Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences
Volume 27, Issue 3, 2018, Pages 256-265

Common mental health problems in rural-to-urban migrant workers in Shenzhen, China: Prevalence and risk factors (Article)

Zhong B.L. , Liu T.B. , Chan S.S.M. , Jin D. , Hu C.Y. , Dai J. , Chiu H.F.K.*
  • a Department of Psychiatry, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Multicentre, Tai Po Hospital, Tai Po, N.T., Hong Kong, Affiliated Mental Health Center, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
  • b Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Psychological Healthcare, Shenzhen Institute of Mental Health, Shenzhen Kangning Hospital, Shenzhen Mental Health Center, Shenzhen, China
  • c Department of Psychiatry, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Multicentre, Tai Po Hospital, Tai Po, N.T., Hong Kong
  • d Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Psychological Healthcare, Shenzhen Institute of Mental Health, Shenzhen Kangning Hospital, Shenzhen Mental Health Center, Shenzhen, China
  • e Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Psychological Healthcare, Shenzhen Institute of Mental Health, Shenzhen Kangning Hospital, Shenzhen Mental Health Center, Shenzhen, China
  • f Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Psychological Healthcare, Shenzhen Institute of Mental Health, Shenzhen Kangning Hospital, Shenzhen Mental Health Center, Shenzhen, China
  • g Department of Psychiatry, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Multicentre, Tai Po Hospital, Tai Po, N.T., Hong Kong

Abstract

Aims. Rural-to-urban migrant workers are a large marginalised population in urban China. Prevalence estimates of common mental health problems (CMHPs) in previous studies varied widely and very few studies have investigated migration-related factors of CMHPs in migrant workers. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of CMHPs among Chinese migrant workers.Methods. A random sample of 3031 migrant workers of ten manufacturing factories in Shenzhen, China, completed a standardised questionnaire containing socio-demographic and migration-related variables and the Chinese 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). A GHQ-12 score of three or higher was used to denote the presence of CMHPs.Results. The prevalence of CMHPs was 34.4% in Chinese migrant workers. In multiple logistic regression, risk factors for CMHPs included being 16-25 years old (odd ratio [OR] 1.65, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.28, 2.12), being 26-35 years old (OR 1.36, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.75), low monthly income (OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.04, 1.92), poor living condition (OR: 1.76, 95% CI: 1.22, 2.54), physical illness in the past 2 weeks (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.43, 2.05), having worked in many cities (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.03, 1.74), infrequently visiting hometown (OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.22, 1.99), poor Mandarin proficiency (OR 1.51, 95%CI 1.13, 2.01), a low level of perceived benefits of migration (OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.14, 1.55) and working more than 8 h/day (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.14, 1.70).Conclusions. CMHPs are very prevalent among Chinese migrant workers. Given the large number of Chinese migrant workers, there is an urgent need to address the mental health burden of China's migrant worker population. Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2017.

Author Keywords

China rural-to-urban migrant worker common mental health problem Epidemiology

Index Keywords

urban population China Chinese lowest income group demography Population Dynamics mental health human risk assessment middle aged Asian continental ancestry group statistics and numerical data rural population controlled study ethnology social care Chinese 12 item General Health Questionnaire standardization physical disease Mental Disorders common mental health problem manufacturing industry mental disease Surveys and Questionnaires Young Adult migrant worker social status cross-sectional study psychology Humans Adolescent male female Socioeconomic Factors risk factor Risk Factors socioeconomics questionnaire prevalence scoring system work schedule Article major clinical study adult migration community living Transients and Migrants
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85008656589&doi=10.1017%2fS2045796016001141&partnerID=40&md5=8a624883a59e2bff6d8e2427dca58048
DOI: 10.1017/S2045796016001141
ISSN: 20457960
Cited by: 15
Original Language: English