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Health Profile of Construction Workers in Hong Kong

Author

Listed:
  • Wen Yi

    (Department of Building and Real Estate, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China)

  • Albert Chan

    (Department of Building and Real Estate, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China)

Abstract

Construction is a manual, heavy, and complex sector concerning the most fatal accidents and high incidence of occupational illnesses and injuries resulting in days away from work. In Hong Kong, “Pilot Medical Examination Scheme for Construction Workers” was launched in 2014 to detect the health problems of their construction workforce. All registered workers under the Construction Workers Registration Board are eligible to join the scheme. The purpose of this paper is to assess the physical condition, physiological status, and musculoskeletal disorders of 942 construction workers in Hong Kong. This study adopted a two-phase design, which includes a basic medical examination to measure the workers’ physiological parameters, such as blood pressure, resting heart rate, glucose, cholesterol, uric acid, liver function test, and renal function test; as well as a face-to-face interview following the medical examination to collect their demographic information and pain experience. Individual characteristics, including gender, age, obesity, alcohol drinking habit, and sleeping habit influenced the health condition of construction workers. Among the participants, 36.1% and 6.5% of them were overweight and obese, respectively. In addition, 43.0%, 38.4%, 16.2%, and 13.9% of the participants exceeded the thresholds of cholesterol, blood pressure, urea nitrogen, and uric urea, correspondingly. Moreover, 41.0% of the participants suffered musculoskeletal pain, where the most frequent painful parts occur in the lower back, shoulder, knees, leg, and neck. Through these findings, a series of important issues that need to be addressed is pointed out in terms of maintaining the physical well-being and reducing musculoskeletal disorders of construction workers. The finding may have implications for formulating proper intervention strategies for the sustainable development of Hong Kong’s construction industry.

Suggested Citation

  • Wen Yi & Albert Chan, 2016. "Health Profile of Construction Workers in Hong Kong," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-15, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:13:y:2016:i:12:p:1232-:d:85086
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Arcury, T.A. & O'Hara, H. & Grzywacz, J.G. & Isom, S. & Chen, H. & Quandt, S.A., 2012. "Work safety climate, musculoskeletal discomfort, working while injured, and depression among migrant farmworkers in North Carolina," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 102(S2), pages 272-278.
    2. Helen Lingard, 2013. "Occupational health and safety in the construction industry," Construction Management and Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 31(6), pages 505-514, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Joanne Wai-Yee Chung & Bonny Yee-Man Wong & Vincent Chun-Man Yan & Louisa Ming-Yan Chung & Henry Chi-Fuk So & Albert Chan, 2018. "Cardiovascular Health of Construction Workers in Hong Kong: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-20, June.
    2. Hui Liu & Jie Li & Hongyang Li & He Li & Peng Mao & Jingfeng Yuan, 2021. "Risk Perception and Coping Behavior of Construction Workers on Occupational Health Risks—A Case Study of Nanjing, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-25, July.
    3. Yu-Chi Lee & Xinye Hong & Siu Shing Man, 2023. "Prevalence and Associated Factors of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders Symptoms among Construction Workers: A Cross-Sectional Study in South China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-12, March.

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