Prevalence and Risk Factors for Hypertension among Myanmar Migrant Workers in Thailand

Thin Nyein Nyein Aung, Yoshihisa Shirayama, Saiyud Moolphate, Thaworn Lorga, Warunyou Jamnongprasatporn, Motoyuki Yuasa and Myo Nyein Aung
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Thin Nyein Nyein Aung: Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Yoshihisa Shirayama: Department of Global Health Research, Graduate School of Medicine, 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 57100, Thailand
Warunyou Jamnongprasatporn: Provincial Health Office, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Motoyuki Yuasa: Department of Global Health Research, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
Myo Nyein Aung: Department of Global Health Research, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 6, 1-9

Abstract: Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are showing an increasing trend worldwide, and the COVID-19 pandemic may interrupt or delay NCD care, the leading cause of mortality in Thailand, which is hosting 2–3 million migrant workers. The transition of epidemiological risk factors, limited access to health-promoting activities, and pandemic containment measures may adversely impact NCD risks. Therefore, hypertension and associated risk factors were determined among registered Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand. Methods: A cross-sectional survey with structured questionnaires was conducted in Thailand in 2017. Having hypertension was analyzed as a dependent variable, and the associated risk factors were explored by binary logistic regression analysis. Results: A total of 414 participants with a mean age of 29.45 ± 9.03 years were included, and 27.8 percent of the study participants were hypertensive, which was a rate higher than that in their host country (24.7%) and country of origin (26.4%). An older age, being male, current alcohol drinking, and being overweight and obese with reference to the body mass index (BMI) were significantly associated with hypertension. Conclusions: Our findings reaffirmed the idea that NCDs are important public health concerns, and a simple BMI measurement would be a valuable tool with which to determine hypertension risks. Targeted surveillance and an appropriate health policy are necessary for such a vulnerable population in Thailand.

Keywords: body mass index; hypertension; 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: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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