Thai Workers Research Articles

Evolving of Low-wage Migrant Workers’ Health Information Seeking Roles Pre and Post Covid-19

An estimated 164 million people work as migrant workers, and many of them are low-income individuals who face a significant risk of virus transmission as a result of contact to the environment and during work. This study intends to provide light on how the behavior and roles of migrant low-income workers in seeking out health information have evolved over time, both before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. We used semi-structured interviews as part of an exploratory qualitative study to learn more about the low-wage migrant Thai workers’ experiences in Taiwan. Thematic analysis was used to examine the interview data. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, migrant Thai workers evolved unique health information habits and roles. Due to their perceived dangers, they also expanded their care to include those in their immediate social circle and switched from seeking health information as sufferers to doing so as caregivers. This study recognizes and responds to the needs of the society’s most vulnerable migrant workers. The results of this study would direct the government and technological solutions to meet their requirements for health information in the right ways.

Understanding Acculturation Strategies Through Intergroup Social Interaction: A Case Study of Thai Workers in Japan

Most studies of Thai workers in Japan are oriented towards low-skilled groups of workers. Unlike low-skilled workers, highly skilled migrant workers experience intense social interaction with Japanese colleagues, resulting in dynamics and degrees of intergroup relationships and acculturation process. This article therefore identifies acculturation strategies dominant among highly skilled Thai workers in Japanese working societies through the lens of intergroup contacts. It also explores the intergroup social interactions between Thai and Japanese people in workplaces and uncovers the effects of intergroup contact on the acculturation process. Narratives from interviews with 12 highly skilled Thai workers led to three findings. First, integration is predominantly identified as the most advantageous acculturation strategy. Second, positive intergroup social contact prevails on the condition that Thai workers strictly follow the norms and values in the workplaces, particularly behaviors which demonstrate a sense of selflessness. Finally, positive social contact between highly skilled Thai workers and Japanese people facilitates the integration process of highly skilled Thai workers. Based on the findings, some implications are discussed.

Effectiveness of a Nurse-Led Workplace Intervention in Reducing Cardiovascular Risks Among Thai Workers: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

The prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) is continuously increasing. A nurse-led workplace health promotion program (NWHPP) has demonstrated potential in reducing cardiovascular risks among employees. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the NWHPP in reducing CVD risks among at-risk workers. Sixty workers from 2 factories in Thailand, each with an estimated 10-year cardiovascular risk of 5% or higher (determined by the WHO/ISH cardiovascular risk prediction chart), were enrolled. Participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention or control group based on their factory. The intervention group received an 8-week program comprising 3 core components: redesigning healthcare services, strengthening self-management, and obtaining organizational support. Evaluations of the estimated 10-year CVD risk, systolic blood pressure (SBP), smoking status, and body mass index (BMI) were conducted at baseline and at 1- and 3-month follow-ups. The intervention group showed significant improvements compared to the control group in CVD risk score (F = 4.827, P = .017) and SBP (F = 12.136, P < .001). Moreover, non-smokers were significantly higher in the intervention group (75.0%) compared with the control group (46.2%) after the 3-month follow-up (OR = 3.50; 95%CI 1.11-11.07; P = .030). However, BMI differences between the groups were not statistically significant. The nurse-led workplace health promotion program effectively improved cardiovascular risk scores among at-risk workers. Developing workplace policies and environments that promote healthy behaviors is essential for reducing CVD risks among at-risk workers.

Oral Hygiene Behaviors and Oral Health Literacy Among Informal Thai Workers in Rural Areas

Background: Informal Thai workers experience disparities in accessing health services. Improper oral healthcare behavior is the main cause of oral diseases. Promoting oral health literacy (OHL) is an essential strategy for achieving positive oral health outcomes. This study aimed to investigate OHL, oral hygiene behavior (OHB), and associated factors of OHB among informal Thai workers in a rural context. Methods: A cross-sectional community-based survey was conducted among 274 informal Thai workers aged 20–59 years. The data were collected through face-to-face interviews with questionnaires. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of the OHL scale was 0.86. Data were analyzed using simple and multiple logistic regression with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: The findings revealed that 138 of the participants (50.4%) had proper OHB, and 46.4% had proficiency in overall OHL. Seven factors were significantly associated with OHB, namely, educational attainment, the job sector, the sufficiency of family income, and three OHL dimensions, including understand, appraise, and apply. However, three predictors of proper OHB were those who attained secondary school and higher education (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 2.24, 95% CI: 1.31–3.85) and OHL proficiency in the understand and appraise components (AOR: 2.23, 95% CI: 1.25–4.00 and AOR: 1.98, 95% CI: 1.11–3.52, respectively). Conclusion: Therefore, public health dental care units should organize activities to improve workers’ capacity and ability to exhibit OHB. The OHL promotion program should be developed with an emphasis on providing the public with a detailed understanding of oral hygiene. Dental health education is enhanced by inquiring, verifying, and looking at skills to help them gain the skills and confidence to provide consistent oral care.

Social Support Expectations of Managers and Employees from Croatia, Thailand, and the United States Amid COVID-19: An Organizational Support Theory Perspective

ABSTRACT Social support can help buffer against stressors and build employees’ resilience. However, workers of different cultures may vary in their expectation of support. Drawing on organizational support theory (OST), this qualitative study explored the types of support managers and employees (n = 668) from Croatia, Thailand, and the United States expected from each other amid COVID-19. A cluster analysis showed US workers expected more understanding and transparent communication from their supervisors while Thai workers desired stronger leadership and more protective gear. US supervisors expected employees to proactively ask for help while Thai supervisors encouraged their employees to adapt to change. Both Croatian supervisors and employees expected each other to maintain business as usual. Overall, the results resonate with previous OST research that expectations of support vary by cultures and highlight how leaders across countries can enhance the efficacy of social support and promote both supervisors’ and subordinates’ well-being during future crises.

Immune Response to Common Bacteria Causing Sepsis in Myanmar Workers in Northeast Thailand: A Preliminary Study

Migrant workers from Myanmar living in Thailand have significantly increased, these migrant workers may display health risk of common bacterial infections and host immune response of Myanmar workers to those common bacterial infections is still not well known. In this study, we observed antibodies and interferon-gamma to the common bacteria causing sepsis in this area, such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa including Burkholderia pseudomallei which is pathogenic and endemic in this area. The results showed that Myanmar workers decreased cellular function of interferon-gamma response, compared with native Thai workers. But the humoral response of human IgG showed no significant difference between Myanmar and Thai workers. Even though E. coli and K. pneumonia induced lower level of plasma IgG response than the other two bacteria, but host plasma could effectively kill and clear the bacteria within an hour in vitro. Interestingly, the level of anti-Hcp 1, which is a diagnostic marker for B. pseudomallei, was low in Myanmar workers suggesting no exposure to this organism. However, the sample size should be increased to reach the conclusion. Our study could provide useful information for Myanmar migrant workers to promote safe working and awareness of health risks to bacterial infections. Keywords: Burkholderia pseudomallei, Hcp-1, Interferon gamma, Plasma IgG, Myanmar migrant workers

Comparative Ergonomic Study Examining the Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorder Symptoms of Taiwanese and Thai Workers in a Tape Manufacturing Factory.

This study surveyed 114 Taiwanese and 57 Thai workers in a tape manufacturing factory in Taiwan and evaluated their symptoms of work-related musculoskeletal disorder (WMSD) and associated risk factors by using the revised Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Task-appropriate biomechanical and body load assessment tools were also employed to examine biomechanical and body load during four specified daily tasks. The results indicated that the prevalence of discomfort symptoms in any body part within one year was 81.6% for the Taiwanese workers and 72.3% for the Thai workers. The body part in which the Taiwanese workers most frequently experienced discomfort was the shoulders (57.0%), followed by the lower back (47.4%), the neck (43.9%), and the knees (36.8%); where the Thai workers most frequently experienced discomfort was the hands or wrists (42.1%), followed by the shoulders (36.8%) and the buttocks or thighs (31.6%). These locations of discomfort were associated with task characteristics. Heavy-material handling (>20 kg) more than 20 times per day was the most significant risk factor for WMSDs for both groups, and this task must thus be urgently improved. We also suggest that providing wrist braces for Thai workers may assist in alleviating their hand and wrist discomfort. The biomechanical assessment results indicated that the compression forces acting on the workers' lower backs exceeded the Action Limit standard; administrative controls must thus be instituted for two heavy-material handling tasks. In the factory, some tasks and workers' movements when completing these tasks must be assessed and improved immediately by using appropriate tools. Although the Thai workers were engaged in more physically demanding tasks, their WMSDs were milder than those of the Taiwanese workers. The results of the study can serve as references for the prevention and reduction of WMSDs in local and foreign workers in similar industries.

Bilateral agreements, precarious work, and the vulnerability of migrant workers in Israel

Abstract We examine the short-term and long-term impact of bilateral agreements on migrant workers’ vulnerability during their employment in Israel. To do so, we developed the Vulnerability Index of Migrant Workers based on five dimensions: poor working conditions, poor living conditions, poor safety conditions, low wages, and dependence on migration costs. We focus on migrant workers arriving in Israel from two different countries (China and Thailand), employed in two different sectors of the economy (construction and agriculture, respectively). Data was gathered through a survey conducted among workers arriving from both countries before and after the implementation of the bilateral agreements. The study revealed that after the implementation of bilateral agreements, the working, living and safety conditions of migrant workers remained poor or even worsened. For Thai workers, there was a slight improvement in the working and living conditions in the short term after the bilateral agreement, but they worsened in the long run. The total Index of Vulnerability of both groups showed improvement due to the dramatic decrease in dependence on migration costs, despite the deterioration in some working and living conditions and the reduction in migrant workers’ relative wages.

Dementia Care for Europeans in Thailand: A Geography of Futures.

We explore the creation of private care facilities around Chiang Mai in northern Thailand to provide dementia care for people from the Global North. We draw on three periods of ethnographic observation at care facilities, and interviews with Swiss and British owners and family members, as well as Thai managers and care workers. We locate this offshoring of dementia care from the Global North to South within existing underfunding of dementia care in the Global North and a "regime of anticipation" built around expected substantial growth in the numbers of people living with dementia. These facilities are opening new futures for those who migrate for care as they leverage their relative wealth and privilege to purchase care in Thailand. In line with other readings of international health migration, we note the negative impact of this state-supported privatized industry on the availability of nurses and care aids in public hospitals in Thailand. We then venture into less examined and expected futurities, namely, the opportunities these facilities provide to two groups of stigmatized Thai workers: transgender and Indigenous Karen caregivers.

A neo-Marxist anthropology of urban workers and peasant farmers in Thailand

This manuscript is an original cultural anthropological study that is based on fieldwork done by the principal investigator, Antonio L. Rappa, on groups of urban workers and peasant farmers of Bangkok, Chiangmai, and Pattaya from 1998 to 2016. The focus of this manuscript is on how these workers survive late modernity within the neoliberal capitalist world scenario. The fieldwork also showed the importance of materialism among Thai workers and how they remain trapped in giving up the surplus labor value of their work to the bourgeoisie (Marxian Theory). Since 1932 (the Siamese and since 1946), the Thai workers have been suppressed and exploited by the ruling elite (Power Elite Theory). Whether we use a Cultural Anthropological/Marxian, neo-Marxist Anthropological, or Power Elite theory (C. Wright Mills’ Theory) approach, it remains clear in 2022 that the Thai people still continue to be imprisoned by a desire for luxury goods and services (Thorstein Veblen). Then, there is the complication of religion. At least 93% of all Thai people are Theravada Buddhists and staunchly believe in worshiping the Buddha as well as in various superstitions. The remaining 5–7% are Muslims and Christians. It is only the Muslims who have consistently given political trouble to the Bangkok capitalists but the Muslims are not socialists or communists since they believe in the god known as Allah. Ever since the 1970s, Thailand came under serious threat from communism like many Southeast Asian states. King Bhumiphon Adulyadej (Rama IX) was already a deeply respected monarch and a virtual demi-God to the superstitious and animistic Thai Buddhists. Few Thais realized at that time that the King was also a well-read scientist knowledgeable in urban planning and agriculture. Rama IX applied the knowledge that he garnered from Switzerland and Cambridge, Massachusetts, toward building a new kind of thinking, called Self-Sufficiency Economy (SSE). Rama IX’s SSE was not unique to Thailand and commonly practiced to various effects in South Asia, the Far East, and Southeast Asia. Nevertheless, the king thought that the SSE would be a good way out for his people. He believed that if each Tambon or village could cooperate using existing resources, provincial assistance in agricultural knowledge, and the model-village concept, then the Thai people would be self-sufficient in many aspects. This was also known as the One-Tambon, OneProduct (OTOP) policy. This is itself a manifestation of the materialist cultural anthropologic of Thai culture itself. The manuscript concludes with an analysis of the dual pricing system or two-tier pricing system, and why the Thai people appear to support Thorstein Veblen’s Theory and C. Wright Mills’ Theory rather than any neo-Marxist theory of land distribution and property ownership.

Workforce Skill Development Policy Guideline for Industrial Revolution in Thailand

An article presents policies for Thailand's workforce development under the context of the 4th Industrial Revolution. It will be helpful for executives to design policies to improve the country's workforce. Within context, the changes from the impact of the Industrial Revolution were due to the influence of Disruptive Technology. The paper explores directions, trends, impacts, and policies for managing labor issues in the Disruptive Technologies era. Studying the opinions of 26 CEOs and executives of businesses in Thailand(2019-2020) used or affected by the Industrial Revolution, obstacles, feedback, focusing on issues, concepts about Disruptive Technologies, and vocational education concepts.&#x0D; They are using qualitative research methodology and procedures to support policy. The study results are the impact of Industrial Revolution on Thai workers and technological TVET Institution to develop Thai people during Industrial Revolution, educational management to develop Thai people in the Thailand 4.0 Therefore focuses on increasing labor skills and educating to create new skill / Upskill /Reskill for workers under reality.&#x0D; The policy document also outlines recommendations from the public and private executives. The CEOs have advised on the issue of developing the skills and performance of the workforce in the future. The changes in the skills of older workers and summary provide policy recommendations to educational institutions and governments.

Forum Panelist 1: COVID-19 Response: BBNGO ‘crossing’ the nationality borders

The Movement Control Order (MCO) due to the COVID-19 Pandemic implemented on18 March 2020 for Malaysia and the closing of the borders between Malaysia and Thailand caused a lot of strain on the Thai citizens working in Malaysia. Many of them were unable to do their usual job especially in the restaurants all over Malaysia.Efforts were taken by the NGOs and its sponsors in Thailand to relieve the Thai citizens’ suffering. On the 13th of April an agreement was signed between the Thai Islamic Medical Association of Thailand and ‘PertubuhanGabunganBantuanBencana NGO’ Malaysia (BBNGO) to support the Thai citizens in their daily life due to the difficulties during the MCO. Majority of those affected were the restaurant workers.According to reports there were about 40,000 Thai workers in Malaysia, most of whom worked in restaurants. On 18th April 2020 The Malaysian-Thai border was opened limitedly via five checkpoints, only 350 Thai citizens were allowed to cross each day. By early May 2020 more than 7,200 Thais have crossed the border including 2,100 who entered illegally by foot or small boats.Through the agreement between TIMA and BBNGO more than 400 packs of food supply were delivered to the Thai citizens mainly in Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Penang, Perlis and Kedah. Information about their addresses and phone numbers were provided. Some were delivered direct to their homes while in some areas, they were asked to collect supplies from the nearby sundry shops. Knowing the difficulty of movement between districts during the MCO, the help of local NGOs was very much needed. The ‘Pertubuhan Ikram Malaysia’ (through its Yayasan Ikram/I-Bantu), having branches in many districts of Malaysia became our main partner. The SOPs were maintained during the deliveries. Due to our good, continuous cooperation and relationship since our engagement in the 2014 flood in Kelantan and the 2016/17 flood in Southern Thailand, we have managed to implement several humanitarian missions and social activities with the Thai Islamic Medical Association and its partners. Other BBNGO activities during the MCO include aid for the university students, fresh cooked food for the front-liners, preparation of PPEs, food supply for the poor and needy.COVID-19, you are a blessing in disguise; you bring our hearts together may it be citizens or non-citizens, people of all races and religion. May Allah blessthe human race and its submission to God.International Journal of Human and Health Sciences Supplementary Issue: 2021 Page: S6

A Neo-Marxist Anthropology of Urban Workers and Peasant Farmers in Thailand

This article is an original cultural anthropological study that is based on fieldwork done by the principal investigator, Antonio L. Rappa, on groups of urban workers and peasant farmers of Bangkok, Chiangmai, and Pattaya from 1998 to 2016. The focus of this article is on how these workers survive late modernity within the neoliberal capitalist world scenario. The fieldwork also showed the importance of materialism among Thai workers and how they remain trapped in giving up the surplus labor value of their work to the bourgeoisie (Marxian Theory). Since 1932 (the Siamese and since 1946), the Thai workers have been suppressed and exploited by the ruling elite (Power Elite Theory). Whether we use a Cultural Anthropological/Marxian, neo-Marxist Anthropological, or Power Elite theory (C. Wright Mills’ Theory) approach, it remains clear in 2022 that the Thai people still continue to be imprisoned by a desire for luxury goods and services (Thorstein Veblen). Then, there is the complication of religion. At least 93% of all Thai people are Theravada Buddhists and staunchly believe in worshipping the Buddha as well as in various superstitions. The remaining 5–7% are Muslims and Christians. It is only the Muslims who have consistently given political trouble to the Bangkok capitalists but the Muslims are not socialists or communists since they believe in the god known as Allah. Ever since the 1970s, Thailand came under serious threat from communism like many Southeast Asian states. King Bhumiphon Adulyadej (Rama IX) was already a deeply respected monarch and a virtual demi-God to the superstitious and animistic Thai Buddhists. Few Thais realized at that time that the King was also a well-read scientist knowledgeable in urban planning and agriculture. Rama IX applied the knowledge that he garnered from Switzerland and Cambridge, Massachusetts, toward building a new kind of thinking, called Self-Sufficiency Economy (SSE). Rama IX’s SSE was not unique to Thailand and commonly practiced to various effects in South Asia, the Far East, and Southeast Asia. Nevertheless, the king thought that the SSE would be a good way out for his people. He believed that if each Tambon or village could cooperate using existing resources, provincial assistance in agricultural knowledge, and the model-village concept, then the Thai people would be self-sufficient in many aspects. This was also known as the One-Thambon, One-Product (OTOP) policy. This is itself a manifestation of the materialist cultural anthropologic of Thai culture itself. The article concludes with an analysis of the dual pricing system or two-tier pricing system, and why the Thai people appear to support Thorstein Veblen’s Theory and C. Wright Mills’ Theory rather than any neo-Marxist theory of land distribution and property ownership.

Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Workforce Skill Development Policy and Strategy to Support 4th Industrial Revolution due to Disruptive Technology

Research papers on Technical Vocational Education and Training Workforce Skill Development Policy and Strategy to Support fourth industrial revolution due to Disruptive Technology aim to explore directions, trends, impacts, as well as policies for managing labor issues in the Disruptive Technologies era, studying the opinions of executives of businesses used or affected by Disruptive Technology, as well as obstacles, feedback, focusing on issues, concepts about Disruptive Technologies and vocational education concepts. Research methodology used in qualitative research and procedures for conducting studies. The study results are the impact of Disruptive Technology on Thai workers and technical vocational education and training (TVET) to develop a skill for the Thai workforce during disruptive technology, educational management to develop Thai people in the Thai era.4.0. Therefore, two focuses must be placed on: 1) increasing labor skills and 2) educating new workers under reality. In conclusion, the article outlines the approach of skill development to the labor force that must be advanced in the era of Disruptive Technology. It was briefly explained that realistic work means workers with flexible knowledge and skills adapting to advanced technologies. Therefore, for work to meet the required standards, TVET development requires a professional standardization process, namely information related to work knowledge. Creating the necessary skills and attributes requires operational standards. Procedures and scope of operation operational equipment prove performance and expertise in technical skills knowledge, competence, and performance results and policy recommendations on the government sector: Private Educational Institutions in managing labor issues in the Disruptive Technology era.

Nasal Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Carriage Among Foreign Workers Recruited to Taiwan From Southeastern Asian Countries.

BackgroundIn 2012, we identified the dissemination of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) sequence type (ST)45 strain in 14 nursing homes in Taiwan and foreign nurse workers, a significant risk factor for MRSA carriage. We conducted this study to understand MRSA carriage and molecular characteristics among foreign workers recruited from Southeastern Asian countries.MethodsA cross-sectional study involving a total of 1935 foreign workers—929 (arrival group) and 1006 (staying group)—from Vietnam (n = 843), Indonesia (n = 780), the Philippines (n = 239), and Thailand (n = 70) were conveniently recruited during upon-arrival and regular health examination in a regional hospital. A nasal swab was obtained from each participant for detection of MRSA.ResultsOverall, MRSA carriage rate was 2.72%, with 2.26% for arrival group and 3.18% for staying group, and 4.74% for Vietnamese, 1.28% for Indonesians, 1.26% for Filipino, and none for Thai workers. Pulsotype AK/ST45 (57%) and pulsotype AX/ST188 (14%) were the top 2 dominant clones for the arrival group, whereas pulsotype D/ST59 (41%) (an endemic community clone in Taiwan) and pulsotype AK/ST45 (19%) were predominant for the staying group. A significant decrease of pulsotype AK/ST45 from 57% to 19% (P = .007) and increase of pulsotype D/ST59 from 4.8% to 41% (P = .004) were found between the arrival and the staying groups.ConclusionsApproximately 3% of foreign workers recruited from Southeastern Asian countries to Taiwan were colonized with MRSA, including the ST45 strain. However, the MRSA isolates from workers staying in Taiwan were mostly a locally endemic clone and genetically different from those identified from workers on arrival.

Investigation of Measles Outbreak among Thai and Migrant Workers in Two Factories in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, 2019.

On 22 March 2019 the Thai Department of Disease Control (DDC) was notified that 16 workers, including Thai and Myanmar migrant workers, from two factories located in Nakhon Phathom Province, had presented with a fever with rash during the previous 2 weeks. Active case finding was conducted among workers in both factories using face-to-face interviews. Suspected cases were defined as a worker who developed fever with rash with one of the following symptoms: cough, coryza or conjunctivitis. Testing for measles IgM antibodies and viral identification through throat swabs by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were performed to confirm diagnosis. Vaccination history among cases was reviewed. Nationality and age-specific attack rates (AR) were calculated. An environmental study and a social network analysis were conducted to better understand the transmission process. A total 56 cases (AR = 0.97%) were identified. Of 21 serum measles IgM collected, 8 (38.0%) were positive. Of 8 throat swabs collected, 5 (62.5%) were positive for measles genotype D8. The disease attack rate in migrant employees was twice as large as the rate in Thai counterparts (AR = 0.7 and 1.4%). The first case was identified as a Myanmar worker who arrived in Thailand two weeks prior to his illness. The Myanmar workers’ accommodation was more crowded than that for Thai workers. The hot spots of transmission were found at a drinking water tank which had shared glasses. Among the cases, 62.5% could not recall their vaccination history, and 25% had never had an injection containing a measles vaccination. The majority of migrant cases had never completed a two-dose measles vaccination. To halt the outbreak, measles vaccines were administered to the employees, particularly those working in the same sections with the cases and shared glasses were removed. For future policy action, a vaccination program should be incorporated into the work permit issuance process.

Asian Labourers, the Thai Government and the Thai-Burma Railway

While the suffering of Allied prisoners of war on the Thai-Burma railway during the Second World War is well documented, much less is known about the Asian labourers employed on the project. Focusing on Thai and Chinese workers in Thailand, this study argues that although Asian labourers often suffered in a way comparable to prisoners of war, they also exercised some agency in their dealings with the Japanese. Many workers were motivated to work on the railway by relatively high wages, and at times they employed physical resistance against their treatment. Those workers resident in Thailand often exercised the option of absconding from railway work sites. At times, as elsewhere in the war, race became a central issue and showed not merely social prejudice but political calculation as well. The Thai government acted to protect Thai workers from the excesses of Japanese employment, but this was often at the expense of Chinese labourers resident in Thailand, outsiders who bore the brunt of harsh treatment.

From nano to micrometer size particles – A characterization of airborne cement particles during construction activities

Although, photocatalytic cement contains nanosized TiO2, a possibly carcinogen, no exposure assessments exist for construction workers. We characterized airborne nanoparticle exposures during construction activities simulated in an exposure chamber. We collected some construction site samples for regular cement in Switzerland and Thailand for comparison. Airborne nanoparticles were characterized using scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS), portable aerosol spectrometer (PAS), diffusion size classifier (DiSCmini), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscope energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), and X-ray diffraction. Bagged photocatalytic cement had 2.0 wt% (GSD ± 0.55) TiO2, while TiO2 in aerosols reached 16.5 wt% (GSD ± 1.72) during bag emptying and 9.7 wt% (GSD ± 1.36) after sweeping. The airborne photocatalytic cement particles were far smaller (approximately 50 nm) compared to regular cement. Cutting blocks made from photocatalytic cement or concrete, resulted in similar amounts of airborne nano TiO2 (2.0 wt% GSD ± 0.57) particles as in bagged material. Both photocatalytic and regular cement had a geometric mean diameter (GMD) < 3.5 μm. Main exposures for Thai workers were during sweeping and Swiss workers during drilling and polishing cement blocks. Targeted nanoparticle exposure assessments are needed as a significantly greater exposure to nano TiO2 were observed than what would have been predicted from the material's nano- TiO2 contents.

Comparison of Knowledge, Attitude, and Behavior of Reproductive Health Between Thai and Immigrant Women Workers in Factories in Samut Sakhon, Thailand

Background: Immigration of women workers from neighboring countries into Thailand to work in factories, usually have poor knowledge, attitude, and misbehavior on reproductive health. This can cause problems of reproductive health in Thai society.&#x0D; Objective: To compare the knowledge, attitude, and behavior of reproductive health between Thai and immigrant women workers.&#x0D; Methods: This analytic study compared 107 Thai and 107 immigrant workers in factories in Samut Sakhon, Thailand. All participants were recruited by purposive sampling. Data was collected by self-administered questionnaires which included personal characteristics, knowledge, attitude, and behavior related to reproductive health. Statistical tests were performed to analyze association between variables.&#x0D; Results: Thai workers were older than immigrant workers (31.3 ± 9.5 years vs 25.3 ± 5.1 years; P &lt; .05) and more marriage (84.1% vs 72.0%; P &lt; .05). Compare with immigrant workers, Thai women workers had finished secondary school or lower (51.4% vs 36.4%; P &lt; .05), earned more than ฿15 000 per month (38.3% vs 3.7%; P &lt; .05), owned their own house (15.0% vs 0%; P &lt; .05), paid for their own healthcare (23.4% vs 11.2%; P &lt; .05), and used private hospitals for healthcare services (40.2% vs 17.8%; P &lt; .05). Thai workers had significantly better levels of knowledge and attitude (P &lt; .001). However, immigrant workers were found to have better levels of reproductive health behavior (70.1% vs 68.2%), especially in terms of the number of sexual partners, and a good level of pregnancy-related reproductive behavior (97.4% vs 84.3%), particularly in the practice of exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months or more.&#x0D; Conclusions: Thai workers had more knowledge, attitude, and behavior of reproductive health than immigrant workers, despite their better attitude and behavior in terms of the number of sexual partners and the practice of exclusive breastfeeding 6 months or more.&#x0D;

Transnational contexts and local embeddedness of HIV/STI vulnerabilities among Thai and Filipino agricultural temporary foreign workers in Canada

Each year Canada approves about 70,000 agricultural temporary foreign worker positions. However, few studies have examined temporary foreign workers’ sexual health. In this mixed-methods study, we used surveys and focus groups to explore the knowledge of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STI), sexual behaviours and the perspectives of sexual health of 100 Thai and Filipino temporary foreign workers in southwestern Ontario, Canada. The findings revealed that transnational migration had opened up social space that workers were not familiar with. Social isolation, stress and prolonged separation from spouses and partners resulted in the formation of new intimate relationships. Close to two-thirds of the 100 participants were sexually active in the twelve months prior to the study and over three-quarters did not use condoms. Many participants had misconceptions about HIV risks and safer sex practices. Few temporary workers accessed sexual health services due to language barriers, time constraints, stigma and lack of transport. As a result, many obtained medical advice and medicine through their families back home and relied on self-treatment in dealing with symptoms of genital infections. Effective sexual health promotion for temporary foreign workers must consider the complex interactive sociocultural and political processes that involve institutional practices in the local and transnational contexts.