Quality of life among migrant construction workers in Bangalore city: A cross-sectional study

Dental caries, oral hygiene status and deleterious habits among migrant construction workers of Belagavi, India

Background

Occupation significantly influences oral health, with factors like the work environment, stress levels, access to dental care, and job-related habits playing crucial roles. The oral health of construction workers, especially migrant workers, is a noteworthy concern. Understanding the oral health of this population is crucial for enhancing their quality of life through various means. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of dental caries, oral hygiene status, and deleterious habits in this occupational group of Belagavi district, Karnataka.

Materials and methods

Study design was cross-sectional in nature. Before commencement of the study a pilot study was conducted. Multi-stage random sampling technique was employed, and 610 participants were recruited for the study. Trained and calibrated examiners recorded WHO dentition status and treatment needs (2013) and Oral Hygiene Index Simplified (OHI-S). Collected data was analyzed using descriptive analysis, chi-square, one-way ANOVA, and multiple linear regression analysis.

Results

The prevalence of dental caries among construction workers was significantly high (81%), and poor oral hygiene was observed among 36.9% of them. The prevalence of smoking, the tobacco chewing habit, and alcohol consumption among the construction workers was found to be 21.6%, 59.9%, and 37.3%, respectively. The dependence of OHI-S and DMFT on predictors (age, gender and deleterious habits) was found to be 21.5% and 39.6%, respectively.

Conclusions

Migrant construction workers in Belagavi had a high caries prevalence, poor oral hygiene status, and a high prevalence of deleterious habits such as tobacco use. These results emphasize the necessity of awareness and dental health education programs to improve the oral health of construction workers.

Beyond Borders: Exploring the Quality of Life, Health-Seeking Behavior, and Perceived Barriers in Health Services Utilization Among Sudanese Immigrants in Egypt

BACKGROUND

The detention of immigrants has adverse effects on both their health and their overall quality of life. In migration conditions, there is a notable impact on health-seeking behavior.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to explore the quality of life, health-seeking behavior, and perceived barriers to health services utilization among Sudanese immigrants in Egypt.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study employed a cross-sectional design to fulfill its objectives. A convenience sample comprising 385 Sudanese immigrants post-war was utilized. The researcher employed a structured questionnaire consisting of four parts: socio-demographic data, a quality of life questionnaire, an assessment of health-seeking behavior, and an exploration of the barriers faced by Sudanese immigrant participants in accessing health services.

RESULTS

The study on Sudanese immigrants post-war revealed diverse perceptions of overall quality of life, with 41.6% reporting satisfaction, 32.4% an average state, and 26.0% unsatisfactory conditions. Factors such as gender, educational level, financial situation, and the primary reason for relocating to Egypt significantly influenced these outcomes (p<0.05). Encouragingly, 57.1% of the immigrants exhibited positive health-seeking behavior. Noteworthy barriers to healthcare access included limited awareness of available services (60.5%), competing priorities like work (53.2%), insufficient financial resources (49.6%), and extended waiting times in healthcare facilities (45.5%). These findings underscore the complex interplay of factors affecting the well-being and health-seeking patterns of Sudanese immigrants in their new environment.

CONCLUSION

The research sheds light on key aspects of the well-being of Sudanese immigrants in Egypt, offering insights into their quality of life, health-seeking behavior, and perceived barriers to healthcare. The findings reveal a diverse spectrum of overall quality of life, with over a third expressing satisfaction, while a significant portion reported average or unsatisfactory levels. The study underscores the intricate influence of gender, educational level, financial situation, and the primary reason for immigration on the quality of life. Positive health-seeking behavior was observed in more than half of the participants, yet the identification of barriers to healthcare access signals challenges that warrant attention for enhancing overall health outcomes among this immigrant population. Implementing community-based health education programs plays a pivotal role in empowering immigrant Sudanese individuals in Egypt to make informed health choices and adopt healthy lifestyles.

Psychological distress and quality of community life among migratory construction workers in India

Objectives

The objectives of this study are to elicit sociodemographic details, assess the level of psychological distress, and measure the quality of community life (QoCL) of migratory construction workers.

Materials and Methods

A cross-sectional research design and survey method of sampling was followed. The semi-structured interview schedule, self-reporting questionnaire, and QoCL scale were used as measures for the study.

Results

Out of 75 respondents, 37 (49.3%) did not have formal education, 38 (50.7%) have migrated for less than a month duration, 33 (44.0%) respondents migrated with their families. The mean age of respondents was 32.03 ± 9.82 years. About 48 (64.0%) were identified as potential respondents for psychosocial care and female respondents (M = 12.90 ± 4.03, t = -3.03, P < 0.003) have higher distress than males (M = 9.50 ± 4.56, t = -3.03, P < 0.003) ones. Overall, QoCL indicated a below moderate (59.08 ± 8.31) level.

Conclusion

The distress was high and QoCL indicated a below moderate level. Intersectoral and community mental health services were required to enhance QoCL and reduce distress among migratory construction workers.

Acculturation, Adaptation, and Health among Croatian Migrants in Austria and Ireland: A Cross-Sectional Study

Since Croatia joined the European Union, majority of the studies on Croatian emigrants have predominantly addressed the reasons for migration and their future predictions. The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the sense of coherence, health behavior, acculturation, adaptation, perceived health, and quality of life (QoL) in first-generation Croatian migrants living in Austria and Ireland. Our study is the first study that addresses the perceived health and QoL of Croatian migrants since the last emigration wave in 2013. An online survey was conducted in Austria (n = 112) and Ireland (n = 116) using standardized questionnaires. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted for emigrated Croats to identify the predictors of perceived health and QoL. The analyses revealed that the sense of coherence and psychological adaptation were the strongest predictors of perceived health and QoL in Austria and Ireland. Furthermore, in the environmental domain of QoL, a higher education, higher net income, life in Austria rather than Ireland, better health behavior, higher sense of coherence, and better psychological and sociocultural adaptation explained 55.9% of the variance. Health policies and programs should use the salutogenic model to improve the health-related quality of life and psychological adaptation of Croatian migrants.

Ethnic Identity and Collective Self-Esteem Mediate the Effect of Anxiety and Depression on Quality of Life in a Migrant Population

Migration processes can often trigger negative interactions with the context, generating problems in both the physical and mental health of migrants, which have an impact on both their well-being and their quality of life. In this framework, the research aimed to assess the mediating effect of ethnic identity and collective self-esteem on the inverse relationship between mental health problems and quality of life. Data were collected from 908 first-generation Colombian migrants living in Chile, of whom 50.2% were women and with an average age of 35 years. They were assessed with The World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQoL)-Bref, Smith's ethnic identity questionnaire, Basabe's collective self-esteem, and Beck's Anxiety and Depression questionnaires. The results provide evidence that both collective self-esteem and ethnic identity exert a partial mediation effect on the relationship between anxiety and depression on quality of life. The study provides evidence of the protective role that the maintenance and reinforcement of ethnic identity and collective self-esteem can have, with a view to strengthening the planning of interventions both in the field of prevention of mental health problems and in the improvement of quality of life based on evidence.

Assessment of Squalor in Migrant Colonies of Thiruvalla Province of Kerala, India using Rapid Survey Technique

Background:

Domestic squalor refers to households that are extremely cluttered, in a filthy condition, and where the accumulation of items such as personal possessions, rubbish, excrement and decomposing food creates an environment that jeopardizes the health and wellbeing of the occupant(s). In India, an estimated 258 million are migrants. They are more likely to live in squalor due to inferior socio-economic status and no permanent residence. This poses a threat to the health of the migrants and the neighbors.

Objective:

To assess the squalor and morbidity pattern among the migrants of Migrant colonies in Thiruvalla using Rapid survey technique.

Methodology:

The state of squalor in migrant colonies was assessed by Lot Quality Assurance Sampling Methodology using the Environment Cleanliness and Clutter Scale (ECCS). The sample size for each lot/colony was '14' dwellings according to LQAS table. The details were collected from 14 inhabitants of different dwellings of the same colony. The inhabitants were selected randomly and were excluded if he belonged to the same dwelling. Fifteen colonies were randomly selected to achieve the sample size of 210 (15*14). The study was done in Tiruvalla municipality.

Results and Conclusion:

Only two colonies (n = 15) were squalor free. Majority of the dwellings (n = 210) were having an ECCS score between 13 and 15. Common ailments affecting migrants include Common cold, Skin disorders, and dental caries and gastritis. Squalor was found in most of the migrant colonies as they are living in inhuman conditions.

The COVID-19 Pandemic and Human Dignity: the Case of Migrant Labourers in India

Being one of the badly affected nations by the novel coronavirus, the Indian government had rolled out a set of strategies to contain the transmission. While measures like the lockdown inflicted significant damage on many sections of society, the interstate migrant labourers' plight across India was nothing less than disastrous. While the privileged sections of the society could afford the strict restrictions laid down by the state, the migrant labourers stuck in different parts of the country found themselves to be second class citizens. This research is an ethical discourse on the human dignity of migrant labourers in a welfare state during the pandemic context. Data gathered from reports on the subject matter in media licensed by the state were analysed under the theoretical lens of violation of human dignity. The outcome of the research involves a critical appraisal of the human dignity of the marginalised in a so-called modern welfare state.

Social determinants in access to tobacco prevention and cessation support services among migrant construction workers in Urban Chennai, India

CONTEXT

In spite of the high burden of tobacco consumption among migrants, disparities in the awareness of tobacco-related harms, health-seeking behaviors, and intention to switch to lower risk alternatives remain understudied area.

AIMS

Assess the social determinants in access to tobacco prevention and cessation support services among migrant construction workers in urban Chennai, India.

SETTINGS AND DESIGNS

A community-based, cross-sectional study design.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A questionnaire adapted from GATS survey was used among migrants working across 13 construction sites of Chennai during May-September 2019. A counseling session was provided for the migrant workers who were willing to quit.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED

Data entered in MS Excel was analyzed using SPSS and multivariate analysis was performed.

RESULTS

Among 345 migrants, 338 (98%) were currently using tobacco and smokeless tobacco (57.4%) consumers. In spite of awareness (84.6%) about tobacco ill-effects on health, only 48% care providers enquired of the tobacco use in the previous one year. Pictorial health warnings were seen by 315 migrants (91.3%) in the past one month, but only 110 migrants (34.9%) considered quitting. The majority (341 migrants, 98.4%) have not heard of the lower risk alternatives such as nicotine gums and lozenges and only 89 migrants (26.33%) agreed to try lower risk alternatives for tobacco on trial basis. Migrant construction workers who were using tobacco less than 5 years (P = 0.001) were more likely to try lower risk alternatives.

CONCLUSIONS

Reappraising social determinants in access to tobacco prevention and cessation support services to migrant construction workers may be a promising strategy to reduce health harms of tobacco intake.