1Master of Public Health,
2Master of Public Health,
*Corresponding author: Mayuri Banerjee, Master of Public Health in Environment and Occupational Health, Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka, India, Address: Vinsent Convent, Ishwar Nagar, Manipal, Karnataka, E-mail: banerjeemayuri7@gmail.com
A construction worker directly participates in the physical construction and builds up nation's infrastructure. They are exposed to various occupational and environmental hazards, thus, compromising the health status of the workers. They handle various chemicals and products causing sensitization and irritation leading to various dermatological problems. Hence, there is need to provide proper healthcare coverage and facilities for the migratory construction workers.
To investigate on health care resource utilization, out pocket expenditure and to estimate the prevalence of skin morbidity among migratory construction workers.
Mixed method of study design was used with qualitative and quantitative perspective. Migratory male workers living in labour shed area and migratory settlements participated in the study, with work experience for minimum 3 months and age above 18 years were interviewed by using standard modified questionnaire and dermatological morbidity which was confirmed by physician. Total 175 migratory workers were interviewed for qualitative study and 25 workers participated in qualitative aspect of study were focused group discussion was conducted. Sampling techniques used were purposive sampling and focused group discussion.
Total 200 male migrating construction workers participated in study, average age of the workers was 28 years and average monthly income of these workers was 7000 Rupees. Most of them were farmers in their native states and majority of them were unskilled and semiskilled. Prevalence of skin morbidity was 38.9%. None of them had health insurance, health care service utilization was low; out pocket expenditure on health was approximately 1000–1200 Rupees in three months. Workers were concern about lack of savings, no insurance coverage and lack of social security schemes.
Male Migrant Workers, Health Care Resource Utilization, out Pocket Expenditure and Skin Morbidity
