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Case Study of Tobacco Use among Myanmar Migrant Factory Workers in the Seafood Industry in Thailand

Author

Listed:
  • Naowarut Charoenca

    (Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
    Center of Excellence on Environmental Health and Toxicology, Bangkok 10400, Thailand)

  • Nan Khin Thet Chaw

    (International Rescue Committee (IRC), Mae Hong Son 58000, Thailand)

  • Nipapun Kungskulniti

    (Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
    Center of Excellence on Environmental Health and Toxicology, Bangkok 10400, Thailand)

  • Stephen L. Hamann

    (Tobacco Control Research and Knowledge Management Center, Bangkok 10400, Thailand)

Abstract

Migrant workers commonly face many health disparities when they relocate to a foreign work environment. Many workers migrating to Thailand are young unskilled workers from Myanmar. In this study, we examine factors associated with Myanmar migrant workers’ smoking status and characterized smoking-related knowledge, attitudes, and behavior in one seafood factory in Thailand. This descriptive study utilized person-to-person interviews among 300 Myanmar migrants in one seafood factory in Thailand, of which 94.3% were young males between 18 and 39 years of age. Results demonstrated that 90% were current daily smokers, over 90% smoked 30–60 times per month, and 95% spent less than 500 baht (US $16) per month on smoking. About 70% of current smokers had 6–10 friends who smoked, compared with 40% of non-smokers (chi-square, p -value ≤ 0.07). Among this sample of mainly male migrant workers, smoking is very common, in part driven through social contact, but levels of dependence appear relatively low. The results suggest potential intervention approaches to reduce high smoking prevalence among this population, such as targeting young males and addressing their concerns about negative attitudes by peers to tobacco use and the unhealthful exposures of women and children in their families and the larger community.

Suggested Citation

  • Naowarut Charoenca & Nan Khin Thet Chaw & Nipapun Kungskulniti & Stephen L. Hamann, 2021. "Case Study of Tobacco Use among Myanmar Migrant Factory Workers in the Seafood Industry in Thailand," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-10, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:16:p:8659-:d:615569
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Thin Nyein Nyein Aung & Yoshihisa Shirayama & Saiyud Moolphate & Thaworn Lorga & Motoyuki Yuasa & Myo Nyein Aung, 2020. "Acculturation and Its Effects on Health Risk Behaviors among Myanmar Migrant Workers: A Cross-Sectional Survey in Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-12, July.
    2. World Health Organization, 2019. "WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic 2019: Offer help to quit tobacco use," University of California at San Francisco, Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education qt1g16k8b9, Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education, UC San Francisco.
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