands to the workers due to the globalization of the market are more complex and all this with an aging working force. Pratical A pplications It would be necessary to rethink the management of OHS, so that managers are aware that the combination of musculoskeletal and psychosocial risks should have a global approach in order to reduce accident and disability rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Carlos Aldasoro
- Faculty of Engineering of Gipuzkoa, Plaza de Europa 1, 2018 San Sebastián, Spain.
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Work Participation among Women and Men in Sweden: A Register Study of 8.5 Million Individuals. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18094642. [PMID: 33925591 PMCID: PMC8123810 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18094642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Observational research studies from various countries suggest that women's working patterns across the life course are often fragmented compared to men's. The aim of our investigation was to use nationwide register data from Sweden to examine the extent to which generation and time of entry to the work force explain the sex differences in work participation across the life course. Our analyses were based on individual-level data on 4,182,581 women and 4,279,571 men, who were 19-69 years old and resident in Sweden in 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010, or 2015. Data on income and number of net days on disability pension, obtained from multiple linked registers, were used to ascertain each individual's main activity (in paid work, on disability pension, and not in paid work) each year. Years in paid work and on disability pension were calculated as the sums of years spent in either of these states from age 19 to 69 years. We used negative binomial regression to model the associations of generation and baseline year with years in paid work and years on disability pension. All models were run separately for women and men, with the duration of follow-up constrained to one, to account for the different follow-up times between individuals. Overall, the number of years in paid work across the life course was larger among men than women, and men entered into the workforce earlier. The difference between women and men was similar across generations and time periods. Adjustment for education, income, number of children aged <18 years living at home, country of birth, and the type of residential area had minimal impact on the estimates. Our findings suggest that women spend fewer years in paid work across the life course than men, highlighting the need for continued efforts to close the gender gap in work participation.
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Cain P, Daly A, Reid A. How Refugees Experience the Australian Workplace: A Comparative Mixed Methods Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18084023. [PMID: 33921224 PMCID: PMC8069511 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18084023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
There is a growing body of evidence indicating poorer working conditions for migrant workers, particularly refugees, compared with native-born workers. Our objectives were to compare exposure to workplace psychosocial stressors in working refugees with other migrant groups and Australian-born workers of Caucasian ancestry and to describe the working experience of refugees. Cross-sectional surveys collected information on the workplace stressors of job complexity, control, security, bullying, and racial discrimination from six migrant groups (n = 1062) and Caucasian Australians (n = 1051); semi-structured face-to-face interviews were used with currently employed refugees (n = 30). Content analysis examined the qualitative data. Compared to all other groups, working refugees were more likely to report experiencing racial discrimination in the workplace and to report exposure to more than three hazards. Content analysis indicated that working refugees are working below their capacity, in terms of hours and qualifications, and in jobs that were low status and lacked security. Despite challenging work conditions, participants reported adequate health and safety training and feeling a sense of pride in their work. These findings highlight the need for better support for refugees in negotiating the workplace once they find employment and the importance of employers providing an inclusive and equitable workplace.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Cain
- School of Population Health, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Alison Daly
- School of Population Health, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Alison Reid
- School of Population Health, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
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Ziersch A, Walsh M, Due C, Reilly A. Temporary Refugee and Migration Visas in Australia: An Occupational Health and Safety Hazard. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH SERVICES 2021; 51:531-544. [PMID: 33509018 DOI: 10.1177/0020731420980688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Employment and work-related exploitation and discrimination are important social determinants of health. However, little is known about the experiences of people on temporary visas in Australia, particularly those on refugee visas. This article reports on a study of people living on temporary visas in South Australia and their experiences of workforce exploitation and discrimination and impacts on health. Interviews were conducted with 30 people: 11 on non-refugee temporary visas and 19 on refugee temporary visas. Data was analyzed thematically. Analysis identified experiences of exploitation and discrimination in the Australian labor market that included difficulties securing work, underpayment, overwork, and hazardous workplaces. These experiences had negative health effects, particularly on mental health. None had made a formal complaint about their treatment, citing the precarity of their visas, difficulties finding an alternative job, and lack of knowledge about what to do. The impacts were especially evident for refugees who were also grappling with pre-settlement trauma and ongoing uncertainties about their future protection. Overall, these findings of discrimination and exploitation in the workplace and subsequent ill health highlight the pervasive impact of neoliberal agendas and stress the need for industrial, immigration, and welfare reform to protect workers on temporary visas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Ziersch
- Flinders University College of Medicine and Public Health, Health Sciences Building, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
| | - Moira Walsh
- Flinders University College of Medicine and Public Health, Health Sciences Building, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
| | - Clemence Due
- School of Psychology, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Alex Reilly
- School of Law, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
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Helgesson M, Rahman S, Saboonchi F, Mittendorfer Rutz E. Disability pension and mortality in individuals with specific somatic and mental disorders: examining differences between refugees and Swedish-born individuals. J Epidemiol Community Health 2021; 75:721-728. [PMID: 33472869 PMCID: PMC8292560 DOI: 10.1136/jech-2019-213436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Background More than half a million refugees have arrived to Sweden during the last decade. The aim was to investigate differences between refugees and Swedish-born individuals regarding different specific somatic and mental disorders, and subsequent disability pension and mortality. Methods All refugees (n=239 742) and Swedish-born individuals (n=4 133 898), aged 19–60 years, resident in Sweden on 31st of December in 2009 were included in this population-based prospective cohort study. Data from six nationwide Swedish registers were linked by the unique anonymised identification number. HRs with 95% CIs were computed for disability pension and mortality 2010–2013 by Cox regression models. Results Compared with their Swedish-born counterparts with mental or somatic diagnoses, refugees with these diagnoses had a higher risk of subsequent disability pension and a lower risk of mortality. Highest estimates for disability pension were seen for refugees with neoplasm (HR: 1.72; 95% CI: 1.56 to 1.91), musculoskeletal disorders (HR: 1.57; 95% CI: 1.47 to 1.67), diseases of the circulatory system (HR: 1.33; 95% CI: 1.22 to 1.45), depressive disorders (HR: 1.31; 95% CI: 1.21 to 1.41) and diabetes mellitus (HR: 1.30; 95% CI: 1.15 to 1.47). The risk of mortality was lowest for refugees with regard to bipolar disorders (HR: 0.37; 95% CI: 0.16 to 0.82), post-traumatic stress disorder (HR: 0.37; 95% CI: 0.25 to 0.54) and least pronounced in regard to neoplasm (HR: 0.69; 95% CI: 0.61 to 0.77) compared with Swedish-born with similar disorders. Conclusion Refugees have a generally higher risk of disability pension compared with Swedish-born with specific somatic and mental disorders. Despite this, refugees with all specific disorders have lower risk estimates of mortality, probably due to a healthy selection. The higher risk of disability pension might therefore be due to other causes besides poor health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magnus Helgesson
- Division of Insurance Medicine, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Syed Rahman
- Division of Insurance Medicine, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Fredrik Saboonchi
- Division of Insurance Medicine, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Health Sciences, The Swedish Red Cross University, College, SE-102 15 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ellenor Mittendorfer Rutz
- Division of Insurance Medicine, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
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Psychosocial job characteristics and mental health: Do associations differ by migrant status in an Australian working population sample? PLoS One 2020; 15:e0242906. [PMID: 33253270 PMCID: PMC7703972 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0242906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Migrant workers may experience higher burdens of occupational injury and illness compared to native-born workers, which may be due to the differential exposure to occupational hazards, differential vulnerability to exposure-associated health impacts, or both. This study aims to assess if the relationships between psychosocial job characteristics and mental health vary by migrant status in Australia (differential vulnerability). A total of 8969 persons from wave 14 (2014–2015) of the Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey were included in the analysis. Psychosocial job characteristics included skill discretion, decision authority and job insecurity. Mental health was assessed via a Mental Health Inventory-5 score (MHI-5), with a higher score indicating better mental health. Migrant status was defined by (i) country of birth (COB), (ii) the combination of COB and English/Non-English dominant language of COB and (iii) the combination of COB and years since arrival in Australia. Data were analysed using linear regression, adjusting for gender, age and educational attainment. Migrant status was analysed as an effect modifier of the relationships between psychosocial job characteristics and mental health. Skill discretion and decision authority were positively associated with the MHI-5 score while job insecurity was negatively associated with the MHI-5 score. We found no statistical evidence of migrant status acting as an effect modifier of the psychosocial job characteristic―MHI-5 relationships. With respect to psychosocial job characteristic―mental health relationships, these results suggest that differential exposure to job stressors is a more important mechanism than differential vulnerability for generating occupational health inequities between migrants and native-born workers in Australia.
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Ceballos DM, Côté D, Bakhiyi B, Flynn MA, Zayed J, Gravel S, Herrick RF, Labrèche F. Overlapping vulnerabilities in workers of the electronics recycling industry formal sector: A commentary. Am J Ind Med 2020; 63:955-962. [PMID: 32851678 DOI: 10.1002/ajim.23173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Vulnerabilities in workers performing electronics recycling (e-recycling) in the informal sector worldwide have been well documented. However, the growing e-recycling industry in the formal sector still brings many challenges to protect the health of workers and their environment. This commentary aims to draw attention to the overlooked vulnerabilities faced by the workers of the e-recycling industry formal sector in high-income countries and discuss the potential impact on health inequalities experienced by these workers. Expanding the definition of vulnerability, not limited to the biological susceptibility to chemical and physical exposures, the demographic characteristics of workers in the e-recycling formal sector often reveal social groups known to be disadvantaged regarding occupational exposures and health effects, including young workers, immigrant or ethnic minorities, and workers with mental or physical health issues or disabilities. Overlapping structural vulnerabilities of the e-recycling industry stem from its newness, its working conditions, its conditions of employment, and the sociodemographic characteristics of its workforce. This phenomenon in high-income countries is not restricted to the e-recycling industry alone. It is rather a symptom of more generalized macro socioeconomical phenomena. The present challenges are in line with the new gig and green economies and changes in the global market, and their consequences on the solid waste sector. Continued efforts to strengthen the inclusion of social aspects of health into the complex interaction of the structural vulnerabilities met by e-recycling workers will be essential to anticipate and prevent health issues in this essential but still emerging workforce.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana M. Ceballos
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health Boston University Boston Massachusetts
| | - Daniel Côté
- Research and Expertise Division Institut de recherche Robert‐Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST) Montréal Québec Canada
- Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences Université de Montréal Montréal Québec Canada
| | - Bouchra Bakhiyi
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health Université de Montréal Montréal Québec Canada
| | - Michael A. Flynn
- Division of Science Integration National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Cincinnati Ohio
| | - Joseph Zayed
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health Université de Montréal Montréal Québec Canada
| | - Sabrina Gravel
- Research and Expertise Division Institut de recherche Robert‐Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST) Montréal Québec Canada
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health Université de Montréal Montréal Québec Canada
| | - Robert F. Herrick
- Department of Environmental Health Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Boston Massachusetts
| | - France Labrèche
- Research and Expertise Division Institut de recherche Robert‐Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST) Montréal Québec Canada
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health Université de Montréal Montréal Québec Canada
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Daly A, Reid A. Recruiting migrant workers in Australia for Public Health surveys: how sampling strategy make a difference in estimates of workplace hazards. BMC Res Notes 2020; 13:473. [PMID: 33028419 PMCID: PMC7542909 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-020-05320-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison Daly
- School of Public Health, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA, 6845, Australia
| | - Alison Reid
- School of Public Health, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA, 6845, Australia.
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