Safety and Health at Work

Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (산업안전보건연구원)
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Occupational Characteristics and Health Status of Vietnamese Male Migrant Workers in the Republic of Korea

  • Ohwi Kwon (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea) ;
  • Ji-Hun Song (Gong-gam Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Hyangnam Gong-gam Clinic) ;
  • Jeong-Ok Kong (Gyeonggi-dongbu Workers Health Center) ;
  • Seong-Won Ma (Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency) ;
  • Young Shin Lee (Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency) ;
  • Joonho Ahn (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine)
  • Received : 2023.04.19
  • Accepted : 2023.08.01
  • Published : 2023.09.30
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Abstract

Background: The 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. Methods: We 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. Results: Vietnamese 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). Conclusion: Our 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.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

We are grateful to WON OK KUM and NA HA NEUL from the 'Dong hanh' (meaning 'Companion') migrant people center for their assistance in helping us to approach the Vietnamese migrant workers. This study was conducted with the support of the research group meeting of the Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

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