Health problems of Nepalese migrants working in three Gulf countries

Background Nepal is one of the largest suppliers of labour to countries where there is a demand for cheap and low skilled workers. In the recent years the Gulf countries have collectively become the main destinations for international migration. This paper aims to explore the health problems and accidents experienced by a sample of Nepalese migrant in three Gulf countries. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 408 Nepalese migrants who had at least one period of work experience of at least six months in any of three Gulf countries: Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates (UAE). Face to face questionnaire interviews were conducted applying a convenience technique to select the study participants. Results Nepalese migrants in these Gulf countries were generally young men between 26-35 years of age. Unskilled construction jobs including labourer, scaffolder, plumber and carpenter were the most common jobs. Health problems were widespread and one quarter of study participants reported experiencing injuries or accidents at work within the last 12 months. The rates of health problems and accidents reported were very similar in the three countries. Only one third of the respondents were provided with insurance for health services by their employer. Lack of leave for illness, cost and fear of losing their job were the barriers to accessing health care services. The study found that construction and agricultural workers were more likely to experience accidents at their workplace and health problems than other workers. Conclusion The findings suggest important messages for the migration policy makers in Nepal. There is a lack of adequate information for the migrants making them aware of their health risks and rights in relation to health services in the destination countries and we suggest that the government of Nepal should be responsible for providing this information. Employers should provide orientation on possible health risks and appropriate training for preventive measures and all necessary access to health care services to all their workers

Helicobacter pylori profile in asymptomatic farmers and non-farmers

There is a positive correlation between Helicobacter pylori infection and chronic active gastritis, peptic ulcer and gastric cancer and maltoma. There is little information on H. pylori profiles in farmers and non-farmers in the literature. Our main objective was to study the H. pylori profiles in farmers and non-formers in the United Arab Emirates. A prospective study of 151 subjects -76 farmers and 75 nonfarmers-was undertaken by determining their IgG and IgA H. pylori antibody profiles in their serum samples. Data on lifestyle were obtained from them. Eligible subjects were those who had engaged in farming for at least five years and who had not received an anti-H. pylori treatment during the six months prior to admission into the study. Most of the farmers lived in less modern accommodation, were less educated, ate their vegetable products unwashed, did not have drinking water facilities, when compared to non-farmers. Helicobacter pylori serology by IgG and IgA was positive in 112 and 77 subjects respectively (p < 0.0001). The sensitivity values for IgG and IgA serology tests were 74.2 and 51.0% respectively (p < 0.001). There were 59 and 42 H. pylori-positive farmers by IgG and IgA H. pylori serology tests respectively (p < 0.001). Among the non-farmers, the corresponding figures were 53 and 25 (p < 0.01), and neither IgG nor IgA (p = 0.4), respectively. The H. pylori serology test was able to differentiate between farmers and non-farmers. When the discordant values between IgG and IgA tests were computed for each group of subjects, the difference was significant for both farmers and nonfarmers (p < 0.001 in each case). There was no difference between the farmers and non-farmers in respect of their H. pylori profiles. The farmers have a lower standard of living than non-farmers