Health-seeking behaviour of male foreign migrant workers living in a dormitory in Singapore

Lee, Weixian; Neo, Andy; Tan, Sandra; Cook, Alex R.; Wong, Mee Lian; Tan, Joshua; Sayampanathan, Andrew Arjun; Lim, Daniel Yan Zheng; Tang, Shin Yong; Goh, Wei Leong; Chen, Mark; Ho, Chwin

doi:10.1186/1472-6963-14-300

Cited by 55 publications

(74 citation statements)

References 6 publications

(8 reference statements)

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“…Lower salaries and having to financially support more people were previously identified by Lee et al 17 as risk factors for not seeking care within 3 days of illness, though nationality was not an independent risk factor. In our study, although Bangladeshi workers appear to have risk factors for not seeking care, they were a group which sought healthcare more frequently.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 71%

Healthcare-seeking behaviour, barriers and mental health of non-domestic migrant workers in Singapore

et al. 2017

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BackgroundLow-wage migrant workers are vulnerable to healthcare inequities. We sought to identify potential barriers to healthcare and risk factors for mental health issues in non-domestic migrant workers in Singapore, and identify high-risk subgroups.MethodsA cross-sectional, interviewer-administered survey of 433 non-domestic migrant workers was conducted at subsidised clinics and a foreign worker dormitory from July to August 2016. Questions assessed healthcare usage patterns, affordability issues, barriers to care and psychological distress using a validated screening scale (Kessler-6).FindingsBangladeshi workers surveyed were more likely to be single, have more financial dependents, a lower level of education and salary and pay higher agent fees (p<0.01). 61.4% of workers reported that they had insurance, but had poor understanding of whether it covered inpatient/outpatient expenses. The majority of workers had not, or were not sure if they had, received information about company-bought insurance (72.4%). Among those who had, most reported that information was not in their native language (67.7%). Non-specific psychological distress was found in 21.9%, as estimated by the Kessler-6 scale. Multivariate analysis found that psychological distress was independently associated with Bangladeshi nationals (OR 2.98, 95% CI 1.58 to 5.62; p=0.001) and previous experience of financial barriers to healthcare (OR 3.86, 95% CI 2.25 to 6.62; p<0.0001).InterpretationWe identified gaps in non-domestic migrant workers' knowledge of healthcare coverage, and substantial financial barriers to healthcare. The Bangladeshi population in our study was at higher risk of such barriers and psychological distress. These represent areas for further research and intervention.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 71%

Healthcare-seeking behaviour, barriers and mental health of non-domestic migrant workers in Singapore

et al. 2017

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“…(7) While some improvements have been made in healthcare policy for migrant workers in Singapore (such as compulsory medical insurance for inpatient care and day surgery, which saw the minimum coverage raised from SGD 5,000 to SGD 15,000 in 2008), our survey highlights remaining barriers in the delivery of healthcare to migrant workers, from a healthcare provider's perspective. It is hoped that this study, coupled with the findings from our recent migrant worker survey (7) and other recent studies, (8) will provide further data for lawmakers to improve healthcare policy, delivery and regulatory enforcement for our migrant workers in Singapore.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 79%

“…(7) Our survey's findings were similar to those of a study by Lee et al, which reported poor knowledge about health-related insurance among male migrant workers and a greater likelihood for lower-income workers to delay or avoid seeking medical attention due to financial concerns. (8) However, these studies surveyed migrant workers who were largely well, with few having encountered major medical illnesses or hospitalisations. There is limited data on the experience of low-wage migrant workers within the tertiary healthcare setting, and the challenges faced by those who require hospitalisation or specialist care.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Are migrant workers in Singapore receiving adequate healthcare? A survey of doctors working in public tertiary healthcare institutions

Ang¹,

Koh²,

Chua³

et al. 2020

smedj

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Introduction:Migrant workers comprise about one-fifth of Singapore's resident population and form a substantial and vital component of the nation's workforce. However, limited data is available regarding the barriers that migrant workers face in accessing healthcare from the healthcare providers' perspective. Methods:We conducted a survey on doctors working in four restructured hospitals in Singapore, to assess what they perceived to be barriers faced by migrant workers in accessing healthcare. We also assessed the doctors' understanding of migrant-health-related policies in Singapore. Results:A total of 427 survey responses were collected. Most respondents were senior doctors (senior residents or consultants) who had been practising medicine for a median of ten years.Among doctors, the most common perceived barriers to migrant workers accessing healthcare were related to culture/language (92.3%) and finances (healthcare cost) (81%). Of the six questions asked pertaining to migrant healthcare policy in Singapore, the respondents achieved a median of four correctly answered questions (interquartile range 3-5), and 55% were unaware or unsure of available resources for migrant workers. Conclusion:Our study identified healthcare providers' perceived barriers to the delivery of healthcare to migrant workers, which corroborate previously published data reported by migrant workers themselves. Further efforts should be directed toward diminishing these barriers and increasing the literacy of migrant health among healthcare workers.

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“…17 Lee et al stated that fever and respiratory symptoms were the main illnesses among the migrants in Singapore. 18 However, there might be some misperception towards the severity of their illness as most of them (92.7%) had secondary level of education and below. This would affect their health-seeking behaviour as they may not seek treatment for minor illness as they may assume the healthcare system in the host country is not favourable to them.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Care seeking behaviour of Bangladeshi migrant workers in Sarawak, Malaysia

Rahman

Arif

Safii

et al. 2019

Bangladesh Med Res Counc Bull

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Background: Migrant workers are exposed to vulnerable health risks related to occupational safety, infection and personal health risk behaviours. These vulnerabilities, together with low capacity to pay medical care, and poor access to healthcare, can result in unsatisfactory health outcomes. This objective of the study was to determine the pattern of morbidity and the care seeking behaviour of Bangladeshi migrant workers in Sarawak. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among Bangladeshi migrant workers in selected districts in Sarawak, Malaysia. A total of 314 Bangladeshi workers were interviewed by face to face using a pre-designed and validated questionnaire. Simple descriptive analysis was done using SPSS version 22.0. However, to supplement the quantitative findings, field notes were also analysed. Results: The mean (SD) age of the respondents was 35.9 (7.3) years. Most of the workers were engaged in manufacturing job (43%) followed by construction (32.2%) and a variety of job according to the employers' desire (22.9%). The median monthly salary of the workers was MYR 923 with median duration works was 10 years. One-fourth of the workers (25.5%) had no health insurance, while another one tenth of workers were unaware of health insurance. It was found that 20% had medial ailments in the last two weeks, while 45.2% had physical complaints in the last one month. The most frequent complaints were fever (48.4%) followed by injuries (11.3%) in the last two weeks. About three fifths (57.4% in last two weeks and 60.6% in last one month) visited private health hospitals or clinics for their treatment. Only a few workers visited public hospitals or clinics for their ailments. One-fifth of the workers were self-medicated. While another one tenth of workers visited traditional healer for their ailments. Qualitative analysis revealed a high cost and no scope of bargain as factors which discourage them to take treatment from public hospitals or clinics. The majority of migrant workers in this study sought healthcare when they fell ill. Conclusion: However, knowledge about health-related insurance was poor and low wage might be significant issues in accessing health care services. The study concluded that workers’ friendly health policy could be instituted for the welfare of the foreign workers’ despite of their awareness of local health services. Bangladesh Med Res Counc Bull 2019; 45: 47-53

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Health-seeking behaviour of male foreign migrant workers living in a dormitory in Singapore

Cited by 55 publications

References 6 publications

Healthcare-seeking behaviour, barriers and mental health of non-domestic migrant workers in Singapore

Healthcare-seeking behaviour, barriers and mental health of non-domestic migrant workers in Singapore

Are migrant workers in Singapore receiving adequate healthcare? A survey of doctors working in public tertiary healthcare institutions

Care seeking behaviour of Bangladeshi migrant workers in Sarawak, Malaysia

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