Association of mental health with living and working conditions among Nepali migrant workers in destination countries

Abstract

Background

Depression, anxiety, and stress are widespread mental health conditions globally. Migrant workers, in particular, are vulnerable to experiencing these mental health challenges, including Nepali migrant workers. There have been limited studies on adverse living and working conditions prevalent in their circumstances and development of these mental illnesses among this population. The study aims to assess association between mental health and living and working conditions among Nepali migrant workers which, otherwise, has not been explored or examined.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study with 334 Nepali migrant workers employed in Korea, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, and Qatar using convenience sampling. We collected the data using two approaches; an online self-administered questionnaire for migrant workers living in their respective countries of employment and interview with migrant returnees at Tribhuvan International Airport in Nepal. We fitted three hierarchical multivariate logistic regression models and gsem models to explore potential association between depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms, stress symptoms and living and working conditions, respectively.

Result

Depression, anxiety and stress is highly prevalent among Nepali migrant workers working in Korea, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Qatar. About 20 %, 20 % and 15 % of the study participants had symptoms of depression, anxiety symptoms and stress symptoms, respectively. About 49 % and 36 % of study participants had poor working conditions and poor living conditions, respectively. The analyses showed that there are associations of depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms and stress symptoms with living and working conditions, respectively. The odds of having depression symptoms (aOR: 2.76, 95 % CI: 1.27-6.01, p value=0.010), anxiety symptoms (aOR: 3.93, 95 % CI: 1.71-8.98, p value=0.001), and stress symptoms (aOR: 4.81, 95 % CI: 1.80-12.82, p value=0.002) was higher among study participants with poor living conditions compared to good living conditions.

Meanwhile, the odds of having depression symptoms (aOR: 4.03, 95 % CI: 1.83-8.90, p value=0.001), anxiety symptoms (aOR: 2.33, (95 % CI: 1.10-4.92, p value=0.026), and stress symptoms (aOR: 3.18, 1.30-7.75, p value=0.011) was higher among study participants with poor working conditions compared to good working conditions.

Conclusion

The high prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress among Nepali migrant workers due to poor conditions necessitates action. Pre-departure mental health programs are crucial, and both origin and destination governments must ensure safe and dignified conditions for these workers. Implementing these measures can alleviate mental health challenges and enhance their well-being.