The Migration Health Division dedicates this edition of the Migration Health Research Bulletin in honoring the work of Professor Chesmal Siriwardhana who tragically died in a fatal traffic accident in London in April 2017. An outstanding academic and psychiatrist with a vision for transformative research for policy impact in fields of migration health and global mental health, Professor Chesmal of the Centre for Global Mental Health at the London School of Tropical Medicine was committed to advancing the migration health research.

In this edition, three distinct research papers from IOM MHD missions globally are presented. The first one from MHD HQ and MAC look at the policy approaches to improve health systems for populations affected by migration; the second one from IOM Mission in Zambia examines the relationship between migrant-related stressors, psychosocial outcomes and HIV sexual risk behaviour among truck drivers in Zambia; and the third one from IOM Mission in Viet Nam focuses on how to improve support for malaria prevention among migrant and mobile workers in Binh Phuoc in Viet Nam.

In this edition, four distinct research papers and reports from IOM MHD missions globally are presented.

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to determine the prevalence of Alcohol Use Disorders (AUDs) among Myanmar male migrant workers (> 15 years) living in Mae Sot, Thailand, and their patterns of drinking.

Design/methodology/approach: A cross-sectional survey was administered to 512 participants to measure AUDs and drinking patterns. ANOVA and χ2 analyses were performed to assess demographic differences between abstainers, harmful and hazardous drinkers (HHDs) (those showing signs of AUDs) and non-harmful drinkers.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Since Nepali cross-border migrants can freely enter, work and stay in India, they are largely undocumented. The majority is involved in semi-skilled or unskilled jobs with limited labour rights and social security, a fact which predisposes them to psychological distress. We aimed to assess the prevalence of and factors associated with psychological morbidity among Nepali migrants upon their return from India.

The editorial piece tackles how anti-migrant rhetoric among politicians and media as well as the lack of or weak policy frameworks focusing on the healthcare access and coverage of labour migrants, internally displaced populations, and internal migrants contribute to the gaps in addressing the health needs of migrants and migrant populations. It notes that addressing these gaps remain to be a challenge among policymakers, practitioners, civil society, and researchers to ensure that migration and mobility are integrated in the health systems at the global, regional, and national levels.

Abstract

Latin America and the Caribbean has faced inconsistent human rights and health protection for migrants in the past, just as much as other regions. For example, in Chile, about 70% of immigrants come from other Latin America and the Caribbean countries (representing 2·7% of the total population of Chile), and a third of them are estimated to be undocumented or socioeconomically vulnerable. These migrants tend to work in informal jobs and to live in poor quality, overcrowded buildings.

Summary

Background: Trafficking is a crime of global proportions involving extreme forms of exploitation and abuse. Yet little research has been done of the health risks and morbidity patterns for men, women, and children trafficked for various forms of forced labour.