COVID-19 stressors on migrant workers in Kuwait: cumulative risk considerations. BMJ Glob Health 2020 Jul;5(7)
Date
07/10/2020Pubmed ID
32641292Pubmed Central ID
PMC7348320DOI
10.1136/bmjgh-2020-002995Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85088422832 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 52 CitationsAbstract
As a marginalised subpopulation, migrant workers often fall short from protection by public policies, they take precarious jobs with unsafe working and living conditions and they grapple with cultural and linguistic barriers. In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic, migrant workers are now exposed to additional stressors of the virus and related responses. We applied a comprehensive qualitative cumulative risk assessment framework for migrant workers living in Kuwait. This pandemic could be one of the few examples where the stressors overlap all domains of migrant workers' lives. No single intervention can solve all the problems; there must be a set of interventions to address all domains. Local authorities and employers must act quickly to stop the spread, ensure easy access to testing and treatment, provide adequate housing and clear communication, encourage wide social support, safeguard financial protection and mental well-being and continuously re-evaluate the situation as more data are collected.
Author List
Alahmad B, Kurdi H, Colonna K, Gasana J, Agnew J, Fox MAAuthor
Janvier Gasana MD, MPH, PhD Adjunct Associate Professor in the Institute for Health and Equity department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdultCoronavirus Infections
Disease Outbreaks
Female
Health Behavior
Humans
Kuwait
Male
Occupational Health
Occupations
Pandemics
Pneumonia, Viral
Qualitative Research
Risk Assessment
Risk Factors
Transients and Migrants
