COVID-19 pandemic unmasking cardiovascular risk factors and non-communicable diseases among migrant workers: a cross-sectional study in Singapore. Issue 5 (24th May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mattar, Shaikh Abdul Matin; Kan, Juliana Yin Li; Goh, Orlanda Qi Mei; Tan, Yuyang; Kumaran, Shalini Sri; Shum, Koin Lon; Lee, Guozhang; Balakrishnan, Tharmmambal; Zhu, Ling; Chong, Chiara Jiamin; Woong, Natalie Liling; Lam, Amanda Yun Rui; Kang, Mei Ling
• Is Part Of: BMJ open. Volume 12:Issue 5(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-05-24
• Subjects: COVID-19 -- Public health -- Epidemiology -- Lipid disorders -- Hypertension -- General diabetes; Medicine -- Research -- Periodicals; 610.72
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-055903
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2044-6055

Abstract

Abstract : Objectives: This study aims to report the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) and other non-communicable diseases among migrant workers in Singapore admitted for COVID-19 infection, to highlight disease burden and the need for changes in health screening and healthcare delivery in this unique population. Setting: The study was conducted in the largest tertiary hospital in Singapore. Design: Retrospective cross-sectional study. Participants: 883 migrant workers who had mild or asymptomatic COVID-19 infection admitted to three isolation wards between 6 April 2020 and 31 May 2020 were included in this study. Outcome measures: The outcome measures were the prevalence of pre-existing and newly diagnosed comorbid conditions and the prevalence of CVRFs—diabetes mellitus, hypertension and hyperlipidaemia—and non-communicable diseases at the time of discharge. The OR of having specific CVRFs depending on country of origin was generated via multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: The median age of our study population was 45 years. 17.0% had pre-existing conditions and 25.9% received new diagnoses. Of the new diagnoses, 15.7% were acute medical conditions and 84.3% chronic medical conditions. The prevalence of CVRFs was higher in Southeast Asian and South Asian migrant workers compared with Chinese. The prevalence of non-communicable diseases on discharge was highest among Southeast Asians (49.4%). Conclusions: The COVID-19 outbreak in a large number of migrant workers in Singapore unmasked a significant disease burden among them, increasing stakeholders' interests in their welfare. Moving forward, system-level changes are necessary to deliver healthcare sustainably and effect improvements in migrant workers' health.