title: Perception of Occupational Risks and Practices of Self-protection from Infectious Diseases Among Workers in Contact with International Migrants at Hungary's Border.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the present study was to investigate employees' self-assessments of their occupational risks and health awareness as well as their perception of preventive methods. We also aimed to collect data on employees' perception of some selected alarming signs and symptoms that may encourage them to take further actions (such as separation and calling an ambulance).
  
  
  METHODS
  Between April and June 2013, an anonymous questionnaire survey was conducted with the participation of 70 employees working with migrants (both health-care and non-health-care staff) in 10 Hungarian settlements: 4 border crossing points along the eastern Schengen borderline, 3 asylum detention centers and 3 reception centers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our results demonstrated an increased perception of certain biological and mental health hazards at work among those working with migrants: 63.7% of the health-care workers and even 37.3% of the non-health-care staff come into contact with human secretions (feces, urine, saliva) "frequently" or "sometimes". Self-assessed awareness of the signs and symptoms of infectious diseases was poor: only 12.8% of participants evaluated their awareness as "good" or "very good". Threat of verbal violence may be considered a common mental risk at work for participants: 35% "sometimes" or "frequently" and 5% "always" face verbal violence during their work. The most commonly used preventive measures against infectious diseases included the use of gloves, masks and disinfectants; these were generally available to 70 to 80% of the workers and properly applied.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results indicate considerable deficiencies in the participants' preparedness in respect to their occupational health-related issues. Since it is essential for those having daily physical contact with migrants during their work to be properly informed about the occupational health hazards and consequences that may be associated with international migration, their training programs urgently require further development. More comprehensive knowledge may improve the preventive attitudes of employees, and conscious application of preventive measures may contribute to better public and occupation health safety.
authors: Department of Operational Medicine, Medical School, University of Pecs, Hungary.
authors: Istvan
authors: I
authors: Szilard
authors: Department of Operational Medicine, Medical School, University of Pecs, Hungary.
authors: Zoltan
authors: Z
authors: Katz
authors: Department of Public Health, Medical School, University of Pecs, Hungary.
authors: Karoly
authors: K
authors: Berenyi
authors: National University of Public Service, Hungary.
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Csepregi
authors: National University of Public Service, Hungary.
authors: Andras
authors: A
authors: Huszar
authors: Department of Community and Social Studies, Faculty of Humanities, University of Pecs, Hungary.
authors: Arpad
authors: A
authors: Barath
authors: Department of Operational Medicine, Medical School, University of Pecs, Hungary.
authors: Erika
authors: E
authors: Marek
keywords: health hazards; international migration; occupational health; questionnaire survey
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