Male Migrants Research Articles

Determinants of life satisfaction among migrants in South Africa: an analysis of the GCRO’s quality of life survey (2009–2021)

BackgroundMigrant populations in any country are a vulnerable group, and psycho-demographic research measuring life satisfaction has been used to assess migrants’ well-being in developed and developing countries. However, South Africa, with its high influx of migrant populations, has investigated these topical concerns from the perspective of xenophobia, with mixed findings. However, no, or very few studies have examined life satisfaction among migrants in South Africa. This study, therefore, extends previous literature by examining the determinants of life satisfaction among South Africa’s internal and international migrant populations.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study from the 2009 to 2021 Gauteng City-Region Observatory (GCRO) Quality of Life (QoL) surveys among migrant populations in two ways: a full sample and a gender-stratified sample. A sample of male and female migrants ranging from 15 to 49 years of age were recruited into this study. Cantril’s Self-Anchoring Ladder Life Satisfaction scale captured their life satisfaction alongside relevant social demographic factors. Descriptive statistics were applied for the data analysis of the demographic factors. Bivariate and multivariate logistics regression analyses were conducted to assess the associations and the predictive factors of life satisfaction among migrants, both internal and international.ResultsThe key findings were the gender distribution of life satisfaction, showing that more international (male – 66.0% and female – 67.1%) migrants reported having a thriving life satisfaction than internal migrants (male – 61.7% and female – 61.5%). Findings from the Pearson correlation coefficient revealed a significant association between the individual, household, and community factors by migrant status (ρ < 0.05). However, the probit coefficients revealed that individual factors (age 48+: AOR = 2.18, 95% CI: 1.13, 3.23, and secondary/higher education: AOR = 1.1., 95% CI: 0.01, 1.19) and household factors (two persons living in households (H/H): AOR = 1.05, 95% CI: 0.50, 1.10), and community factors (international migrant status: AOR = 2.12, 95% CI: 0.08, 2.16) significantly increase the prediction of higher odds of life satisfaction by gender among migrants. The ordered logit coefficients also showed that individual factors (middle and high income and having health insurance) and household factors (receiving SASSA social grant) predicted the highest life satisfaction among migrants (internal and international).ConclusionWe found substantial evidence that individual-, household-, and community-level factors were associated with life satisfaction among migrants. In particular, the pattern of life satisfaction varied slightly between male and female migrants, as well as with migrant status in South Africa. These findings collectively may provide helpful information for policymakers and practitioners to optimise interventions for migrant populations to improve their life satisfaction. Evidence from this study also calls on the government of South Africa to begin tracking the life satisfaction of its nationals, whether migrants or not.

Endurance Lost and Found: Unwanted Return and the Suspension of Time

ABSTRACT Involuntary returns of migrants from North Africa and Europe to West Africa have recently multiplied as part of an increased use of both deportations and Voluntary Returns by European states. This article explores male migrants’ temporalities after homecoming to Senegal in a context where, according to European states and the IOM, their time is ‘up’ and they should ‘reintegrate’. After an unwanted return to Senegal, migrants are sometimes exhausted and can no longer imagine leaving again. However, despite the suffering experienced and the time lost, many display endurance and hope for a new departure. In this context, they are not waiting on states or families to move forward. I argue that, in persevering, returnees resist the temporality imposed on them by European states in order to solve another temporal struggle – that of entering male adulthood. Ultimately, these observations question the ‘effectiveness’ of Voluntary Return programs as part of externalisation policies.

Becoming a nun in the absence of her husband: male migration and female religiosity in nineteenth-century China

AbstractThis article investigates the impact of male migration on left-behind women in nineteenth-century Chongqing, focusing on the intersection among gender, migration, and religion. It analyze the unintended consequences of failed male migration, in which the husband's failure to send regular remittances was prone to cause tremendous anxiety and financial difficulties for his wife. In the absence of strong male-centered kinship organizations, Chongqingese women exploited unorthodox options to support themselves. Buddhist monasticism proved appealing because it provided both a stable source of livelihood and an inclusive all-female space. However, female renunciation was controversial because it challenged state-sponsored patriarchal values. Returned husbands enlisted the state's help in revoking their wives' religious decisions. Paradoxically, for vulnerable women like concubines, nunhood proved an attractive option because it helped them obtain migration-triggered divorces on favorable terms. They strategically synergized the bodily practice of monastic celibacy with the discourse of female chastity to assure their estranged spouses of lifelong commitments to non-remarriage. By doing so, these women succeeded in receiving generous financial compensation. This study highlights how the combination of religion and translocality enabled women to renegotiate their positionality within the patriarchy.

Migration and risk of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder: A Swedish national study.

Prior studies report increased risk of schizophrenia (SCZ) in migrants relative to the native-born population; however, few have investigated bipolar disorder (BD) and migrant characteristics which may influence risk. We aimed to examine the risk of SCZ and BD in migrants and their children relative to those of Swedish ancestry, and whether risk varied by age at migration, region of origin, sex, and parental migrant status. We conducted a nested case-control study using 5539 SCZ cases and 20,577 BD cases diagnosed 1988-2013, individually matched to five population-based controls by birth year and sex. Conditional logistic regression was used to evaluate the risk of SCZ and BD by migrant status, region of origin and age at migration, with models stratified by sex. First-generation migrants had increased risk of SCZ and decreased risk of BD. There was a distinct pattern of risk for SCZ by age at migration. Childhood migrants from all regions had increased risk of SCZ, particularly those from Africa. In contrast, risk for BD declined with age at migration, with increased risk only in Nordic child migrants. SCZ and BD diagnoses were decreased in adult migrants, elevated in second-generation migrants (with risk differing by number of migrant parents and greater for those with migrant fathers) and higher in male migrants (vs. female). Age at migration, sex, and region of origin affect risk of SCZ and BD. Further research is required to determine how migration-related factors influence disease etiology and the receipt of these diagnoses.

Original

Being the second largest populous country in the world, India reports a volume of internalmigration that is as large as the population of European Union. This poses a serious challengebefore the policy makers in fight against contagious virus like Covid-19. The nation-widelockdown led to panic, and thousands of migrant workers and their dependents began a march onfoot towards their native place located hundreds of kilometres away. And what followed is hugehuman suffering including loss of life. Results suggest that male migrants accounted for around92 percent (3.3 million) of the total work/employment-related migration from the eastern re-gion. Work or employment-related reasons account for about 55 percent of males out-migrat-ing from the region to other parts of the country. In terms of absolute size, Bihar is the largestsource of migrant workers, followed by West Bengal and Odisha. Bihar alone contributes asmuch as 65 percent of all male out-migrants from the region for work or employment. Takingout-migration from eastern India as a case, an attempt is made here to looks into the vulnerabil-ity of migrant workers, and to critically evaluate the government approach to address the crisis.

Cigarette smoking as a risk factor for ischaemic stroke in young South Asian male migrants to Qatar: The BRAINS study

Background: The incidence of stroke in the Middle East is high, given its relatively young population. Smoking is a well-recognized risk factor for ischaemic stroke, and its high regional prevalence may partly account for this increased stroke risk. This research aims to determine whether young male South Asian migrants in Qatar were adversely affected by stroke depending on their smoking status. Methods: Data from the ongoing international prospective BRAINS study was analysed. Male South Asian migrants to Qatar with a history of ischaemic stroke were recruited. Multivariate regression analysis was used to estimate the effects of comorbidities, such as BMI, hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, alcohol consumption, and ischemic heart disease, on the association of age of stroke onset and smoking status. Results: We identified 778 (mean age 49.5±10.2) migrant male workers of South Asian descent with ischaemic stroke in Qatar, of which 41.3% of the sample were current smokers. Compared to non-smokers, current smokers suffered a stroke 2.03 years earlier (95%CI: 0.60–3.46, P=0.005). Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that only current smoking status was associated with an earlier age of stroke onset (β=2.03, SE=0.74, P=0.006). Conclusion: Smoking is associated with at least a two-year earlier onset of ischaemic stroke in male South Asian migrants to the Middle East. Our study has important implications for the public health management of migrants in host countries.

Exploring the power of networks and knowledge: how social capital and education drive the success of Chinese migrant workers in the labor market

ABSTRACT This study explores the relationships between social capital, education, income, and job stability in Chinese migrant workers, an under-researched area. Our findings reveal strong positive links between social capital, formal education duration, income, and job stability for migrant workers. Importantly, we distinguish between male and female migrants, unveiling gender-specific differences in the impact of social capital and education on income and job stability. Male migrant workers benefit from both social capital and formal education, while female migrant workers primarily gain from formal education. Regarding job stability, only the formal education duration of female migrant workers demonstrates a noteworthy correlation. Additionally, our analysis examines generational disparities, showing that formal education positively affects all migrant workers, with more pronounced advantages among younger individuals. Furthermore, our study emphasizes the role of social capital in increasing income for migrant workers in the manufacturing and construction sectors, while also enhancing job stability among those in the construction and service sectors. Formal education emerges as a positive factor for both income and job stability across manufacturing, construction, and service domains among migrant workers.

Masculine borders as alienation of racialized, undocumented south Asian migrant workers in Greece

ABSTRACT Bangladeshi, Indian, and Pakistani low-class male migrants in Greece are marked by migrant precarity due to their undocumented status and by a flattened South Asian racialised masculine identity. Collectively othered, they struggle with symbolic borders created by colonial and postcolonial encounters, national identities, religion, and masculine expectations. This article explores how ideologies of prejudice and divisiveness in Greece work in tandem with articulations of othering and national (un)belonging from the men’s home countries to define both their interpersonal relationships and labour outcomes in Greece. It proposes the concept of ‘masculine borders’ to describe processes through which culturally specific masculinities of South Asian men are (re)produced or reconfigured relationally and hierarchically to each other by the capitalist project with the aim of alienating and discipling workers. With such everyday bordering discourses, a novel articulation of Marxian alienation of workers from each other emerges. In this case, masculine norms mesh with Islamophobia and racism to thicken masculine borders between Bangladeshi, Pakistani, and Indian men, assisting in the efficient accumulation of surplus by the capitalist class.

Do female labor‐migrated households have lower productivity? Empirical evidence from rural rice farms in Bangladesh

AbstractThe labor movement from rural areas and the remittance flow from migrants is a common household livelihood strategy in rural Bangladesh. While migration can offer economic benefits through remittances, it can be a source of hardship for migrants and their families due to societal culture. This study examines the differences in farm productivity and technical efficiency between female and male labor migrants by focusing on female and male laborers who have lived away from their homes for 6 months or more within the country and its reflection on farm production. Using data on 2271 rice plots from Bangladesh Integrated Households Survey in 2018, we estimate plot‐level stochastic meta‐frontier approach for households with female‐labor migrants and male‐labor migrants separately emphasizing technological difference and heteroskedastic technical efficiency. The empirical result shows that the female‐labor migrants' farms have 10.3% lower production frontier (maximum frontier yield) and 6.1% higher technical efficiency than male migrants' farms, indicating that they have 4.2% lower productivity. Lower production frontier reflects lower management ability and less attention to farm practice. Moreover, the study reveals that female‐labor migrants' farms are closer to the meta‐frontier, suggesting smaller technology gaps. However, some farmers failed to achieve the highest possible output in relation to the meta‐frontier, indicating that farmers can boost their production by adopting and disseminating new rice production technology.

The American Woodcock Singing Ground Survey largely conforms to the phenology of male woodcock migration

AbstractAmerican woodcock (Scolopax minor; woodcock) are monitored, in part, by counts of displaying male woodcock collected via the American Woodcock Singing Ground Survey (SGS), which suggests long‐term, range‐wide declines in woodcock populations. Data from the SGS have been used extensively to develop conservation plans, direct management actions, and understand causes of decline. To avoid bias, the SGS should be timed to avoid spring migration, and the distribution of survey routes should coincide with woodcock breeding distribution. Our objectives for this research were to evaluate SGS timing with the phenology of male woodcock migration, relate the spatial coverage of the SGS to male woodcock breeding distributions, and explore other sources of variation in woodcock migration timing. We marked 133 male woodcock captured throughout eastern North America with global positioning system (GPS) transmitters during 2019–2022, and compared the timing of their spring migration with the spatiotemporal stratification of the SGS. Most woodcock (74%) completed migration prior to the onset of the SGS. In the northernmost SGS zone, a greater percentage of males (34%) continued migration during the survey window; however, the influence of this mismatch is offset because SGS routes were run more frequently during the second half of the window. Young woodcock completing their first spring migration took 8.6 days longer to do so, on average, compared to adults, and so were more likely to migrate during the SGS window. We found little evidence that timing of migration varied among years. Existing SGS routes cover the majority of male woodcock post‐migratory breeding distribution, with 90% of male woodcock establishing final breeding sites within the spatial coverage of the SGS. Our results confirm the SGS includes some migrating males, with the proportion relative to resident breeding males increasing in more northern survey strata. Our data suggests these errors are unlikely to bias trend estimates at large scales (e.g., within woodcock management regions), but there may be potential for bias at more local scales (e.g., state or provincial population indices).

Population structure and migration in Triatoma infestans (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) from the Argentine Chaco: An integration of genetic and morphometric data

Genetic and morphological structure of vector populations are useful to identify panmictic groups, reinfestation sources and minimal units for control interventions. Currently, no studies have integrated genetic and morphometric data in Triatoma infestans (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), one of the main vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi. We characterized the genetic and phenotypic structure of T. infestans at a small spatial scale (2–8 km), identified potential migrants and compared flight-related traits among genetic groups and between migrant and non-migrant insects in a well-defined area without insecticide spraying in the previous 12 years. We obtained microsatellite genotypes (N = 303), wing shape and size (N = 164) and body weight-to-length ratios (N = 188) in T. infestans from 11 houses in Pampa del Indio, Argentine Chaco. The uppermost level of genetic structuring partially agreed with the morphological groups, showing high degrees of substructuring. The genetic structure showed a clear spatial pattern around Route 3 and one genetic group overlapped with an area of persistent infestation and insecticide resistance. Females harboured more microsatellite alleles than males, which showed signs of isolation-by-distance. Wing shape discriminant analyses of genetic groups revealed low reclassification scores whereas wing size differed among genetic groups for both sexes. Potential migrants (8%) did not differ from non-migrants in sex, ecotope, wing shape and size. However, male migrants had lower W/L than non-migrants suggesting poorer nutritional state. Our findings may contribute to the understanding of population characteristics, dispersal dynamics and ongoing elimination efforts of T. infestans.

The Fine Art of Camouflage: Migrant-Drug Distributors Negotiating Police Interactions in Switzerland

Bogged down in exploitative jobs or unemployment, some migrants mitigate their precarious condition and forced idleness through involvement in petty crime, including low-level drug distribution. This article explores the daily lives of migrants who navigate asymmetrical interactions and relationships with police in ways that avoid detection of their illicit activities. Drawing from extensive ethnographic fieldwork and 18 biographical interviews with sub-Saharan male migrants active in low-level drug retail, I scrutinize how migrants negotiate the rules that are supposed to govern them. I am particularly interested in the ways in which migrants negotiate their legal status with the police, whose view of them is often heavily influenced by race. I demonstrate that relationships between police officers and migrants can be influenced by migrants’ deliberate mimicry of local norms, calculated conformity with informal policing practices, and influence over police officers’ moral judgment of whether they are deserving of police’s discretionary power to look the other way.

MRCK activates mouse oocyte myosin II for spindle rotation and male pronucleus centration.

Asymmetric meiotic divisions in oocytes rely on spindle positioning in close vicinity to the cortex. In metaphase II mouse oocytes, eccentric spindle positioning triggers cortical polarization, including the build-up of an actin cap surrounded by a ring of activated myosin II. While the role of the actin cap in promoting polar body formation is established, ring myosin II activation mechanisms and functions have remained elusive. Here, we show that ring myosin II activation requires myotonic dystrophy kinase-related Cdc42-binding kinase (MRCK), downstream of polarized Cdc42. MRCK inhibition resulted in spindle rotation defects during anaphase II, precluding polar body extrusion. Remarkably, disengagement of segregated chromatids from the anaphase spindle could rescue rotation. We further show that the MRCK/myosin II pathway is activated in the fertilization cone and is required for male pronucleus migration toward the center of the zygote. These findings provide novel insights into the mechanism of myosin II activation in oocytes and its role in orchestrating asymmetric division and pronucleus centration.

The adaptive features of cardiohemodynamic and gas exchange readjustment under test load in young northern natives of different generations

The research aimed to study the restructuring of hemodynamics, gas exchange, and heart rate variability parameters in response to the stress test with breathing in confined space in different generations of young Caucasoid natives permanently residing in Russia’s Magadan region. Material and methods. Two hundred 18–21 year old male migrants and those born to them in 1–3 generations, all Caucasians by origin, participated in the Magadan city survey. During the resting and confined space rebreathing sessions we registered subjective heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen and carbon dioxide level. The heart rate variability was recorded by the Varicard complex coupled with the Iskim-6 software. The exhaled gas level was determined by the Karbonik analyzer. The blood oxygen saturation was measured by a pulse oximeter. An electronic tonometer was used for the blood pressure control. Results and discussion. Both resting and rebreathing tests revealed lower HRV rates in the group of migrants (zero generation): not only did they exhibit a decrease in the activity of the autonomic regulation contour – they also reported an imbalance in the sympathetic and parasympathetic regulation of cardiac hemodynamics. However, the 3rd generation subjects showed an optimal and stable balance between the links of autonomic regulation, both at rest and during functional exercise with rebreathing, which is reflected in the parameters of arterial pressure and gas exchange. Interestingly, the most informative indicators of adaptation are not the absolute values of the studied indicators but the difference between their background and testing values, which to a greater extent hold information on the body functional reserves of those born in the North in different generations constantly living in the extreme conditions of the North. It was found that the increase in parasympathetic activity and its influence on the cardiac rhythm both at rest and in response to a breathing test was most pronounced in the group of natives of the 3rd generation, which reflects a deeper degree of their adaptation to the northern conditions. Apparently, this is a manifestation of the general strategy of functional restructuring of the body’s regulatory systems aimed at the formation of optimal compensatory-adaptive restructuring of gas homeostasis during an increased period of residence in the North.

Migration Status and Utilization of Healthcare Services Among Venezuelan Immigrants in Peru.

In general, migrants in illegal situations encounter a greater barrier to accessing medical care because of their migration status due to not having the required documentation to be able to obtain insurance in the receiving country. To evaluate the association between migration status and the use of health services in the Venezuelan population residing in Peru. Data from the second Survey Directed to the Venezuelan Population Residing in Peru (ENPOVE) of 2022 were analyzed. The dependent variable was use of health services in the last month. The exposure variable was migration status (legal/illegal). Generalized linear models of the Poisson family with link log function were used to obtain crude and adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR), for potential confounding variables. Additionally, we evaluated the association of interest, stratified by gender. Data from 1569 migrants were analyzed. Participants with illegal migration status represented 32.4% (men: 24.3%; women: 36.7%); likewise, 58.1% did not use health services. Illegal migration status was associated with lower health care use (aPR: 0.75; 95%CI: 0.61-0.92). Likewise, after stratifying by sex, the association was maintained only in male migrants (aPR: 0.53; 95%CI: 0.39-0.82) but not in women (aPR: 0.84; 95%CI: 0.67-1.05). 58.1% of Venezuelan migrants in Peru did not seek medical attention despite having health problems. Having an illegal immigration status leads to a lower probability of using these services, especially in men.

Home range sizes of red deer in relation to habitat composition: a review and implications for management in Sweden

Knowledge about deer spatial use is essential for damage mitigation, conservation, and harvest management. We assess annual and seasonal home range sizes in relation to habitat composition for red deer (Cervus elaphus) in Sweden, using GPS-data from two regions with different management systems. We compare our findings with reviewed data on red deer home range sizes in Europe. Annual and seasonal home ranges during calving, hunt, and winter-spring, decreased with increasing proportion forest. Female annual home ranges in a mixed agricultural-forest landscape were three times larger than in a forest-dominated landscape. Core areas (50% Kernels) were approximately 1/5 of the full annual and seasonal home ranges (95% Kernels) regardless of habitat composition. Home range size in the forest-dominated landscape showed little inter-seasonal variation. In the agricultural-forest landscape, home ranges were larger during calving, hunt, and winter-spring compared to summer and rut. In the forest-dominated landscape, management areas are large enough to cover female spatial use. In the agricultural-forest landscape, female spatial use covers several license units. Here, the coordinated license system is needed to reach trade-offs between goals of conservation, game management, and damage mitigation. Males had in general larger home ranges than females, and the majority of the males also made a seasonal migration to and from the rutting areas. The license system area in the agricultural-forest landscape is large enough to manage migrating males. In the forest landscape, a coordination of several management areas is needed to encompass male migrations. We conclude that management needs to adapt to deer spatial use in different types of landscapes to reach set goals.

Adapting to change: Exploring reverse migration as a coping strategy among internal migrants in Bangladesh

The COVID-19 pandemic has slowed down economic growth and disrupted labor markets throughout the world, including Bangladesh. A significant proportion of people lost income sources in the formal and informal sectors, triggering them to return to villages, and the transition introduces us to the new phenomenon known as “reverse migration”. This study explores and synthesizes the COVID-19 induced changing patterns of migration and returnees' coping strategies based on their level of preparedness as well as resource mobilization. A mixed-method research approach was applied to conduct the research. The study area was Rangpur (Pirganj, Taraganj, and Kaunia). For collecting primary data, semi-structured survey questionnaires were used and conducted 84 field survey data, 12 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), 6 In-Depth Interviews (IDIs), 2 Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), and participant observations. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis with the assistance of NVivo software were used to present the findings of this study. The findings of the study revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic fueled informal job holders’ returning to their homeland due to a low level of preparedness and mobilized resources. The study found that most respondents were in severe level unemployment. As a result, a lack of physical assets, they could not start new income-generating ventures and encountered food insecurity due to unexpected price hikes. The alarming result indicates that internal reverse migration is gendered, and the adverse impact is more prevalent among female migrants rather than male migrants. Along with the governmental organizations, the highlights of this study would be essential for non-governmental organizations and development practitioners.

Chasing the dream: masculinity and male honour of Italian-Bangladeshi men relocating to London

ABSTRACT This paper focuses on the gender identity transformations of Italian-Bangladeshi men who, after first migrating from Bangladesh to Italy, then undertook a further onward migration, relocating, along with their families, to London. The paper shows the ambivalences and contradictions, in terms of male honour, involved in the new migration towards the UK. Specifically, it shows how the crossing of multiple borders, as well as their arrival and stabilisation in political-territorial contexts that were socio-historically constructed by colonialism as prestigious and wealthy areas, may increase the symbolic capital and male honour of male Bangladeshi migrants. However, if this experience increases their symbolic, gendered and social credentials, it also implies trajectories of professional, biographical, and social downgrading that compromise their image and position as ‘successful’ men.

Early effects of the COVID-19 lockdown on children in north-western Bangladesh

ABSTRACT Using data collected through a structured telephone-based survey in north-western Bangladesh during the height of the pandemic, we present evidence on the effects of household specific shocks on rural children induced by the COVID-19 lockdowns. We focus on three child-related outcomes: time use of children during school closures, plans regarding children’s future schooling, and the incidence of child marriages. We find that respiratory illness and job loss experienced in the household lowered expectations of a child’s future school continuation and increased the probability of marriage-related discussions for girls. The return of a male migrant led to a reduction of children’s time spent doing paid work, while the return of a female migrant led to a reduction in children’s time spent caring for others and doing household chores. Our findings offer a cautionary tale regarding the potential long-term effects of the pandemic and school closures on girls in developing countries.

Occupational Characteristics and Health Status of Vietnamese Male Migrant Workers in the Republic of Korea

BackgroundThe objective of this study is to identify the working conditions and health status of Vietnamese male migrant workers in Republic of Korea, in comparison to the Korean general population. MethodsWe conducted our survey through the Migrant People Center, and we received completed questionnaires from 87 male Vietnamese migrant workers. The questionnaire employed was identical to those used in the Korean Working Conditions Survey and the 2020 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The collected data from the Vietnamese migrant workers was then compared with the Korean reference population using indirect age-standardization. ResultsVietnamese male workers demonstrated a higher prevalence of health problems including hearing problems (age-standardized prevalence ratio (aSPR) 13.22, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 8.07–20.4), skin problems (aSPR 13.49, 95% CI: 8.07–20.4), and low back pain (aSPR 8.40, 95% CI: 6.50–10.69). Elevated exposure to workplace hazards such as chemicals (aSPR 2.36, 95% CI: 1.51–3.51), organic solvents (aSPR 2.22, 95% CI: 1.44–3.28), handling of heavy objects (aSPR 1.67, 95% CI: 1.24–2.21), and high temperatures (aSPR 1.96, 95% CI: 1.46–2.57) was observed among them. Additionally, they faced a higher risk of no personal protective equipment (aSPR 2.53, 95% CI: 1.26–4.52) and a greater prevalence of unmet medical needs (aSPR 7.14, 95% CI: 4.74–10.32). ConclusionOur findings highlight the elevated workplace hazards, health problems, and unmet medical needs among Vietnamese male workers compared to the Korean reference population. These findings underscores the urgency for enhanced scrutiny over working conditions and protective equipment provision, coupled with efforts to improve healthcare accessibility and worker education.