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. 2020 Dec 1;10(12):e040143.
doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-040143.

Association between occupational health and safety knowledge and behaviours among migrant workers: results from a cross-sectional study in China

Ruwei Hu #  1 , Nan Hu #  2   3   4 , Ruqing Liu #  5 , Leiyu Shi  6 , Jingrong Shi  7 , Li Ling  8
Affiliations

Association between occupational health and safety knowledge and behaviours among migrant workers: results from a cross-sectional study in China

Ruwei Hu et al. BMJ Open. .

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the relationship between occupational health and safety (OH&S)-related behaviours of migrating workers in China and their knowledge regarding OH&S laws and regulations (L&Rs).

Materials and methods: We sampled 1282 migrant workers from 12 labour-intensive manufacturers in Guangdong, China, with a response rate of 98.6%. Self-reported questionnaires were completed by the participants. Logistic regression models were used to examine the association between OH&S-related behaviours and knowledge among migrant workers adjusting for their demographic features and the survey sites.

Results: Migrant workers' behaviour of seeking occupational disease (OD) diagnosis and treatment was found to be statistically significantly correlated with their knowledge of all three OH&S L&Rs. A higher score of knowledge regarding these OH&S L&Rs is associated with a better chance to seek OD diagnosis and treatment. The ORs of the high-score group (subjects correctly answered more than one question) versus the low-score group (subjects correctly answered less than or equal to one question) are 2.02 (95% CI: 1.33 to 3.07) for Law of Occupational Disease Prevention and Treatment, 2.89 (95% CI: 1.65 to 5.09) for Regulations on Safe Management of Dangerous Chemicals and Regulations on Labor Protection for Using Toxic Substances in Workplace and 2.25 (95% CI: 1.34 to 3.77) for Work-Related Injury Insurance Regulations. However, knowledge about these L&Rs is not statistically significantly associated with OH&S-related protective behaviours such as wearing a mask or gloves at work.

Conclusions: Knowledge of OH&S L&Rs helps migrant workers in China to seek OD diagnosis and treatment.

Keywords: education & training (see medical education & training); epidemiology; health & safety; public health.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: Author Jingrong Shi was employed by the company Guangzhou Tianpeng Technology Co.,Ltd. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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