European Journal of Public Health
Volume 26, Issue 6, 2016, Pages 1039-1044

Associations between poor living conditions and multi-morbidity among Syrian migrant agricultural workers in Lebanon (Article) (Open Access)

Habib R.R.* , Mikati D. , Hojeij S. , El Asmar K. , Chaaya M. , Zurayk R.
  • a Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
  • b Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
  • c Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
  • d Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
  • e Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
  • f Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon

Abstract

Background: Syrian migrant farmworkers are among the most marginalized populations in Lebanon, living in poverty, lacking basic legal protections and frequent targets of discrimination. These realities produce living conditions that undermine their basic health and wellbeing. This study explores associations between household living conditions and acute and chronic health problems among Syrian migrant agricultural workers in the Bekaa region of Lebanon. Methods: A survey was carried out in summer of 2011 with a sample of 290 migrant agriculture workers and members of their household living in a migrant farmworker camp. The survey assessed participants living conditions, assets and health conditions. Regression analyses were carried out to examine associations between multi-morbidity and quality of household and neighborhood living conditions. Results: The mean age for the population was 20 years. Forty-seven percent of participants reported health problems. Almost 20% reported either one acute or chronic illness, 15% reported two health problems and 13% reported three or more. The analysis showed a significant positive association between multi-morbidity and poor housing and infrastructure conditions among study participants. Conclusion: The situation for migrant communities in Lebanon has likely further deteriorated since the study was conducted, as hundreds of thousands of new migrants have entered Lebanon since the outbreak of the Syrian armed conflict in 2011. These findings should inspire multi-faceted community development initiatives that provide basic minimums of neighborhood infrastructure and housing quality for Syrian migrant informal settlements across Lebanon, safeguarding the health and wellbeing of community residents. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Public Health Association.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

demography poverty health disparity Health Status Disparities Syrian Arab Republic human epidemiology middle aged statistics and numerical data Agriculture Aged housing ethnology Residence Characteristics Cross-Sectional Studies Young Adult Lebanon cross-sectional study Humans Adolescent male preschool child Aged, 80 and over Infant very elderly Child, Preschool female adult migration Syria Transients and Migrants Child

Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85015338646&doi=10.1093%2feurpub%2fckw096&partnerID=40&md5=4ffbb81b9124d1e9a8872e5ff31cb61b

DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckw096
ISSN: 11011262
Cited by: 6
Original Language: English