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Kabir H, Bhullar N, Islam MS, Usher K, Haque ME, Maple M. Prevalence and risk factors of physical and psychological health among readymade garment workers in Bangladesh. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND ERGONOMICS 2023; 29:1572-1583. [PMID: 37715515 DOI: 10.1080/10803548.2023.2260168] [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: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
Objective. Poor health outcomes of Bangladeshi readymade garment (RMG) workers tend to be associated with a variety of occupational factors. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of, and risk factors associated with, the physical and psychological health outcomes of Bangladeshi RMG workers. Methods. Responses to a cross-sectional survey from a convenience sample of 411 adult Bangladeshi RMG workers (mean age = 26.24 years; SD 6.40 years; female = 80%) were analysed using bivariate and multivariate (logistic regression models) analyses. Results. More than half of the participants reported headaches (61.6%) and colds/flu (51.3%), followed by fever (37.2%), diarrhoea (32.8%), bodily pain (29.9%) and respiratory infections (20.9%). For psychological health, stress (69.1%), anxiety (66.2%) and boredom (64.5%) were most prevalent, followed by sleeplessness (51.3%), depression (48.2%) and fear (34.3%). RMG workers from the factories located in Chattogram (a peripheral region compared to Dhaka) reported poorer physical and psychological health outcomes than those working in factories in Dhaka (the capital city of Bangladesh). Overall, compared to males, female RMG workers were more likely to be vulnerable to both physical and psychological health outcomes. Conclusion. Improvement in workplace conditions and safety programmes is needed to safeguard the overall health outcomes of Bangladeshi RMG workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Humayun Kabir
- School of Health, University of New England, Australia
- Department of Sociology, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Navjot Bhullar
- School Psychology, University of New England, Australia
- Discipline of Psychology, Edith Cowan University, Australia
| | | | - Kim Usher
- School of Health, University of New England, Australia
| | | | - Myfanwy Maple
- School of Health, University of New England, Australia
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Al-Shami K, Awadi S, Khamees A, Alsheikh AM, Al-Sharif S, Ala’ Bereshy R, Al-Eitan SF, Banikhaled SH, Al-Qudimat AR, Al-Zoubi RM, Al Zoubi MS. Estrogens and the risk of breast cancer: A narrative review of literature. Heliyon 2023; 9:e20224. [PMID: 37809638 PMCID: PMC10559995 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e20224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
In female mammals, the development and regulation of the reproductive system and non-reproductive system are significantly influenced by estrogens (oestrogens). In addition, lipid metabolism is another physiological role of estrogens. Estrogens act through different types of receptors to introduce signals to the target cell by affecting many estrogen response elements. Breast cancer is considered mostly a hormone-dependent disease. Approximately 70% of breast cancers express progesterone receptors and/or estrogen receptors, and they are a good marker for cancer prognosis. This review will discuss estrogen metabolism and the interaction of estrogen metabolites with breast cancer. The carcinogenic role of estrogen is discussed in light of both conventional and atypical cancers susceptible to hormones, such as prostate, endometrial, and lung cancer, as we examine how estrogen contributes to the formation and activation of breast cancer. In addition, this review will discuss other factors that can be associated with estrogen-driven breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khayry Al-Shami
- Faculty of Medicine, Yarmouk University, P.O Box 566, 21163, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Sajeda Awadi
- Faculty of Medicine, Yarmouk University, P.O Box 566, 21163, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Almu'atasim Khamees
- Faculty of Medicine, Yarmouk University, P.O Box 566, 21163, Irbid, Jordan
- Department of General Surgery, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman, 11941, Jordan
| | | | - Sumaiya Al-Sharif
- Faculty of Medicine, Yarmouk University, P.O Box 566, 21163, Irbid, Jordan
| | | | - Sharaf F. Al-Eitan
- Faculty of Medicine, Yarmouk University, P.O Box 566, 21163, Irbid, Jordan
| | | | - Ahmad R. Al-Qudimat
- Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, QU-Health, Qatar University, Doha, 2713, Qatar
- Surgical Research Section, Department of Surgery, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Raed M. Al-Zoubi
- Surgical Research Section, Department of Surgery, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, QU-Health, Qatar University, Doha, 2713, Qatar
- Department of Chemistry, Jordan University of Science and Technology, P.O.Box 3030, Irbid, 22110, Jordan
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Sambajee P, Scholarios D. Migrant worker well-being as a struggle for meaningful work: Evidence from Bangladeshi migrants in a developing country. ORGANIZATION 2023. [DOI: 10.1177/13505084221145631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
This article analyses the well-being of migrants in the global South for whom employment precarity has become normalized, and working and living conditions are associated with poor health, isolation, limited voice and a general lack of protection. Well-being in such contexts may be considered as a multifaceted phenomenon which manifests itself across work and other life domains to include collective sources of well-being. We also recognize the politics of working life in how precarious workers construct well-being, presenting them as engaged in a struggle for meaning in the absence of objectively meaningful work. First, we explore the objective constraints on well-being at multiple sites (personal, relational, organizational, communal) and, second, we draw from a sociological perspective of meaningful work to explore worker agency in deriving subjective autonomy, recognition and dignity. Qualitative data from 41 Bangladeshi migrants in Mauritian construction, food and textile manufacturing firms showed that despite considerable challenges to personal well-being, workers engaged in informal and agentic strategies which shaped their efficacy, voice and relationships to create meaningful work. The findings reveal mechanisms underlying the construction of meaning in precarious work, showing the implications for gendered and culturally-derived agency, and broadening theory on holistic and contextualized perspectives of well-being.
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Kapilashrami A, John EA. Pandemic, Precarity and Health of Migrants in South Asia: Mapping multiple dimensions of precarity and pathways to states of health and well-being. J Migr Health 2023; 7:100180. [PMID: 37034243 PMCID: PMC10074791 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmh.2023.100180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Mobility patterns in South Asia are complex, defined by temporary and circular migration of low waged labourers within and across national borders. They move, live and work in conditions that expose them to numerous hazards and health risks that result in chronic ailments and physical and mental health problems. Yet, public policies and discourses either ignore migrants' health needs or tend to pathologise them, framing them as carriers of diseases. Their structural neglect was exposed by the ongoing pandemic crisis. In this paper, we take stock of the evidence on the health of low-wage migrants in South Asia and examine how their health is linked to their social, political and work lives. The paper derives from a larger body of work on migration and health in South Asia and draws specifically on content analysis and scoping review of literature retrieved through Scopus from 2000 to 2021 on health of low-income migrants. Utilising the lens of precarity and building on previous applications, we identify four dimensions of precarity and examine how these influence health: i) Work-based, concerned with hazardous and disempowering work conditions, ii) Social position-based, pertaining to the social stratification and intersecting oppressions faced by migrants, iii) Status-based, derived from vulnerabilities arising from the mobile and transient nature of their lives and livelihoods, and iv) Governmentality-based, relating to the formal policies and informal procedures of governance that disenfranchise migrants. We illustrate how these collectively produce distinct yet interrelated and interlocking oppressive states of insecurity, disempowerment, dispossession, exclusion, and disposability that define health outcomes, health-seeking pathways, and lock migrants in a continuing cycle of precarity, impoverishment and ill-health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anuj Kapilashrami
- Professor in Global Health Policy & Equity, School of Health & Social Care, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, UK
- Corresponding author.
| | - Ekatha A. John
- Independent Researcher & Co-Coordinator, Migration Health South Asia Network, Mullai Nagar, Kovilpathagai, Avadi, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
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Dreher A, Yusuf R, Ashraf H, Ahmed SAKS, Gao W, Strümpell C, Loerbroks A. Workplace stressors and their association with hair cortisol concentrations among ready-made garment workers in Bangladesh: A cross-sectional study. J Occup Health 2023; 65:e12426. [PMID: 37752694 PMCID: PMC10522888 DOI: 10.1002/1348-9585.12426] [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: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Psychosocial working conditions of ready-made garment (RMG) workers have been associated with poorer self-reported health outcomes. However, no such research has been done with respect to physiological markers that are considered to reflect stress. We consequently aimed to investigate associations of psychosocial working conditions with such a marker, that is, hair cortisol, among RMG workers in Bangladesh. METHODS We conducted semi-structured face-to-face interviews in labor colonies in the Mirpur area, Dhaka, Bangladesh, in February and March 2021 with individuals identifying as garment workers. The interview inquired after various workplace stressors and resources (i.e., workplace support, workplace bullying, vertical trust, beneficial leadership, work-family conflict, and financial issues including savings, debts, financial obligations, and financial support). In addition, hair samples of 2 cm length were collected from participants. Hair cortisol concentrations (HCC) were determined based on liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Linear regression models were run to detect possible associations of workplace stressors and resources with HCC. RESULTS In total, data of 576 participants were included in the analysis (71.9% female, mean age = 25.9 years). Mean HCC was 4.4 pg/mg (standard deviation = 2.1 pg/mg). The sole variable significantly associated with increased HCC was "having to keep your job to support your children or spouse financially" (β = 0.28 [95% confidence interval 0.02-0.55]). CONCLUSIONS The sole workplace stressor significantly associated with increased HCC was the necessity to keep one's job to support children or spouse financially. This observation can, however, barely be disentangled from the fact that one has children/a spouse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annegret Dreher
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, Centre for Health and SocietyHeinrich‐Heine‐University DüsseldorfDüsseldorfGermany
| | - Rita Yusuf
- International Center for Biotechnology and Health (ICBH), Center for Health Population and Development (CHPD)Independent UniversityDhakaBangladesh
| | - Hasan Ashraf
- Department of AnthropologyJahangirnagar UniversityDhakaBangladesh
| | - Syed A. K. Shifat Ahmed
- International Center for Biotechnology and Health (ICBH), Center for Health Population and Development (CHPD)Independent UniversityDhakaBangladesh
| | - Wei Gao
- Faculty of Psychology, Chair of Biological PsychologyTechnical University DresdenDresdenGermany
| | - Christian Strümpell
- Institute of Social and Cultural AnthropologyUniversity of HamburgHamburgGermany
| | - Adrian Loerbroks
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, Centre for Health and SocietyHeinrich‐Heine‐University DüsseldorfDüsseldorfGermany
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Dreher A, Yusuf R, Ashraf H, Ahmed SAKS, Strümpell C, Loerbroks A. Work-family conflict, financial issues and their association with self-reported health complaints among ready-made garment workers in Bangladesh: a cross-sectional study. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2022; 96:483-496. [PMID: 36480083 PMCID: PMC9734729 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-022-01942-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study aims to quantify the degree of work-family conflict (WFC) and financial issues among ready-made garment (RMG) workers in Bangladesh and to investigate their potential associations with self-reported health outcomes. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional survey among 1118 RMG workers in labor colonies in Dhaka, Bangladesh, in February and March 2021. Descriptive analyses were performed to characterize WFC (i.e., family life disturbing the job or facing problems in family due to the job) and financial issues (i.e., savings, debt, financial obligations, financial support). We ran multivariable Poisson regression models to examine possible associations between WFC and financial issues and workers' health (self-reported general health and 10 specific health complaints). RESULTS We found low levels of WFC, low levels of savings, moderate levels of debt, and high levels of financial obligations: virtually all workers agreed they had to keep their job to financially support their spouse, children or other relatives. Only about a third of workers expected they would be able to receive financial support in case of a job loss. Work-family conflict was positively associated with poor health but not consistently with specific symptoms. Financial support was negatively associated, whereas being indebted was weakly positively associated with poor health. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest low levels of WFC among RMG workers but high levels of financial obligations. Work-family conflict was positively associated with poor health, but not consistently with specific symptoms. Being indebted was weakly positively associated with poor health. Future prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annegret Dreher
- Institute of Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, Centre for Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine, University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Rita Yusuf
- International Center for Biotechnology and Health (ICBH), Center for Health Population and Development (CHPD), Independent University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Hasan Ashraf
- Department of Anthropology, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Syed A K Shifat Ahmed
- International Center for Biotechnology and Health (ICBH), Center for Health Population and Development (CHPD), Independent University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Christian Strümpell
- Institute of Social and Cultural Anthropology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Adrian Loerbroks
- Institute of Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, Centre for Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine, University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
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Dreher A, Yusuf R, Ashraf H, Ahmed SAKS, Strümpell C, Loerbroks A. Social stressors and social resources at work and their association with self-reported health complaints among ready-made garment workers in Bangladesh: a cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:1793. [PMID: 36131265 PMCID: PMC9492303 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-14173-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: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bangladesh is one of the world's largest garment exporters. Physical working conditions of garment workers are precarious and known to largely affect their health. Research on garment workers' psychosocial working conditions, however, is scarce. We aimed to quantify psychosocial working conditions of garment workers and possible associations with workers' health. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional survey among 1,118 ready-made garment (RMG) workers in labor colonies in Dhaka, Bangladesh, in February 2021. Descriptive analyses were performed to characterize social stressors (e.g., being bullied at work, poor leadership) and social resources at work (e.g., receiving support at work, vertical trust between management and employees, beneficial leadership) and workers' health (self-reported overall health and 10 specific health complaints). To examine links of social stressors and social resources with self-reported health outcomes we ran multivariable Poisson regression models yielding prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS We found low to moderate levels of workplace bullying and high levels of poor leadership (i.e., supervisors not caring about workers' problems). We also found high levels of social support, vertical trust and beneficial leadership (i.e., supervisors taking decisions free of bias). Garment workers frequently suffered from health complaints, first and foremost headache (68.3%), cold (55.3%), and back pain (50.7%). Health outcomes were poorer among workers who reported to be bullied at work versus not bullied (e.g., PR 1.55 [95% CI 1.32-1.92] for poor self-reported health when bullied by colleagues) and health was better among those reporting to feel supported versus unsupported (e.g., PR 0.61 [0.52-0.71] for poor self-reported health when supported by supervisor). Perceived vertical trust between workers and management was weakly associated with better health. Leadership behavior did not display a consistent pattern. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that working conditions of RMG workers are rather good (e.g., characterized by low levels of bullying and high levels of support, vertical trust and beneficial leadership). The majority of workers reported good or very good health, although health complaints were frequently mentioned, first and foremost headache, cold, and back pain. Associations between psychosocial working conditions and health indicate worse working conditions being associated with poorer health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annegret Dreher
- Institute of Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, Centre for Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine, University of Düsseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Rita Yusuf
- International Center for Biotechnology and Health (ICBH), Center for Health Population and Development (CHPD), Independent University, Plot #16, Block B, Aftabuddin Ahmed Road, Bashundhara R/A, Dhaka, 1229, Bangladesh
| | - Hasan Ashraf
- Department of Anthropology, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka, 1342, Bangladesh
| | - Syed A K Shifat Ahmed
- International Center for Biotechnology and Health (ICBH), Center for Health Population and Development (CHPD), Independent University, Plot #16, Block B, Aftabuddin Ahmed Road, Bashundhara R/A, Dhaka, 1229, Bangladesh
| | - Christian Strümpell
- Institute of Social and Cultural Anthropology, University of Hamburg, Edmund-Siemers-Allee 1, West, 20146, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Adrian Loerbroks
- Institute of Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, Centre for Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine, University of Düsseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany.
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Life skills training, hope, and health: An interventional study in the North West of Iran during the COVID-19 pandemic. PUBLIC HEALTH IN PRACTICE 2022; 3:100275. [PMID: 35599975 PMCID: PMC9107383 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhip.2022.100275] [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: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Suburbanization is associated with an individual's health. This study aimed to investigate the effect of life skills training on the hope and health of women referred to comprehensive health service centers in the suburbs of Khoy city. Study design quasi-experimental study (Pre-test/Post-test with a control group) Methods in this study, out of 5 comprehensive health service centers, two centers were selected as intervention and comparison groups, and from each center, 37 women were randomly selected. At first, both groups completed the Goldberg general health questionnaire and the Miller hope questionnaire, and the intervention group was taught life skills. At the end of the training, both groups were re-evaluated. Descriptive statistics such as frequency distribution and dispersion indices were used in data analysis. Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Tests were used in inferential statistics. Results Group training in life skills did not significantly affect hope (P.value = 0.972) and various aspects of health (P.value = 0.421). Conclusions It seems that only interventions such as life skills training will not improve suburban women's hope and health. Perhaps improving social infrastructure and comprehensive living conditions in suburban areas will promote hope and health.
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Kabir H, Maple M, Islam MS, Usher K. A qualitative study of the working conditions in the readymade garment industry and the impact on workers’ health and wellbeing. ENVIRONMENTAL AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH PRACTICE 2022. [DOI: 10.1539/eohp.2021-0020-ohw] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Humayun Kabir
- School of Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New England
| | - Myfanwy Maple
- School of Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New England
| | - Md Shahidul Islam
- School of Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New England
| | - Kim Usher
- School of Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New England
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Akhter S, Mahmood N, Rutherford S. A systematic review of the health of internal migrants in Bangladesh. Int J Health Plann Manage 2021; 37:673-690. [PMID: 34773284 DOI: 10.1002/hpm.3380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Internal migrants are more disadvantaged than non-migrants in terms of their health. However, the extent of this difference is unclear. Following the PRISMA guideline, we conducted a systematic review to explore the existing evidence on the health of internal migrants of Bangladesh. We searched Pubmed, Web of Science and Google Scholar to identify peer-reviewed literature on health related issues of the internal migrant population and identified 29 papers for inclusion. Included studies reported health issues or risk factors relating to water, sanitisation and hygiene access and practice, risky sexual behaviour and sexually transmitted infection, mental health status, occupational health status, general healthcare availability, healthcare service utilisation and healthcare seeking behaviour. This systematic review reveals that research on health issues of internal migrants of Bangladesh is limited for common communicable and noncommunicable diseases like waterborne and skin disease, tuberculosis, hypertension and diabetes. Further, despite that many of these migrants are labourers, occupational health related issues like work place accidents, musculoskeletal disorders are insufficiently explored. Barriers to healthcare accessibility in this population are poor socioeconomic status, illiteracy and low general health knowledge. For improved development and implementation of health policies targeting this important population, future studies should focus on understudied diseases and disease prevalence and be designed to elicit from the perspectives of internal migrants, their key health needs around risk factors and health services accessibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadika Akhter
- Health System and Population Studies Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Nabila Mahmood
- Health System and Population Studies Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Shannon Rutherford
- School of Medicine and Dentistry, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
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Chace Dwyer S, Hossain MI, Bajracharya A, Jain A. Reaching women at work with health programming in Bangladesh: results of difference-in-differences analysis among female factory workers. Sex Reprod Health Matters 2021; 29:1991116. [PMID: 34749591 PMCID: PMC8583827 DOI: 10.1080/26410397.2021.1991116] [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] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The rapid growth of Bangladesh’s ready-made garment sector has transformed the country’s economy while also employing a predominantly female workforce. Companies have begun collaborating with NGOs to provide health messages to and expand health services for workers. This study evaluates the effect of the Health Enables Return (HER) health model’s approach of using peer health educators to deliver health messages and increased availability of health products. Using repeated cross-sectional data from female workers in HERhealth and comparison factories between May 2015 and March 2017, baseline (n = 1704) and endline (n = 1503) samples were matched on eight characteristics and then difference-in-differences estimations were used to determine the effect of the HERhealth model on knowledge and behaviours. The average changes over time in knowledge and behaviours were statistically different between the HERhealth and comparison factories. Knowledge of when a woman is at higher risk for pregnancy during her menstrual cycle increased from baseline to endline in both groups but was 12 percentage points greater in the HERhealth factories than in the comparison. An increase in family planning use among ever-married women was observed in the HERhealth factories but decreased in the comparison factories leading to a 12 percentage point difference-in-differences. The greatest effect of the HERhealth model was observed on women’s use of sanitary products for menstrual management which significantly increased in both groups, but the increase was 35% greater in the HERhealth factories. The HERhealth model is effective in increasing knowledge and in improving health behaviours when health products are available in factory infirmaries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Chace Dwyer
- Staff Associate, Population Council, Washington, DC, USA. Correspondence:
| | | | - Ashish Bajracharya
- Deputy Director, Country Strategy, Population Council, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Aparna Jain
- Senior Associate, Population Council, Washington, DC, USA
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Bae SH. The association between health status and job satisfaction among female workers: A nationwide cross-sectional study. Nurs Health Sci 2021; 23:908-915. [PMID: 34561935 DOI: 10.1111/nhs.12882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine the job satisfaction among female workers in Korea and the association between health status and job satisfaction. The Korean Longitudinal Survey of Women and Families was used for this nationwide cross-sectional study. Data from 1570 female workers were analyzed to determine job satisfaction and examine the association between health status and job satisfaction, controlling for other variables such as personal characteristics, work attributes, job opportunities, and work conditions. Analyses included descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation, and multivariate regression. Subjective health status was positively related, while diagnosed disease and depressive symptoms were negatively associated with job satisfaction. Monthly salary, work hours, fringe benefits, and geographical region were also significantly related to female workers' job satisfaction, and commute distance was related to job satisfaction with a small effect size. This study thus found that subjective health status, diagnosed disease, and depressive symptoms were related to female workers' job satisfaction. Health promotion and supporting mental health among female workers may be important managerial strategies for supporting increased job satisfaction in female workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung-Heui Bae
- Associate Professor, College of Nursing, Graduate Program in System Health Science and Engineering, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea
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13
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Hasan AMR, Smith G, Selim MA, Akter S, Khan NUZ, Sharmin T, Rasheed S. Work and breast milk feeding: a qualitative exploration of the experience of lactating mothers working in ready made garments factories in urban Bangladesh. Int Breastfeed J 2020; 15:93. [PMID: 33160366 PMCID: PMC7648991 DOI: 10.1186/s13006-020-00338-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In Bangladesh 65% of children under 6 months of age were exclusively breastfed with maternal employment being a risk factor that has jeopardized exclusive breastfeeding. As Ready Made Garment (RMG) factories have been the largest employer of low income women in Bangladesh, the objective of our study was to explore the barriers and facilitators of breastfeeding and perceptions about use of expressed breast milk among mothers who worked in the RMG sector. METHODS This formative research was conducted during July-September 2015 in two slums of Dhaka among RMG workers who were mothers and the caregivers of 0-12 month old infants. Qualitative data was obtained from purposively selected participants of 8 in-depth interviews and 4 focus group discussions (mothers and caregivers), and 2 key informant (RMG factory official) interviews. Mothers were from multiple RMG factories while factory officials were from a single factory. Thematic analysis was conducted. RESULTS The main themes of qualitative exploration were knowledge and experience of breastfeeding; structural barriers (home and workplace); consequences of inadequate breastfeeding; and perception and experience of using expressed breast milk. Despite knowledge both of the benefits of breast milk and of the importance of breastfeeding for 6 months, most mothers introduced formula as early as 2 months to prepare for their return to work. Barriers such as excessive workload, inadequate crèche facilities at work, and lack of adequate caregivers at home impeded exclusive breastfeeding. Mothers and caregivers had very little knowledge about the use of expressed breast milk and were concerned about contamination. CONCLUSION As RMG factories are the largest employer of low-income women in Bangladesh, facilitating RMG factory working mothers' ability to use breast milk could help to promote infant health and help women remain in the workforce.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Rumayan Hasan
- Health Systems and Population Studies Division (HSPSD), icddr,b, Universal Health Coverage, 68 Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Sarani, Mohakhali, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh
| | | | - Mohammad Abdus Selim
- Health Systems and Population Studies Division (HSPSD), icddr,b, Universal Health Coverage, 68 Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Sarani, Mohakhali, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Shahinoor Akter
- Faculty of Health and Medicine, Schools of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia.,Department of Anthropology, Jagannath University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Nazib Uz Zaman Khan
- Schools of Health and Life Sciences, Federation University, Ballarat, Victoria, 3350, Australia
| | - Tamanna Sharmin
- Monitoring Evaluation Research and Learning (MERL), Plan International, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Sabrina Rasheed
- Health Systems and Population Studies Division (HSPSD), icddr,b, Universal Health Coverage, 68 Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Sarani, Mohakhali, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh.
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Soron T, Hasan T, Jahan Y, Podder V, Salman O, Sayeed A. Telepsychiatry as a mental health intervention for garment workers in Bangladesh: A ‘Need of Hour’ during
COVID-19? POPULATION MEDICINE 2020. [DOI: 10.18332/popmed/125914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
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Moran J, Fitch TJ, Villanueva G, Quadir MM, Chien LC, Alamgir H. Urinary symptoms and infections among female garment factory workers in Bangladesh. Work 2020; 65:847-856. [PMID: 32310214 DOI: 10.3233/wor-203136] [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: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prevalence of urinary symptoms and infections among female garment factory workers in Bangladesh - a large developing country - is largely unknown. Garment sector is this country's main economic growth engine. OBJECTIVES This paper focuses on garment industry workers and compares the findings with another group of low socioeconomic status working women. METHODS Urinary tract symptoms (UTS) were determined by self-reported survey including International Consultation on Incontinence Modular Questionnaire-Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (ICIQ-FLUTS) and urinary tract infection (UTI) was determined among a subset population by urine dipstick tests. RESULTS Data were collected from 310 garment workers and 297 comparison workers. About one third of garment workers (31.94%) and comparison workers (29.97%) could take up to 3 toilet breaks in a day. Garment workers reported to be more sexually active and menstruation was more common among them compared to comparison workers. They reported a significantly higher prevalence of malodorous urine and vaginal discharge. Garment workers were found to have a significantly higher ICIQ-FLUTS score of voiding than comparison workers (0.44 vs. 0.27; p-value = 0.0167).Among the study respondents, 148 garment workers and 134 other workers provided urine samples and 21 (7.45%) were found to have UTI. After considering all the risk factors in multivariate model, garment work had a significant impact on the probability of having UTI with Odds Ratio of 5.46 (p-value = 0.0374; 95% CI = 1.10, 26.97) compared to other workers. CONCLUSIONS This study highlights the prevalence and burden of urinary symptoms and infections among female worker populations in Bangladesh.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Lung-Chang Chien
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Epidemiology and Biostatistics Program, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, USA
| | - Hasnat Alamgir
- Department of Pharmacy, East West University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
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Arghavanian FE, Roudsari RL, Heydari A, Bahmani MND. Pregnant Women's Experiences of Social Roles: An Ethnophenomenological Study. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF NURSING AND MIDWIFERY RESEARCH 2020; 25:31-39. [PMID: 31956595 PMCID: PMC6952915 DOI: 10.4103/ijnmr.ijnmr_54_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2019] [Revised: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Background: The role of women and men is changing across the world, and women, including pregnant women, are adopting newer roles in traditional societies like Iran. This study aimed to explore the meaning of pregnant women's experiences regarding their social roles in the sociocultural context of Iran. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out using an ethnophenomenological approach. Participants included 16 pregnant women who attended health centers, hospitals, and private obstetric clinics in Mashhad, Iran, between 2016 and 2017 and were selected based on purposive sampling. In-depth semistructured interviews, vignette interviews, participant observations, and field notes were used to collect data. To analyze data, six-step van Manen's (1997) descriptive-interpretive phenomenological approach was used. Results: Through data analysis, the overarching theme of “selection, management, and adjustment of various roles to play social roles” was emerged. This was consisted of four themes: “Mother's perspective regarding out-of-home employment, incompatibility between pregnancy and social roles, mother's management strategies to play different roles, and husband's authority regarding mother's employment.” Conclusions: The consequence of reciprocal endeavors of pregnant women along with their husbands as well as their work environment expectations tends to selection, management, and adjustment of feminine roles. Since the employment of pregnant women leads to their more physical and psychological involvement, not only the problems of working women but also the expectations and rules of the workplaces as well as the requests of their husbands should be taken into account.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Erfanian Arghavanian
- Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Robab Latifnejad Roudsari
- Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Abbas Heydari
- Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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Abstract
Migrant workers show an increase in the incidence of serious, psychotic, anxiety, and post-traumatic disorders due to a series of socio-environmental variables, such as loss of social status, discrimination, and separations from the family. The purpose is to elaborate a systematic review and highlight the prevailing psychological pathologies of these workers and categories most at risk. Our research included articles published from 2009 to 2019 on the major databases (Pub Med, Cochrane Library, and Scopus) using a combination of some keywords. The online search indicated 1.228 references. Using inclusion and exclusion criteria, we analyzed 127 articles, in particular 12 reviews and 115 original articles. Principal emerging disorders from the research are depressive syndrome (poor concentration at work, feeling down, or anger and somatization), anxiety, alcohol or substance abuse, and poor sleep quality. This causes low life conditions, which is also due to marginalization from the social context and strenuous work; in fact, migrant workers may suffer verbal or physical abuse, and they are often employed in dangerous, unhealthy jobs. It is therefore essential to increase the role of occupational medicine and promote wellbeing for this vulnerable job category.
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Effectiveness of Workplace Nutrition Programs on Anemia Status among Female Readymade Garment Workers in Bangladesh: A Program Evaluation. Nutrients 2019; 11:nu11061259. [PMID: 31163648 PMCID: PMC6627420 DOI: 10.3390/nu11061259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2019] [Revised: 05/20/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Eight in ten female readymade garment (RMG) workers in Bangladesh suffer from anemia, a condition which damages both health and productivity. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a workplace nutrition program on anemia reduction in female RMG workers of Bangladesh. A quasi-experimental mixed method study was conducted on 1310 non-pregnant female RMG workers from four factories. Two types of intervention packages (A and C) were tested against their respective controls (B and D) over a 10-month period. Among factories that already provided lunch to workers with regular behavior change counseling (BCC), one intervention (A) and one control (B) factory were selected, and among factories that did not provide lunches to their workers but provided regular BCC, one intervention (C) and one control (D) factory were selected: (A) Lunch meal intervention package: daily nutritionally-enhanced (with fortified rice) hot lunch, once weekly iron-folic acid (IFA) supplement and monthly enhanced (with nutrition module) behavior change counseling (BCC) versus (B) Lunch meal control package: regular lunch and BCC; and (C) Non-meal intervention package: twice-weekly IFA and enhanced BCC versus (D) Non-meal control package: BCC alone. Body weight and capillary hemoglobin were measured. Changes in anemia prevalence were estimated by difference-in-difference (DID) method. Thematic analysis of qualitative in-depth interviews with RMG workers was performed and findings were triangulated. Anemia was reduced significantly in both lunch meal and non-meal intervention (A and C) group (DID: 32 and 12 percentage points, p: <0.001 and <0.05 respectively). The mean hemoglobin concentration also significantly increased by 1 gm/dL and 0.4 gm/dL in both A and C group (p: <0.001 respectively). Weight did not change in the intervention groups (A and C) but significantly increased by more than 1.5 kg in the comparison groups (B and D). The knowledge of different vitamin and mineral containing foods and their benefits was increased significantly among all participants. Workplace nutrition programs can reduce anemia in female RMG workers, with the greatest benefits observed when both nutritionally enhanced lunches and IFA supplements are provided.
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Akhter S, Rutherford S, Chu C. What makes pregnant workers sick: why, when, where and how? An exploratory study in the ready-made garment industry in Bangladesh. Reprod Health 2017; 14:142. [PMID: 29084552 PMCID: PMC5663089 DOI: 10.1186/s12978-017-0396-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2017] [Accepted: 10/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Bangladesh has made significant progress in reducing maternal mortality. Many factors have contributed to this; one is the socio-economic development of the country. The ready-made garment industry is at the forefront of this development creating employment for many women. However, the work environment has the potential to create health problems, particularly for vulnerable groups such as pregnant women. This paper explores perceptions of health problems during pregnancy of factory workers, in this important industry in Bangladesh. Methods This study was conducted in four factories using qualitative research methods to provide a view of pregnant workers’ health risks beyond a bio-medical approach. Data was collected through in-depth interviews of pregnant workers and observations of their homes and workplaces. Further, key informant interviews with factory health care providers, government officials and employers revealed different perspectives and experiences. Data was collected in the local language (Bengali), then transcribed and analysed using a framework analysis approach. Results Female workers reported that participation in paid work created an opportunity for them to earn money but pregnancy and the nature of the job, including being pressured to meet the production quota, pressure to leave the job because of their pregnancy and withholding of maternity benefits, cause stress, anxiety and may contribute to hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. This was confirmed by factory doctors who suggested that developing hypertensive disorders during pregnancy was influenced by the nature of work and stress. The employers seemed focused on profit and meeting quotas and the health of pregnant workers appeared to be a lower priority. This study found that the government lacks the resources to understand the extent of the problem or the level of compliance with maternity related regulations. Conclusions These results indicate the vulnerability of female workers to physical and mental stress at work and associations with their health problems during pregnancy. It identifies the deficiencies of family, workplace and health service support for these pregnant workers, highlighting the urgent need for government and non-government organisations to work with this important export industry to improve health surveillance and monitoring and the enforcement of existing laws to protect the rights and conditions of pregnant women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadika Akhter
- Centre for Environment and Population Health, Brisbane, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Nathran, Brisbane, QLD, 4111, Australia. .,International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka, Bangladesh.
| | - Shannon Rutherford
- Centre for Environment and Population Health, Brisbane, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Nathran, Brisbane, QLD, 4111, Australia
| | - Cordia Chu
- Centre for Environment and Population Health, Brisbane, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Nathran, Brisbane, QLD, 4111, Australia
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