Korean J Aerosp Environ Med.  2004 Jun;14(2):70-75.

Health Status of Undocumented Migrant Workers in Gyeonggi Province

• Kim Y
• Kim H
• Han S
• Lee SJ
• Song J

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The number of migrant workers, especially undocumented, has been increasing in Korea since late 1997. This study was conducted to evaluate the health status of those in Korea. METHODS: In June to November 2000, general health examinations and medical check-up were provided freely to undocumented migrant workers in Gyeonggi province. Total 580 migrant workers participated in this examination.
RESULTS
1. The number of examinee with abnormal results was 176 (30.3%), and hypertension (29.2%), abnormal liver function (13.4%) and abnormal chest X-ray finding (4.3%). 2. The prevalence rate of symptom is 77.2% and the most common symptom was back pain, followed by epigastric pain and joint pain. 3. The frequency of clinical diagnosis classified by physician was most common in hypertension (29.2%), followed by low back sprain/strain (7.4%), gastritis or peptic ulcer (7.4%), myofascial pain syndrome (6.4%). 4. The frequency of abnormal results in undocumented migrant workers was, compared with documented migrant industrial trainees significantly higher in HIV-Ab (+), hypertension and anemia, and compared with domestic workers, higher in hypertension, anemia and pulmonary disease.
CONCLUSIONS
This study suggested that when compared with domestic workers, the number of undocumented migrant workers with abnormal results was not significantly higher, except for hypertension, anemia and pulmonary disease. But measures for infectious disease (including AIDS) transmission and development of work-related or chronic diseases by poor working condition and increased length of stay must be considered, including health management system such as periodical health examination.

Keyword

Undocumented migrant worker; Health status

MeSH Terms

Anemia
Arthralgia
Back Pain
Chronic Disease
Communicable Diseases
Diagnosis
Gastritis
Gyeonggi-do*
Humans
Hypertension
Korea
Length of Stay
Liver
Lung Diseases
Myofascial Pain Syndromes
Peptic Ulcer
Prevalence
Thorax
Transients and Migrants*