Occupational Factors Research Articles

Global Burden of Disease from Environmental Factors.

Estimation of the disease burden attributable to environmental factors is a powerful tool for prioritizing environmental and pollution management and public health actions around the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) has been estimating the environmental disease burden since 2000, which has formed the basis for the modern estimation approach conducted in the Global Burden of Disease, Injuries, and Risk Factor (GBD) study. In 2021, environmental and occupational risk factors in the GBD were responsible for 18.9% (12.8 million) of global deaths and 14.4% of all disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), led by ambient PM2.5 air pollution (4.2% DALYs, 4.7 million deaths) and household air pollution (3.9% DALYs, 3.1 million deaths). Climate change exacerbates many environmental hazards, leading to increased disease burdens from heat, air pollution, vector-borne diseases, storms, and flooding. Other environmental risk factors not included in the GBD, such as poor indoor air quality, various chemical exposures, and environmental noise pollution, also significantly contribute to disease burden in many countries, though more efforts are needed to generate and integrate data resources for inclusion in global estimations.

Occupational and environmental factors cause the seasonal variation of peptic ulcers by Superposition Mechanism

ABSTRACT The seasonal variation of peptic ulcers, a rhythmic phenomenon with diverse patterns and controversies, has remained an unresolved mystery for more than 90 years. A recent study identified that environmental factors cause peptic ulcers by inducing psychological stress. Based on this etiology, a synthetic review found that seasonal changes profoundly affect multiple occupational and environmental factors, each of which plays a causal role in peptic ulcers if they are studied individually. An integration of the monthly incidences caused by three occupational and environmental factors simulated the fluctuation curves in three representative seasonal patterns. The similarity between the simulated and original curves suggests that multiple occupational and environmental factors cause the seasonal variation by Superposition Mechanism, and regional differences in occupational and environmental factors account for the diverse patterns and controversies. Significantly, a full understanding of the seasonal variation of peptic ulcers validated a new concept, Superposition Mechanism, which may represent an indispensable methodological complement to modern life science and medicine.

Association between psychosocial factors and low back pain among nurses working in intensive care units

Objective: Low back pain is among the most common occupational health problems in nurses. It is known that occupational exposure and psychosocial factors are important risk factors. The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence of low back pain among nurses employed in intensive care units and to examine the relationship between psychosocial factors and the occurrence of low back pain. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 127 nurses employed in intensive care units. Data were gathered on participants' socio-demographic characteristics, presence of low back pain symptoms, and psychosocial factors, and were analyzed using SPSS 15.0. Results: The one-month prevalence of low back pain among these nurses was found to be 70.9%. Low back pain was high in female participants [OR:6.56 (95% CI:1.98-21.73)] and those who worked the night shift [OR:6.62 (95% CI:1.68-26.09)] and the presence of the social support in the workplace [OR:0.97 (95% CI:0.95-0.99)] has a protective effect against low back pain. Conclusion: Among nurses working in intensive care units, females and those assigned to night shifts experienced more intense low back pain, while those with social support reported less frequent discomfort.

Advertising Breaks the Privacy of WeChat Circle of Friends Analysis

With the rapid development of Internet technology and the popularity of smart phones, social media has become an indispensable part of People's Daily life. WeChat, one of the largest social media platforms in China, has gained popularity for its moments function due to its high degree of privacy and user viscosity. However, with the rise of the social media advertising market, the frequent appearance of advertising messages in WeChat moments not only disrupts the social experience of users, but also may cause users to worry about privacy leakage. This study aims to deeply analyze how advertisement delivery breaks the privacy of WeChat circle of friends, and explore the possibility of optimizing advertisement delivery strategy, including delivery quantity, delivery characteristics, target audience positioning and so on. Through the optimization strategy, the purpose is to reduce the intrusion of user privacy, improve user experience, and achieve a win-win situation between business interests and user privacy protection. Using questionnaire survey and hot list comparison, the study analyzed the impact of advertising on users' privacy perception, attitude and behavior. Suppose the results show that AD delivery breaks the privacy of WeChat moments to some extent, and users are put off by frequent and non-personalized ads. The study also found that gender, age, occupation and other factors have an impact on the perception of privacy in WeChat circle of friends. Based on the research results, marketing strategies and content suggestions for different user groups are proposed, in order to better safeguard users' privacy rights and social experience while ensuring the effect of advertising delivery and promote the sustainable development of social media platforms and advertising industry.

ON THE INITIAL VERIFICATION OF THE CRYSTAL STRUCTURES OF THE ARGYRODITE FAMILY

The crystal structures of the phases belonging to the scientifically and technologically important family of argyrodites of the general chemical formula Am+(12–n–x)/mBn+X2–6–xY–x (where A = Li+; Cu+, Ag+, Cd2+, Hg2+…; B = Ga3+, Si4+, Ge4+, Sn4+, P5+, As5+…; X = O2–; S2–, Se2–, Te2–; Y = Cl–, Br–, I–; 0 ≤ x ≤ 1) are characterized by high mobility and disorder of the cationic sublattice (substructure) A. This feature of argyrodites makes them promising solid-state ionic conductors, but significantly complicates the X-ray analysis of argyrodite phases due to the inability to reliably predict the positions of A ions in the unit cell of the crystal structure of a particular argyrodite sample and the site occupancy factors of these positions. The analysis of the published structures of argyrodites has revealed the fact that the positions of typical B cations and their X ligands in the tetrahedral environment [BX4] are fully occupied by the corresponding ions, which makes it possible to perform an initial verification of the structural models of the argyrodite phases (already published in the scientific literature or newly obtained) within the framework of the bond valence model (BVM) – by calculating the bond valence sums for the B cations from the interatomic distances dBX in the coordination tetrahedra [BX4]. In addition to the initial verification of structural models of argyrodite phases, the use of the BVM with the numerical parameters recommended in this work allows researchers to create reliable starting partial structural models of argyrodite phases for their further refinement by X-ray diffraction analysis, as well as to stabilize the process of refining the crystal structure by imposing soft restraints on the deviation of the calculated interatomic distances dBX from the predicted distances in the [BX4] tetrahedra.

Older adults’ reasons for applying to a nursing home – a document analysis

Background Ageing in place is the social norm in Sweden, yet older adults apply for a nursing home on a daily basis which suggests that ageing in place needs further study as it is not suitable for everyone. Aim: to study descriptions of older adults’ reasons for applying to a nursing home in documents of granted nursing home decisions. Materials and methods One hundred and sixty decisions were analyzed through document analysis with a deductive content analysis using the Canadian Model of Occupational Performance-Engagement (CMOP-E) as a framework. Results Reasons for applying were represented in the three factors of the CMOP-E. In personal factors, reason for applying was e.g. connected to severe anxiety. In environmental factors, family culture had an influence in the application. In occupational factors, the ability to perform self-care and mobility greatly affected decisions to apply to nursing homes. Conclusion Descriptions of the older adults’ activities in daily life were limited. If OTs were further involved in nursing home applications, adults ageing in place could be better supported and a move to a nursing home may be prevented. Significance: this study contributes to the understanding of why older adults chose to apply to a nursing home.

Environmental Factors, Occupational Hazards, and Seasonal Changes: Unveiling the Triggers of Atrial Fibrillation.

Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia in the world, with a lifetime risk of 26% for men and 23% for women. Atrial fibrillation is a prevalent cardiac arrhythmia that is more common with increasing age. Globally, around 33.5 million people are estimated to have AF, which is anticipated to rise as the population ages. Although effective therapeutic methods exist, they are costly for the healthcare system. The search was conducted across multiple databases, including Medline, PubMed, and Google Scholar, as well as through manual searches of recognized publications and their bibliographies. Identifying modifiable risk factors for AF and implementing appropriate preventative measures may significantly improve public health and reduce healthcare costs. The development of AF has been reported to be associated with various causes, including electrical and structural changes in the atrial tissue. This article has reviewed how environmental factors, occupational hazards, and seasonal variability can affect AF. The incidence and prevalence of AF have been increasing, leading to a high lifetime risk for individuals. The available evidence indicates that seasonal variation, environmental factors, such as noise and air pollution, type of job, and altitude are all associated with an increased risk of developing AF. Although the exact mechanisms underlying these associations remain unclear, it is likely that a combination of factors, including changes in autonomic tone, inflammation, and oxidative stress, play a role. This review has highlighted the significance of assuming the role of environmental and occupational factors in the development of AF.

How to prevent 3 million deaths worldwide: a systematic review of occupational accident research—a factor- and cost-based approach

Abstract Occupational accidents have emerged as a global concern, necessitating a comprehensive examination of their determinants and associated costs. This review aims to summarize, synthesize, and organize the factors and cost drivers of occupational accidents, exploring whether there is a gender perspective. Adhering to PRISMA guidelines, we performed a narrative synthesis to systematically review relevant literature. A systematic search was conducted in the electronic databases PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. Two researchers screened all records to eliminate any duplicates, and they selected the articles for full review. A third researcher was consulted to resolve discrepancies and reach a consensus. The analysis of 15 studies revealed diverse perspectives; in terms of determinants, studies on organizational aspects and the theory of human error were grouped together, while in cost drivers, the human capital model and willingness to pay were the most frequently used. Gender, meanwhile, is identified as a determinant variable for accident rate. Additionally, limitations such as data underestimation were noted in the existing literature. The review highlights the need for empirical studies capable of addressing both determinants and cost drivers. It also provides guidelines for researchers to design studies that are more comparable across different contexts, including the gender debate.

Differences in suicide acceptability by farming-related occupation, demographic, and religiosity factors, general social survey 2000–2022

Introduction Suicide acceptability beliefs must be considered when evaluating interventions to prevent suicide, as such beliefs can reveal cultural sanctions associated with suicide and suicidal behaviors and thoughts. Compared to the general US population, farmers/ranchers have an elevated suicide rate, requiring culturally competent interventions. This analysis investigated whether farmers and workers in agricultural-related industries differ from the general U.S. population in suicide acceptability levels. Methods Cross-sectional General Social Survey (GSS) data were combined from years 2000 to 2022. Four yes/no items assessing whether respondents thought an individual should be able to decide to end their life amid four negative life scenarios were used to define suicide acceptability or endorsement. U.S. Census Bureau industry and occupational codes were used to delineate occupations. Age, sex, race, ethnicity, educational level, survey administration year, and religiosity level were covariates for multiple logistic regression analyses. Among 18,191 respondents to the GSS, 167 people worked in farming/ranching roles, including 74 farmers/ranch operators and 93 farm/ranch workers. Results In unadjusted models, individuals in farm-related occupations had a lower prevalence than the general US adult population of sanctioning suicide if facing an incurable disease. Yet, suicide endorsement beliefs showed no statistically significant differences between farmers/ranchers and the general population after demographic factors were included in the model. Age, sex, race, ethnicity, and education were significant predictors of suicide acceptability, p < 0.01. The prevalence of farmer/ranch operators identifying as very or moderately religious was significantly higher than that of farm/ranch workers and the general population, p < 0.05. The sample identifying as non-religious had higher odds of sanctioning suicide when faced with an incurable disease (aOR 5.980, 95%CI 5.235–6.829), bankruptcy (aOR 3.281, 95%CI 2.791–3.857), having dishonored their family (aOR 3.215, 95%CI 2.732–3.784), or becoming tired of living (aOR 3.660, 95%CI 3.209–4.175). Conclusion The present results showed that farmers’/ranchers’ acceptability of suicide was not distinct from the general US population in multivariable models. However, given their disproportionately high suicide rate, they require customized outreach and interventions. Further research may elucidate how religiosity, demographic factors, and beliefs about suicide and religion impact interventions to prevent suicide for individuals working in farming/ranching.

COVID-19 risk by work-related factors: pooled analysis of individual linked data from 14 cohorts

BackgroundSARS-CoV-2 infection rates vary by occupation, but the association with work-related characteristics (such as home working, keyworker or furlough) are not fully understood and may depend on ascertainment approach. We...

Incidence of Neoplasms in Endemic Fight Agents: Results of a Retrospective Cohort.

The aim of the study is to measure cancer's incidence in endemic fight agents in a Brazil's Northeast state. This is a historical cohort with 1053 endemic fight agents. A survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier method. The overall neoplasm incidence rate has been 5508 cases per 105, and 4843 cases per 105 when nonmelanoma skin tumors were excluded. The increase in incidence of neoplasms occurred in 2019 and has conferred a risk of neoplasms 20 times higher than the national and state incidence. We believe in an occupational factor for these results: the chronic exposure to insecticides used in public health campaigns. The peak incidence of neoplasms, in 2019, may corroborate with long induction period of these compounds, in addition to consistency with specialized literature.

Epidemiological Characteristics and Spatiotemporal Analysis of Occupational Noise-Induced Deafness From 2006 to 2022 in Guangdong, China: Surveillance Study.

Occupational noise-induced deafness (ONID) has replaced occupational poisoning as the second most common occupational disease in China since 2015. However, there is a limited number of articles on epidemiological characteristics of legally diagnosed ONID. We conducted a comprehensive analysis of the epidemiological and spatiotemporal characteristics of ONID in Guangdong Province from 2006 to 2022, with the aim of providing a scientific foundation for policy formulation and health resource allocation. Surveillance data of ONID cases in Guangdong Province from 2006 to 2022 were obtained from the "Occupational Diseases and Health Hazard Factors Monitoring Information System." Joinpoint regression analysis was applied to assess the long-term trends in cases of ONID from 2006 to 2022. Global spatial autocorrelation analysis was performed to measure the overall degree of similarity of the attribute values of spatially adjacent or neighboring regional units. The local indicators of spatial autocorrelation (LISA) plots were then used to identify the local clusters of ONID in Guangdong. There were 3761 ONID cases in Guangdong Province from 2006 to 2022, showing a significantly increased trend in cases across the entire study period (average annual percentage change 21.9, 95% CI 18.7-35.1). The Moran's I values for the period of 2006 to 2022 ranged from 0.202 to 0.649 (all P<.001), indicating a positive spatial correlation of ONID across regions each year in Guangdong Province. A total of 15 high-high clusters were notably concentrated in specific counties within the Pearl River Delta. Significant spatiotemporal patterns of ONID in Guangdong Province from 2006 to 2022 were identified, characterized by a dramatic increase followed by stabilization in case numbers. ONID predominantly occur in manufacturing industries, domestically funded enterprises, among males, individuals aged 40-49 years, and those with 5+ years of occupational noise exposure. Spatial analysis demonstrated significant clustering in the Pearl River Delta region, with consistent positive spatial autocorrelation across years. These results could help prioritize the allocation of resources for targeted prevention and control measures for ONID.

Lumbar disc herniation

The most common cause of disc herniation is the degeneration of the intervertebral disc. Consequently, lumbar disc herniations are amongst the most common pathologies of the lumbar spine. Factors that can increase the risk of disc herniation include genetics, weight, occupational risk factors, smoking, as well as apredominantly sedentary profession. Pathognomonic symptoms of aherniated disc include sciatica, caused by the compression of one or more spinal nerve roots. The clinical sequelae of lumbar disc herniations range from mild low back and buttock pain to severe, immobilising cases of sciatica to cauda equina compression syndromes. In 1-1.5% of cases, acauda equina syndrome may occur. This cauda equina syndrome may be considered an emergency situation that requires immediate attention and surgical decompression. The same applies to significant and rapidly deteriorating neurological deficits (< 24 h). In all other cases, which represents the majority of all patients,substantial pain relief can be achieved with nonsurgical measures. If an adequate and intolerable pain relief cannot be achieved despite intense conservative treatment measures after an extended period of 6-12weeks, surgical removal of the disc herniation may be indicated. Lumbar disc herniations may be addressed surgically with minimally invasive techniques. The goal of the surgery is full and sufficient safe removal of the herniated disc fragments in order to decompress the spinal nerves as well as the cauda equina. The two most commonly used surgical techniques (endoscopic/microsurgical) entail fivedifferent approaches (endoscopic: interlaminar, transforaminal; microsurgical: interlaminar, translaminar, extraforaminal). Patients are generally fully mobilized within hours after the surgery without any further restrictions. Postoperative rehabilitation measures are often carried out, but have no scientifically proven influence on the outcome of the operation. This article sheds light on the diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, techniques and special features of this socio-medically very important clinical picture.

Lifestyle and Occupational Factors Associated with Recurrent Stroke among Working-Age Adults in Urban Areas of Thailand

Lifestyle and Occupational Factors Associated with Recurrent Stroke among Working-Age Adults in Urban Areas of Thailand

Article title: Assessment of natural radioactivity (40K, 238U and 232Th) and radiological risk in building construction materials: the case of Benin hill granites

Continuous exposure to ionizing radiation can have harmful effects on human health. In this respect, a study was carried out in the Communes of Dassa-zoume and Glazoue to determine the levels of 40K, 238U and 232Th in granites and sand. The specific activities obtained made it possible to assess the possible radiological risks associated with the resident population. During sampling work in November 2022, twelve granite samples were taken from twelve quarries. In addition, a sand sample was collected in Cotonou for comparison. All samples were then sent to the INSTN-Madagascar laboratory for gamma-ray spectrometry analysis using a NaI(TI) detector. The results show that the average specific activities of 40K, 238U and 232Th in the granites are (1329 ± 128) Bq.kg-1, (44 ± 11) Bq.kg-1 and (129 ± 44) Bq.kg-1 respectively. Those in sand are (144 ± 8) Bq.kg-1, (30 ± 2) Bq.kg-1 and (56 ± 7) Bq.kg-1 respectively. The average equivalent radium activity is (330 ± 74) Bq.kg-1 versus (122 ± 10) Bq.kg-1 for sand. The mean gamma index for granite was (1.2 ± 0.3), compared with (0.43 ± 0.03) for sand. The average absorbed dose rate in air is (153.4 ± 9.4) nGy.h-1 versus (53.7 ± 5.1) nGy.h-1 for sand. For adults, for 80% building occupancy factor, the mean annual indoors and outdoors effective dose (E) inside a building are (0.75 ± 0.05) mSv.y-1 and (0.19 ± 0.01) mSv.y-1 versus (0.26 ± 0.05) mSv.y-1 and (0.07 ± 0.01) mSv.y-1 for sand. For 60% factor, the means are (0.56 ± 0.03) mSv.y-1 and (0.38 ± 0.02) mSv.y-1 versus (0.20 ± 0.01) and (0.13 ± 0.01) mSv.y-1 for sand. For the children, for a building occupancy factor of 80%, the average E are (0.86 ± 0.05) mSv.y-1 and (0.21 ± 0.01) mSv.y-1 versus (0.30 ± 0.01) mSv.y-1 and (0.08 ± 0.01) mSv.y-1 for sand respectively for indoors and outdoors. For infants, the E are (1.00 ± 0.06) mSv.y-1 and (0.25 ± 0.01) mSv.y-1 versus (0.35 ± 0.01) mSv.y-1 and (0.09 ± 0.01) mSv.y-1 for sand respectively for indoors and outdoors. For children, for a building occupancy factor of 60%, the average E are (0.64 ± 0.03) mSv.y-1 and (0.43 ± 0.02) mSv.y-1 versus (0.23 ± 0.01) mSv.y-1 and (0.15 ± 0.01) mSv.y-1 for sand respectively indoors and outdoors. For infants, for a building occupancy factor of 60%, the E are (0.75 ± 0.05) mSv.y-1 and (0.50 ± 0.02) mSv.y-1 versus (0.26 ± 0.01) mSv.y-1 and (0.18 ± 0.01) mSv.y-1 for sand respectively indoors and outdoors. For adults, the excess lifetime cancer risk at age 66 for a total annual effective dose induced by granite is (3.1 ± 0.01).10-3 versus (1.1 ± 0.01).10-3 for sand. For the children and infants, the average ELCR is (3.5 ± 0.01)E-3 and (4.1 ± 0.01)E-3 versus (1.2 ± 0.01)E-3 and (1.4 ± 0.01)E-3 for sand respectively. Statistical analysis of the data was performed with Python 3.11 and R 4.3.2 on the Spyder and studio interface. The p-value is &lt; 0.001 compared with the UNSCEAR reference value for absorbed dose rate in air, effective dose and excess risk, which are 84 nGy.h-1, 0.48 mSv.y-1 and 0.29.10-3. This shows that the granites in the quarries studied present a radiological risk when used as building materials and need specific radiation protection measures for his users.

Deep Mycosis in Central Java, Indonesia: Occupational Risk Factors and Diagnostic Challenges in Single Center General Hospital Dr. Moewardi

Deep Mycosis in Central Java, Indonesia: Occupational Risk Factors and Diagnostic Challenges in Single Center General Hospital Dr. Moewardi

Occupational Risk Factors for Burnout Syndrome Among Healthcare Professionals: A Global Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Health professionals are disproportionately affected by burnout compared to other occupational groups. This study aims to systematically review and meta-analyze thirteen occupational risk factors related to burnout syndrome among health professionals globally. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in August 2023. The protocol was registered in The International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO), registration number CRD42023396081. Using a random-effects model, this meta-analysis assessed the association between occupational risk factors and burnout, reporting odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The meta-analysis included 109 studies from diverse global locations. Key factors influencing burnout included workplace bullying, job stress, and poor communication, with protective factors such as supportive work environments, adequate staffing, and individual resilience. All risk factors examined showed a significant positive relationship with burnout incidence. Workplace bullying was strongly associated with increased burnout (OR 4.05–15.01, p &lt; 0.001). Similarly, low job satisfaction and high job stress were strongly associated with burnout, with ORs of 5.05 (95% CI 3.88–6.56, p &lt; 0.001) and 4.21 (95% CI 1.62–10.94, p = 0.003), respectively. The review findings highlight the importance of addressing these risk factors through enhanced supportive work environments and promoting personal resilience strategies.

The Impact of Blood Lead and Its Interaction with Occupational Factors and Air Pollution on Hypertension Prevalence

Large-scale epidemiological studies on the association of blood lead levels with blood pressure and hypertension prevalence are still limited, particularly among lead-exposed workers. The evidence is even more scarce on the interaction of blood lead levels with occupational variables and ambient air pollution levels. We developed mixed-effect models based on a large group of lead-exposed workers (N = 22,002). The results were also stratified by multiple groupings. Compared to participants with blood lead &lt; 20 μg/L, those with levels &gt; 20 μg/L had a 26–37% higher prevalence of hypertension, as well as a 0.65–13.7mmHg higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Workers exposed to high PM10 levels had a 21–28% higher risk. Workers exposed to high temperatures had a 0.41–2.46 mmHg greater increase in blood pressure, and those not exposed to dust had a 1.29–1.65 mmHg greater blood pressure increase. Our findings suggested the negative impact of blood lead on blood pressure and the prevalence of hypertension, with workers exposed to high PM10 concentrations, those exposed to occupational high temperature, and those without dust exposure being more vulnerable.

Advancing prediction of age-related vascular cognitive impairment based on peripheral and retinal vascular health in a pilot study: a novel comprehensive assessment developed for a prospective workplace-based cohort (The Semmelweis Study).

With a growing elderly population in the European Union, age-related diseases associated with unhealthy aging pose increasing public health challenges, including a loss of independence and heightened societal burdens. The Semmelweis Study, a prospective occupational cohort study in Hungary, seeks to identify determinants of unhealthy aging, focusing on the complex relationship between lifestyle, environmental, occupational factors, and the development of chronic age-associated diseases, including age-related vascular cognitive impairment (VCI). The primary objective of this pilot study was to establish a robust, high-throughput assessment methodology to comprehensively evaluate both peripheral and cerebrovascular health to provide a solid foundation for the forthcoming Semmelweis Study framework. The study involved 49 participants aged 23 to 87years, and it assessed multi-domain cognitive performance through an automated battery of tests (CANTAB). Vascular health was comprehensively evaluated using laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI), flow-mediated dilation (FMD), static and dynamic retinal vessel analysis (SVA, DVA), and measurements of vascular stiffness. The retinal microvasculature, which closely mirrors the cerebral circulation in anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology, provided a unique window for examination. Optical imaging through SVA and DVA enables the identification of structural and functional changes in the central nervous system's microcirculation, which are highly relevant to the pathogenesis of VCI. Subsequently, the collected measures were integrated into vascular health indices using principal component analysis (PCA) and the relationship to the age and cognitive status of study participants was explored. These comprehensive vascular health indices demonstrated a correlation not only with age but also with cognitive performance. This methodology holds promise for providing novel insights into the intricate interplay between vascular and cognitive health within the context of the Semmelweis Study.

The COVID-19 experience among international migrant workers in the Republic of Korea: knowledge and awareness of treatment and immigration policies

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic has exposed various health risks and inequities experienced by international migrant workers. The number of migrant workers in the Republic of Korea (ROK) is rapidly growing and is expected to continue growing. Health related research on migrant workers in ROK is limited, especially among undocumented migrant workers who were more vulnerable to the pandemic. This study aims to examine the experiences of migrant workers and their knowledge and awareness of treatment and immigration policies during the pandemic.MethodsWe used data from the International Migrant Workers’ COVID-19 Health Literacy and Access to Medical Care project, a cross-sectional survey conducted with international migrant workers residing in ROK in 2021 (n = 537). Descriptive statistics and multivariable regression models were employed to understand different demographic, occupational, and immigration factors affecting migrant workers’ knowledge and awareness of treatment and immigration policies.ResultsUndocumented migrant workers had a longer length of residence in ROK and earned less compared to workers with work visa status. None of the undocumented migrant workers had access to health insurance since they were ineligible to enroll in the national health insurance scheme. In the early days of the pandemic, most undocumented migrant workers experienced a decrease in their average income. After adjusting for demographic differences and language proficiency, undocumented migrant workers (AOR: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.21, 0.78) were less likely to be aware of the policy allowing foreigners, including undocumented individuals, to access COVID-19 testing and treatment without the risk of deportation. Workers with a longer length of residence (AOR: 1.29, 95% CI: 1.09, 1.53) were more likely to be aware of this policy.ConclusionUndocumented migrant workers were often less informed about COVID-19 policies. While most of the survey respondents were knowledgeable about governmental policies regarding COVID-19 treatment and immigration, our results reveal multiple occupational and health insurance vulnerabilities of undocumented migrant workers living in ROK. More attention is needed to understand healthcare service barriers and how to provide adequate resources for this vulnerable population.