Citation

Pham KTH, Nguyen LH, Vuong QH, Ho MT, Vuong TT, Nguyen HT, Vu GT, Nguyen HLT, Tran BX, Latkin CA, Ho CSH, Ho RCM. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019; 16(9): e16091502.

Affiliation

Biomedical Global Institute of Healthcare Research & Technology (BIGHEART), National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore. pcmrhcm@nus.edu.sg.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, MDPI: Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute)

DOI

10.3390/ijerph16091502

PMID

31035337

Abstract

Vietnam has experienced massive internal migration waves from rural to industrialized zones. However, little efforts have been made to understand differences in health conditions and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) between local and migrant industrial workers. This study aimed to examine the inequality in health status and HRQOL between these workers. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 289 Vietnamese workers at three industrial areas in Hanoi and Bac Ninh. Self-reported health status and HRQOL were measured using the EuroQOL-5 dimensions-5 levels (EQ-5D-5L) instrument. Sociodemographic, working, and environmental factors were also investigated. Overall, the mean EQ-5D index was 0.74 (SD = 0.21) and the average number of health problems in the last 12 months in our sample was 1.91 (SD = 1.63) problems. Migrant people had a lower EQ-5D index (β = -0.08, p < 0.01) and more health problems (β = 0.20, p < 0.05) compared to local workers. Those being male, working in the same posture more than 60 min, and exposed to more hazards at work were correlated with a lower EQ-5D index and higher number of health problems. The results highlighted inequalities in health status and HRQOL between migrant and local workers. Reinforcing regular health check-ups, ensuring sufficient protective equipment and working conditions may help improve the health outcomes of the workers.

Language: en

Keywords

health status; health-related quality of life; industry; inequality; migration; worker