Migrant Workers in Malaysia: Current Implications of Sociodemographic and Environmental Characteristics in the Transmission of Intestinal Parasitic Infections.
A cross-sectional study of intestinal parasitic infections amongst migrant workers in Malaysia was conducted. A total of 388 workers were recruited from five sectors including manufacturing, construction, plantation, domestic and food services. The majority were recruited from Indonesia (n = 167, 43.3%), followed by Nepal (n = 81, 20.9%), Bangladesh (n = 70, 18%), India (n = 47, 12.1%) and Myanmar (n = 23, 5.9.2%). A total of four nematode species (Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Enterobius vermicularis and hookworms), one cestode (Hymenolepis nana) and three protozoan species (Entamoeba histolytica/dispar, Giardia sp. and Cryptosporidium spp.) were identified. High prevalence of infections with A. lumbricoides (43.3%) was recorded followed by hookworms (13.1%), E. histolytica/dispar (11.6%), Giardia sp. (10.8%), T. trichura (9.5%), Cryptosporodium spp. (3.1%), H. nana (1.8%) and E. vermicularis (0.5%). Infections were significantly influenced by socio-demographic (nationality), and environmental characteristics (length of working years in the country, employment sector and educational level). Up to 84.0% of migrant workers from Nepal and 83.0% from India were infected with intestinal parasites, with the ascarid nematode A. lumbricoides occurring in 72.8% of the Nepalese and 68.1% of the Indian population. In addition, workers with an employment history of less than a year or newly arrived in Malaysia were most likely to show high levels of infection as prevalence of workers infected with A. lumbricoides was reduced from 58.2% to 35.4% following a year's residence. These findings suggest that improvement is warranted in public health and should include mandatory medical screening upon entry into the country.
Institute of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Norhidayu
N
Sahimin
Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Yvonne A L
YA
Lim
Primary Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University Teknologi Mara Sungai Buloh Campus, Selangor, Malaysia.
Farnaza
F
Ariffin
School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, United Kingdom.
Jerzy M
JM
Behnke
School of Biological Sciences, University of London, Egham, Surrey, United Kingdom.
John W
JW
Lewis
Institute of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Siti Nursheena
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6716-1712
SN
Mohd Zain
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001459:Bangladesh; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D006376:Helminths / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D007214:Indonesia; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000635:transmission*; D008296:Malaysia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D002052:Myanmar; D009348:Nematoda / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D010271:Parasites / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014171:Transients and Migrants / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult