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A Retrospective Study of Non-Communicable Diseases amongst Blue-Collar Migrant Workers in Qatar

Author

Listed:
  • Fatima Al-Hatimy

    (Anti-Doping Laboratory Qatar, Sports City Road, Doha P. O. Box 27775, Qatar
    Center of Metabolism and Inflammation, Division of Medicine, Royal Free Campus, University College London, Rowland Hill Road, London NW3 2PF, UK
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Abdulaziz Farooq

    (Anti-Doping Laboratory Qatar, Sports City Road, Doha P. O. Box 27775, Qatar
    Aspetar, Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence, Doha P. O. Box 29222, Qatar
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Mohamad Al Abiad

    (Qatar Red Crescent Society, Doha P. O. Box 5449, Qatar)

  • Shilpi Yerramsetti

    (Qatar Red Crescent Society, Doha P. O. Box 5449, Qatar)

  • Maryam Ali Al-Nesf

    (Center of Metabolism and Inflammation, Division of Medicine, Royal Free Campus, University College London, Rowland Hill Road, London NW3 2PF, UK
    Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha P. O. Box 3050, Qatar)

  • Chidambaram Manickam

    (Anti-Doping Laboratory Qatar, Sports City Road, Doha P. O. Box 27775, Qatar)

  • Mohammed H. Al-Thani

    (Ministry of Public Health, Doha P. O. Box 42, Qatar)

  • Al-Hareth Al-Khater

    (Qatar Red Crescent Society, Doha P. O. Box 5449, Qatar
    Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha P. O. Box 3050, Qatar)

  • Waseem Samsam

    (Anti-Doping Laboratory Qatar, Sports City Road, Doha P. O. Box 27775, Qatar)

  • Vidya Mohamed-Ali

    (Anti-Doping Laboratory Qatar, Sports City Road, Doha P. O. Box 27775, Qatar
    Center of Metabolism and Inflammation, Division of Medicine, Royal Free Campus, University College London, Rowland Hill Road, London NW3 2PF, UK)

  • Mohammed Al-Maadheed

    (Anti-Doping Laboratory Qatar, Sports City Road, Doha P. O. Box 27775, Qatar
    Center of Metabolism and Inflammation, Division of Medicine, Royal Free Campus, University College London, Rowland Hill Road, London NW3 2PF, UK)

Abstract

Background: South Asian workers have a greater predisposition to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) that is exacerbated by migration and length of residence in host countries. Aims: To examine the association between length of residence in Qatar with diagnosis of NCDs in male blue-collar workers. Methods: A retrospective investigation of the electronic health records (EHRs) of 119,581 clinical visits by 58,342 patients was conducted. Data included age, nationality and confirmed ICD-10 diagnosis. Based on duration of residence, the population was divided into groups: ≤6 months, 6–12 months, 1–≤2 years, 2–≤5 years, 5–≤6 years, >6 years. It was assumed that the group that had been resident in Qatar for ≤6 months represented diseases that had been acquired in their countries of origin. Results: South Asian (90%) patients presented with NCDs at a younger (mean ± SD age of 34.8 ± 9.0 years) age. Diabetes and hypertension were higher in those who had just arrived (<6 months’ group), compared to the other durations of residence groups. Conversely, acute respiratory infections, as well as dermatitis and eczema, all increased, perhaps a consequence of shared living/working facilities. Only patients with diabetes and hypertension visited the clinic multiple times, and the cost of medication for these NCDs was affordable, relative to earnings. Discussion/Conclusions: Blue-collar workers were predominantly South Asian, from lower socioeconomic classes, with early onset chronic NCDs. Notably, residence in Qatar gave them better access to affordable, significantly subsidized healthcare, leading to effective management of these chronic conditions.

Suggested Citation

  • Fatima Al-Hatimy & Abdulaziz Farooq & Mohamad Al Abiad & Shilpi Yerramsetti & Maryam Ali Al-Nesf & Chidambaram Manickam & Mohammed H. Al-Thani & Al-Hareth Al-Khater & Waseem Samsam & Vidya Mohamed-Ali, 2022. "A Retrospective Study of Non-Communicable Diseases amongst Blue-Collar Migrant Workers in Qatar," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-12, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:4:p:2266-:d:751334
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