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Assessment of health hazards and associated factors among the returned migrants living at Bati Woreda, Oromia Zone, Amhara National Regional State
Abstract
Background: Migration is a demographic event which serves as a coping mechanism of poverty alleviation in developing countries, including Ethiopia. The living condition of migrants in economically attractive countries, however, is having a devastating effect. The health risk of Ethiopian migrants to neighboring countries is not well documented.
Objective: This study aimed to assess hazards and associated factors among returned migrants living at Bati Woreda, Amhara National Regional State.
Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional survey with a sample size of 390 returnees was made in five kebeles of the woreda using a structured questionnaire in April 2011. Health hazard was defined as a health outcome that occurred during the process of migration involving travelling, staying in the destination, or getting back home. The quantitative data was entered and cleaned using Epi Info Version 3.5.1. Descriptive statistics was performed to present socio-demographic data. Multivariate logistics regression analysis using AOR with 95% CI was used to assess the relative importance of associated factors. The qualitative data was collected using focus group discussions and in-depth interviews using semi-structured question guide. Open Code Version 3.4 was used to select codes, categories and themes for the qualitative data using the thematic analysis.
Results: The overall magnitude of health hazards was 41%: diarrhea 31.6% and malaria 10.5% were the leading acute illnesses. After controlling the possible confounders in binary multivariate logistic regression, push factors related to age ≥35 years [AOR (95%CI) =3.48 (1.73,7.02)], the ability to read and write in educational status [AOR (95%CI) = 2.49 (1.17,5.30)], being jobless and a housewife [AOR (95%CI) = 2.17(1.29,3.64)] and AOR (95%CI) =5.28 (2.17,12.83)], respectively, and presence of better employment opportunities and living conditions as a pull factors [AOR (95%CI) = 8.61(3.16,23.47) and [AOR (95%CI) = 6.35 (1.89,21.36)], respectively, were determinants of health hazards.
Conclusion: Migrants were highly exposed to health hazards because of the illegal routes of the movement. Socio-economic variables with respect to age, education and unemployment were predictors of the migration phenomenon. Providing safety protection from potential health hazards before leaving the country, proper social and psychological rehabilitation of returnees is recommended.
Objective: This study aimed to assess hazards and associated factors among returned migrants living at Bati Woreda, Amhara National Regional State.
Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional survey with a sample size of 390 returnees was made in five kebeles of the woreda using a structured questionnaire in April 2011. Health hazard was defined as a health outcome that occurred during the process of migration involving travelling, staying in the destination, or getting back home. The quantitative data was entered and cleaned using Epi Info Version 3.5.1. Descriptive statistics was performed to present socio-demographic data. Multivariate logistics regression analysis using AOR with 95% CI was used to assess the relative importance of associated factors. The qualitative data was collected using focus group discussions and in-depth interviews using semi-structured question guide. Open Code Version 3.4 was used to select codes, categories and themes for the qualitative data using the thematic analysis.
Results: The overall magnitude of health hazards was 41%: diarrhea 31.6% and malaria 10.5% were the leading acute illnesses. After controlling the possible confounders in binary multivariate logistic regression, push factors related to age ≥35 years [AOR (95%CI) =3.48 (1.73,7.02)], the ability to read and write in educational status [AOR (95%CI) = 2.49 (1.17,5.30)], being jobless and a housewife [AOR (95%CI) = 2.17(1.29,3.64)] and AOR (95%CI) =5.28 (2.17,12.83)], respectively, and presence of better employment opportunities and living conditions as a pull factors [AOR (95%CI) = 8.61(3.16,23.47) and [AOR (95%CI) = 6.35 (1.89,21.36)], respectively, were determinants of health hazards.
Conclusion: Migrants were highly exposed to health hazards because of the illegal routes of the movement. Socio-economic variables with respect to age, education and unemployment were predictors of the migration phenomenon. Providing safety protection from potential health hazards before leaving the country, proper social and psychological rehabilitation of returnees is recommended.
