Hovell M F, Sipan C, Hofstetter C R, DuBois B C, Krefft A, Conway J, Jasis M, Isaacs H L
Division of Health Promotion San Diego State University, Graduate School of Public Health, CA 92182.
Int J Health Serv. 1988;18(4):617-27. doi: 10.2190/1GBV-09QV-VBPP-UBT9.
International reports of morbidity among female workers in Mexico's border zone have raised concern about the occupational health of female workers in maquiladora plants (foreign-owned border industries with special tariff benefits). Commentators have suggested that U.S. industries may be exploiting workers by transferring work to nations with less stringent health and safety regulation through the maquiladora program. Using data from a larger evaluation of the effectiveness of Project Concern and a specially developed questionnaire, this study investigated the extent to which female workers reported higher morbidity rates than women with other employment and women not employed outside the home in seven colonias (communities) in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. Results showed essentially no difference in many short-term self-reported symptoms of illness among maquiladora workers and two other groups. Women who worked exclusively in the home reported the greatest number of symptoms. These results suggest that additional primary care services may be needed for women who have primarily domestic responsibilities. Additional research is needed to assess the risks for long-latency morbidity.
墨西哥边境地区女工发病率的国际报告引发了人们对边境加工区（享受特殊关税优惠的外资边境产业）女工职业健康的担忧。评论员指出，美国企业可能通过边境加工计划将工作转移到健康与安全监管较宽松的国家，从而剥削工人。本研究利用对“关注项目”有效性进行更大规模评估所获得的数据以及一份专门设计的调查问卷，调查了墨西哥下加利福尼亚州蒂华纳市七个聚居区（社区）的女工报告的发病率高于从事其他工作的女性以及未外出工作女性的程度。结果显示，边境加工区工人与其他两组人在许多短期自我报告的疾病症状方面基本没有差异。主要在家工作的女性报告的症状数量最多。这些结果表明，可能需要为主要承担家庭责任的女性提供更多的初级保健服务。需要进行更多研究来评估长期发病的风险。
