Acculturation and Its Effects on Health Risk Behaviors among Myanmar Migrant Workers: A Cross-Sectional Survey in Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand

Thin Nyein Nyein Aung, Yoshihisa Shirayama, Saiyud Moolphate, Thaworn Lorga, Motoyuki Yuasa and Myo Nyein Aung
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Thin Nyein Nyein Aung: Department of Public Health, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
Yoshihisa Shirayama: Faculty of International Liberal Arts, Juntendo University, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
Saiyud Moolphate: Department of Public Health, Faculty of Science and Technology, Chiang Mai Rajabhat University, Chiang Mai 50300, Thailand
Thaworn Lorga: School of Nursing, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57000, Thailand
Motoyuki Yuasa: Department of Public Health, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
Myo Nyein Aung: Faculty of International Liberal Arts, Juntendo University, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 14, 1-12

Abstract: Thailand hosts many workers who have migrated from neighboring countries and is facing a large burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Health screening for migrant workers routinely emphasizes infectious diseases but overlooks NCDs. We surveyed prevalent health behaviors for NCDs and their influencing factors, particularly cultural adaptation patterns among Myanmar migrant workers in Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand. A total of 414 migrant workers consented to participate in the study. Lack of exercise (75.8%), current alcohol consumption (40.8%), current smoking (26.9%), and central obesity (24.3%) were major lifestyle problems. Being female and uneducated was associated with a lack of exercise. Current alcohol consumption was significantly associated with being male and being of Myanmar ethnicity, with an integrative strategy for acculturation, and with a higher income. Male participants and participants with a lower mean score of marginalization were more likely to smoke. Central obesity was associated with being older than 40 years, being female, engaging in an assimilation strategy, and being uneducated. These findings highlight the need for gender inclusive health promotion, the screening of NCD risk behaviors, and timely health education for migrant workers. It may assist authorities to devise strategies to extend health promotion and universal health coverage to the migrant population.

Keywords: acculturation; health risk behaviors; Myanmar migrant workers; non-communicable diseases; Thailand (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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