Abstract
Vietnam has experienced massive internal migration waves from rural to industrialized zones. However, little efforts have been made to understand differences in health conditions and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) between local and migrant industrial workers. This study aimed to examine the inequality in health status and HRQOL between these workers. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 289 Vietnamese workers at three industrial areas in Hanoi and Bac Ninh. Self-reported health status and HRQOL were measured using the EuroQOL-5 dimensions-5 levels (EQ-5D-5L) instrument. Sociodemographic, working, and environmental factors were also investigated. Overall, the mean EQ-5D index was 0.74 (SD = 0.21) and the average number of health problems in the last 12 months in our sample was 1.91 (SD = 1.63) problems. Migrant people had a lower EQ-5D index (β = −0.08, p < 0.01) and more health problems (β = 0.20, p < 0.05) compared to local workers. Those being male, working in the same posture more than 60 min, and exposed to more hazards at work were correlated with a lower EQ-5D index and higher number of health problems. The results highlighted inequalities in health status and HRQOL between migrant and local workers. Reinforcing regular health check-ups, ensuring sufficient protective equipment and working conditions may help improve the health outcomes of the workers.
Highlights
The Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 underline the need to alleviate inequality in society (Goal 10) as well as ensure the healthy lives for all individuals (Goal 3) [1]
With level of significance = 5%, power of the test = 90%, expected prevalence of health problems among native workers = 50% and among migrant workers = 70%, the sample size was 124 workers per group, 248 workers should be recruited into the study
Our results revealed some contributors to health and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) impairments, which could be useful for further interventions to improve the occupational health of both local and migrant industrial workers in Vietnam
Summary
The Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 underline the need to alleviate inequality in society (Goal 10) as well as ensure the healthy lives for all individuals (Goal 3) [1]. Previous literature indicates that migrant workers are more likely to be socially isolated due to cultural differences, have a poor living standard, live in crowded housing with a deficit of clean water and sanitation, receive poor health care access, as well as highly engage in risk behaviors such as substance misuse and unsafe sexual practices [3,4,10,11] These unfavorable conditions trigger a reduction of work productivity and economic growth, as well as a threat to public health and social stability in communities where migrant workers live [6].
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