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Wong ELY, Qiu H, Sun KS, Mo PKH, Lai AHY, Yam CHK, Miao HY, Cheung AWL, Yeoh EK. Social Support, Resilience, and Mental Health Among Three High-Risk Groups in Hong Kong: A Mediation Analysis. Int J Public Health 2024; 69:1606828. [PMID: 38681117 PMCID: PMC11045880 DOI: 10.3389/ijph.2024.1606828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Objectives To compare the prevalence of anxiety/depression, resilience, and social support among nurses, foreign domestic helpers (FDHs), and residents living in subdivided units (SDUs), and to examine their associations in these high-risk groups in Hong Kong during Omicron waves. Methods We recruited 1,014 nurses, 621 FDHs, and 651 SDU residents from December 2021 to May 2022 in this cross-sectional survey. The depression, anxiety, social support, and resilience levels were measured by the validated scales. The multivariate binary logistic regression and causal mediation analysis were applied to examine the associations. Results We observed a prevalence of 17.7% in anxiety and 21.6% in depression which were the highest in SDU residents, followed by FDHs, and lowest in nurses. Social support was associated with increased resilience levels and decreased risks of anxiety/depression. The association of social support with mental disorders was partly mediated by resilience, accounting for 30.9% and 20.9% of the total effect of social support on anxiety and depression, respectively. Conclusion Public health strategies should target improving social support and providing resilience-promoting interventions to help reduce mental disorders in vulnerable groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliza Lai-Yi Wong
- Centre for Health Systems and Policy Research, JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
- JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Hong Qiu
- Centre for Health Systems and Policy Research, JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
- JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Kai-Sing Sun
- Centre for Health Systems and Policy Research, JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
- JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Phoenix Kit-Han Mo
- Centre for Health Systems and Policy Research, JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
- JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Angel Hor-Yan Lai
- Department of Applied Social Sciences, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Carrie Ho-Kwan Yam
- Centre for Health Systems and Policy Research, JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
- JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ho-Yee Miao
- Centre for Health Systems and Policy Research, JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
- JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Annie Wai-Ling Cheung
- Centre for Health Systems and Policy Research, JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
- JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Eng-Kiong Yeoh
- Centre for Health Systems and Policy Research, JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
- JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
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Wang X, Watson BM. Exploring Foreign Domestic Workers' Perceived Contextual Factors That Influence Their Participation in Medical Consultations: An Ecological Lens. HEALTH COMMUNICATION 2024; 39:161-172. [PMID: 36581461 DOI: 10.1080/10410236.2022.2162233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Foreign domestic workers have reported various health problems after moving to Hong Kong, which suggests the need for them to seek medical attention. Yet, much uncertainty exists about their perception of healthcare experiences as patients, particularly how they perceive their communication with ethnic-discordant healthcare providers. Drawing on foreign domestic workers' perspectives, we extracted non-interpersonal factors from Street's ecological model and its extension proposed by Head and Bute (2018) and examined how foreign domestic workers perceived these contextual factors affected their communication with healthcare providers. Thematic analysis was conducted on thirty Filipina and Indonesian domestic workers' narratives. Our findings confirmed that the context of digital media (characterized by Internet use and the adoption of a telemedicine approach) and the context of social ties (characterized by employers' involvement and everyday communication with friends and peers) were both potential contextual factors that domestic workers reported accounted for their participation in medical encounters. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed. Future research building on these findings is proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xixi Wang
- Department of English and Communication, The International Research Centre for the Advancement of Health Communication, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
| | - Bernadette Maria Watson
- Department of English and Communication, The International Research Centre for the Advancement of Health Communication, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
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3
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Winata F, McLafferty SL. Therapeutic landscapes, networks, and health and wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic: A mixed-methods study among female domestic workers. Soc Sci Med 2023; 322:115803. [PMID: 36931104 PMCID: PMC9946732 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.115803] [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: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has had profound impacts on access to and use of therapeutic landscapes and networks, especially for people who are vulnerable due to economic, social, and work-related disadvantage. For one such vulnerable population, Indonesian female domestic workers (FDWs) in Hong Kong, this study employed a mixed methods approach to examine the associations between perceptions of therapeutic landscapes (TLs), therapeutic networks (TNs), subjective wellbeing, and self-rated health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data from an online survey were analyzed via structural equation modeling (SEM) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to investigate the direct and indirect associations between TLs, TNs, and health and wellbeing. The findings demonstrate little or no association among FDWs' perceptions of TLs and TNs and FDWs' self-rated health and subjective wellbeing, except for a negative total association between TL and subjective wellbeing. Using insights gleaned from thematic analysis of in-depth interviews with FDWs, we suggest that these unexpected findings are mainly due to restricted access to public places, reduced social gatherings, and the fact that employers rarely granted days off during the lockdown. Although processes at the employer and municipal scales limited FDWs' access to therapeutic places, increased use of digital communications and spaces provided an important source of social and emotional support during the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fikriyah Winata
- Department of Geosciences, Mississippi State University, 108 Hilbun Hall, 355 Lee Boulevard, Mississippi State, MS 39762, USA.
| | - Sara L McLafferty
- Department Geography and Geographic Information Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Natural History Building, 1301 W. Green St. Urbana, Illinois, 61801, USA.
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Banta V, Pratt G. Immobilized by the pandemic: Filipino domestic workers and seafarers in the time of COVID-19. TRANSACTIONS (INSTITUTE OF BRITISH GEOGRAPHERS : 1965) 2022; 48:TRAN12598. [PMID: 36721429 PMCID: PMC9880725 DOI: 10.1111/tran.12598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
This essay documents the experiences of two different groups of 'essential' Filipino migrant workers: female domestic workers and male seafarers, each confined in new ways in their work/home situations and spaces. These two categories of workers make up a large proportion of migrants within the Philippines' extensive export labor economy. For domestic workers, the Canadian government virtually stopped processing applications for permanent resident status. Held in limbo in their temporary work status, many domestic workers experienced increased employer control over their movements and their bodies. Seafarers have been no less immobilized, disallowed from leaving their workplace (their ship) when in port or within the normal and expected work period of 9 months at sea. Extended 'shifts' at sea for some seafarers have left other seafarers at home, waiting in the Philippines in precarious situations of loss of income and mounting debt. In the case of both domestic workers and seafarers, the pandemic and a range of state and international regulatory failures and/or gaps have placed temporary workers into new conditions of precarity and into intensified experiences of immobility. We also show how their immobilization as precarious workers reverberates throughout their families, and across the globe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Banta
- Department of GeographyUniversity of Toronto‐ScarboroughTorontoONCanada
| | - Geraldine Pratt
- Department of GeographyUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBC
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Chua GT, Lok Yan C, Wong WH, Sridhar S, To KK, Lau J, Gurung S, Mahtani S, Ho R, Li WS, Yam JC, Rosa Duque JS, Wong ICK, Lau YL, Kwan MYW, Ip P. COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy among ethnic minorities in Hong Kong. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2022; 18:2054261. [PMID: 35475949 PMCID: PMC9225673 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2022.2054261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Ethnic minorities account for 8% of the Hong Kong population, most are Filipino and Indonesian domestic helpers taking care of children and the elderly. To understand the COVID-19 vaccination rates and factors associated with vaccine acceptance of ethnic minorities, we performed a cross-sectional questionnaire study recruiting Hong Kong ethnic minorities aged ≥18 years between 1 July and 18 July 2021 in public areas. Demographics, knowledge about COVID-19, vaccination status, intention and reasons to receive the vaccine, and planning to be re-vaccinated were analyzed. Continuous and categorical variables were compared using unpaired t-test and Chi-square test, respectively. Potential confounders were adjusted using multiple logistic regression. 2,012 ethnic minorities participated, with a mean age of 39 years, of which 97.6% were female, 79.5% were Filipino, and 17.5% were Indonesian. 80.6% of participants were categorized as vaccine acceptance, and 69.2% were willing to be re-vaccinated. There were significantly more Filipinos than Indonesians in the vaccine acceptance group (p < .001). Subjects in the vaccine acceptance group were more likely to have higher education (p < .001), a higher COVID-19 knowledge score (p < .001), received information from the Government website (p = .003) and not from their friends or family members (p = .02), and were more confident in judging the accuracy of the information (p < .001). Logistic regression showed the mean knowledge score (β = 3.07, p < .001) and receiving information from official Government websites (adjusted OR = 1.37, p = .03) were significant factors that positively influenced vaccine acceptance. The Hong Kong Government should improve COVID-19 vaccination acceptance among ethnic minorities through public education using official channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilbert T Chua
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Cheung Lok Yan
- Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Wilfred Hs Wong
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Siddharth Sridhar
- Department of Microbiology, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Kelvin Kw To
- Department of Microbiology, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Joseph Lau
- United Christian Nethersole Community Health Service, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | | | - Shalini Mahtani
- Department of Health, Health Promotion Branch, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Raymond Ho
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Wing Sum Li
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jason Cs Yam
- Centre for Safe Medication Practice and Research, Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jaime S Rosa Duque
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ian C K Wong
- Research Department of Practice and Policy, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College, London, UK.,Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Princess Margaret Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yu Lung Lau
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Mike Yat Wah Kwan
- Center for Health Behaviours Research, Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Patrick Ip
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
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Brooks SK, Hall CE, Patel D, Greenberg N. "In the office nine to five, five days a week… those days are gone": qualitative exploration of diplomatic personnel's experiences of remote working during the COVID-19 pandemic. BMC Psychol 2022; 10:272. [PMID: 36397178 PMCID: PMC9670069 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-022-00970-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many employees had to work remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Literature suggests there are both challenges and benefits to remote working and that remote working can have detrimental effects on mental health. This study aimed to explore diplomatic personnel's perceptions and experiences of working from home during the pandemic. METHODS Twenty-five employees of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office took part in semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was carried out to extract recurring themes from the data. RESULTS Seven main themes emerged from the data: impact of the pandemic on work; relationships with colleagues; benefits of working from home; challenges of working from home; family; moving posts during the pandemic; and perceptions and predictions of post-pandemic work. Participants provided mixed views on how remote working had affected productivity and relationships with colleagues. Benefits of working from home included greater freedom and flexibility; new opportunities; and inclusivity of remote meetings. Challenges included being in different time zones to the countries they were working for; unsuitable home ergonomics; technological issues; and difficulties finding appropriate work-life balance. Those with young children reported difficulties juggling work and childcare. Adjusting to new posts at a time when staff were working remotely appeared particularly challenging. However, most did not want or expect to return to entirely office-based work. They predicted a hybrid model of working in the future, involving both office work and remote work; they stressed the importance of flexibility and suggested there would not be a one-size-fits-all approach to returning to face-to-face work. CONCLUSIONS Remote working during the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the ways in which employees work, showing them that they do not have to be in the office to successfully achieve their work goals and leaving many wanting flexibility to make their own decisions about working from home (or not). There are both benefits and challenges to remote working; managers can take steps to reduce some of the challenges by being available to support their employees, organising regular remote meetings and allowing employees autonomy in terms of when and where they work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha K. Brooks
- Department of Psychological Medicine, King’s College London, Weston Education Centre, London, SE5 9RJ UK
| | - Charlotte E. Hall
- Behavioural Science and Insights Unit, Emergency Response Department Science and Technology, UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, Salisbury, SP4 0JG UK
| | - Dipti Patel
- Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, King Charles Street, London, SW1A 2AH UK
| | - Neil Greenberg
- Department of Psychological Medicine, King’s College London, Weston Education Centre, London, SE5 9RJ UK
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7
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Nassif G. “If we don't do it, who will?” Strategies of social reproduction at the margins. GENDER WORK AND ORGANIZATION 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/gwao.12897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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8
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Cheng Q, Vicera C. Online Peer-Support Group's Role in Addressing Filipino Domestic Workers' Social Support Needs: Content and Social Media Metrics Analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:9665. [PMID: 35955023 PMCID: PMC9368209 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19159665] [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: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The study aimed to examine what types of social support a prominent online peer support group has provided to Filipino domestic workers (FDWs) in Hong Kong (HK), how impactful each type of support was, and to what extent the support could address group members' expressed needs. Posts published from 1 September 2021 to 31 December 2021 in one of the largest online peer-support groups for FDWs in HK and their meta-data were extracted from Facebook. Thematic content analysis was performed to extract relevant information from the posts. Descriptive statistical analysis on the social media metrics was conducted to measure post impacts. A total of 599 posts published over the study period can be categorized to provide informational (76.67%), emotional (33.56%), and instrumental support (13.52%). Posts including emotional support were often more impactful. A total of 58 posts responded to requests explicitly expressed by individual FDWs, of which 13 required external resources. The online peer-support group acts as a new channel to raise FDWs' awareness of important issues related to their well-being, to encourage and facilitate them to seek formal and informal help, and to keep them emotionally attended to. Formal support services should recognize and collaborate with them and support their long-term sustainability.
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Ho KHM, Yang C, Leung AKY, Bressington D, Chien WT, Cheng Q, Cheung DSK. Peer Support and Mental Health of Migrant Domestic Workers: A Scoping Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:7617. [PMID: 35805278 PMCID: PMC9265321 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19137617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The effectiveness of peer support in improving mental health and well-being has been well documented for vulnerable populations. However, how peer support is delivered to migrant domestic workers (MDWs) to support their mental health is still unknown. This scoping review aimed to synthesize evidence on existing peer support services for improving mental health among MDWs. We systematically searched eight electronic databases, as well as grey literature. Two reviewers independently performed title/abstract and full-text screening, and data extraction. Twelve articles were finally included. Two types of peer support were identified from the included studies, i.e., mutual aid and para-professional trained peer support. MDWs mainly seek support from peers through mutual aid for emotional comfort. The study's findings suggest that the para-professional peer support training program was highly feasible and culturally appropriate for MDWs. However, several barriers were identified to affect the successful implementation of peer support, such as concerns about emotion contagion among peers, worries about disclosure of personal information, and lack of support from health professionals. Culture-specific peer support programs should be developed in the future to overcome these barriers to promote more effective mental health practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ken Hok Man Ho
- The Nethersole School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong SAR, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China; (C.Y.); (W.T.C.)
| | - Chen Yang
- The Nethersole School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong SAR, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China; (C.Y.); (W.T.C.)
| | - Alex Kwun Yat Leung
- Department of Social Work, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China; (A.K.Y.L.); (Q.C.)
| | - Daniel Bressington
- College of Nursing and Midwifery, Charles Darwin University, Darwin 0815, Australia;
| | - Wai Tong Chien
- The Nethersole School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong SAR, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China; (C.Y.); (W.T.C.)
| | - Qijin Cheng
- Department of Social Work, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China; (A.K.Y.L.); (Q.C.)
| | - Daphne Sze Ki Cheung
- School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China;
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Sumerlin TS, Kim JH, Wang Z, Hui AYK, Chung RY. Determinants of COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake among Female Foreign Domestic Workers in Hong Kong: A Cross-Sectional Quantitative Survey. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19105945. [PMID: 35627480 PMCID: PMC9141999 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19105945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Globally, minority groups and non-citizens may not be sufficiently included in the COVID-19 vaccine coverage. This study seeks to understand determinants of vaccine uptake among female foreign domestic workers (FDWs) in Hong Kong. We conducted a cross-sectional study of female FDWs (n = 581) from June to August 2021. Respondents completed an online survey obtaining sociodemographic, employment, and health status information. Based upon the socio-ecological model, we obtained individual, interpersonal, and socio-structural factors that may be associated with COVID-19 vaccine uptake. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to examine factors associated with having received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. At the individual level, agreeing that taking COVID-19 vaccines can contribute to COVID-19 control in Hong Kong (OR 6.11, 95% CI 2.27–16.43) was associated with increased vaccine uptake, while being worried of severe side-effects from vaccination (OR 0.29, 95% CI 0.16–0.55) was associated with decreased uptake. At the interpersonal level, those being encouraged by their employer (OR 2.05, 95% CI 1.06–3.95) and family members (OR 2.27, 95% CI 1.17–4.38) were more likely to be vaccinated, while at the socio-structural level, believing vaccination would violate religious beliefs (OR 0.19, 95% CI 0.06–0.65) was associated with decreased uptake. The government can formulate a multi-level approach according to our findings to target the remaining unvaccinated FDW population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy S. Sumerlin
- School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China; (T.S.S.); (J.H.K.); (Z.W.); (A.Y.-K.H.)
| | - Jean H. Kim
- School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China; (T.S.S.); (J.H.K.); (Z.W.); (A.Y.-K.H.)
| | - Zixin Wang
- School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China; (T.S.S.); (J.H.K.); (Z.W.); (A.Y.-K.H.)
| | - Alvin Yik-Kiu Hui
- School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China; (T.S.S.); (J.H.K.); (Z.W.); (A.Y.-K.H.)
| | - Roger Y. Chung
- School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China; (T.S.S.); (J.H.K.); (Z.W.); (A.Y.-K.H.)
- Institute of Health Equity, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
- Centre for Bioethics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
- Correspondence:
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11
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Oliva-Arocas A, Benavente P, Ronda E, Diaz E. Health of International Migrant Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review. Front Public Health 2022; 10:816597. [PMID: 35252094 PMCID: PMC8888537 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.816597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and control measures adopted have had a disproportionate impact on workers, with migrants being a group specifically affected but poorly studied. This scoping review aims to describe the evidence published on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the physical and mental health of migrant workers. METHODS Papers written in English covering physical and mental health among international migrant workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, retrieved from six electronic databases searched on July 31, 2021, were included. A total of 1,096 references were extracted, of which 26 studies were finally included. RESULTS Most of the migrant populations studied were born in Asia (16 of 26) and Latin America (8 of 26) and were essential workers (15 of 26). Few studies described the length of stay in the host country (9 of 26), the legal status of the migrant population (6 of 26), or established comparison groups (7 of 26). Ten studies described COVID-19 outbreaks with high infection rates. Fourteen studies evaluated mental health (anxiety, depression, worries, fears, stress, and post-traumatic stress disorder). Three of the 26 studies presented collateral positive effects of the COVID-19 pandemic because of improved hygiene. CONCLUSION There is a limited number of original publications related to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the physical and mental health of migrant workers around the world. These publications mainly focus on migrants born in Asia and Latin America. The physical, long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has, so far, not been evaluated. The positive collateral effects of improving healthcare conditions for migrant workers should also be further investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Oliva-Arocas
- Department of Community Nursing, Preventive Medicine and Public Health and History of Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - 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, 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
- Unit for Migration and Health, Norwegian Public Health Institute, Oslo, Norway
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12
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Lai D, Cai Y, Chan TH, Gan D, Hurson AN, Zhang YD. How to organise travel restrictions in the new future: lessons from the COVID-19 response in Hong Kong and Singapore. BMJ Glob Health 2022; 7:e006975. [PMID: 35228258 PMCID: PMC8886091 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2021-006975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
It has been nearly 2 years since the first case of COVID-19 was reported. Governments worldwide have introduced numerous non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) to combat this disease. Many of these NPIs were designed in response to initial outbreaks but are unsustainable in the long term. Governments are exploring how to adjust their current NPIs to resume normal activities while effectively protecting their population. As one of the most controversial NPIs, the implementation of travel restrictions varies across regions. Some governments have abandoned their previous travel restrictions because of the induced costs to society and on the economy. Other areas, including Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region of China) and Singapore, continue employing these NPIs as a long-term disease prevention tactic. However, the multidimensional impacts of travel restrictions require careful consideration of how to apply restrictions more appropriately. We have proposed an adapted framework to examine Hong Kong and Singapore's travel restrictions. We aimed to study these two regions' experiences in balancing disease control efforts with easing the burden on lives and livelihoods. Based on the experiences of Hong Kong and Singapore, we have outlined six policy recommendations to serve as the cornerstone for future research and policy practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daoyuan Lai
- Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuxi Cai
- Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China
| | - Tsai Hor Chan
- Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China
| | - Dailin Gan
- Department of Applied and Computational Mathematics and Statistics, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Amber N Hurson
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Yan Dora Zhang
- Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China
- Centre for PanorOmic Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China
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Smith J. From "nobody's clapping for us" to "bad moms": COVID-19 and the circle of childcare in Canada. GENDER WORK AND ORGANIZATION 2022; 29:353-367. [PMID: 34898866 PMCID: PMC8652727 DOI: 10.1111/gwao.12758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of childcare to national economies in general and women's economic participation in particular, spurring renewed interest in childcare policy in many countries that have implemented lockdowns. This paper adopts a circle of care framework to analyzes how COVID-19 has affected paid childcare, unpaid childcare and other paid work, and the relationship between these sectors. Analysis is grounded in the lived experiences of parents and childcare educators, documented through 16 semi-structured interviews during the initial lockdown (March-June 2020) in British Columbia, Canada. Experiences from educators suggest their safety was not prioritized, and that their contributions were undervalued and went unrecognized. Mothers, who provided the majority of unpaid care, not only lost income due to care demands, but struggled to access necessities, with some reporting increased personal insecurity. Those attempting to work from home also experienced feelings of guilt and distress as they tried to manage the triple burden. Similarities of experiences across the circle of care suggest the COVID-19 childcare policy response in BC Canada downloaded care responsibilities on to women without corresponding recognition or support, causing women to absorb the costs of care work, with potential long-term negative effects on women's careers and well-being, as well as on the resilience of the circle of care. Pandemic recovery and preparedness policies that aim to promote gender equality must consider all sectors of the circle of care and the relationships between them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Smith
- Faculty of Health SciencesSimon Fraser UniversityBurnabyBritish ColumbiaCanada
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