Lai K K Y, Qiu H, Wong E L Y
The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Centre for Health Systems and Policy Research, The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Hong Kong Med J. 2025 Apr;31(2):130-138. doi: 10.12809/hkmj2411475. Epub 2025 Apr 9.
The impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has rendered migrant workers a vulnerable population susceptible to psychological distress. This cross-sectional study aimed to estimate the prevalence of anxiety and examine associations of perceived social support and working conditions with anxiety among Filipina domestic workers (FDWs) after the peak of the Omicron wave in Hong Kong.
In total, 370 female FDWs were recruited through convenience sampling in Central, Hong Kong, during holiday gatherings from June to August 2022; social normalcy had begun to return during this period after the peak of the Omicron pandemic. Anxiety levels were assessed using the Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scale. Perceived social support and working conditions were measured using validated instruments. Socio-demographic characteristics and health-related information were recorded for consideration as covariates.
The estimated prevalence of anxiety (GAD-7 score ≥10) was 8.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]=5.8%-11.5%). Multivariable logistic regression demonstrated that greater satisfaction with compensation and salary (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=0.825, 95% CI=0.728-0.935), increased free time and rest periods (aOR=0.878, 95% CI=0.780-0.987), and higher satisfaction with value orientation (aOR=0.887, 95% CI=0.796-0.989) were associated with lower anxiety risk.
Migrant workers constitute a vital workforce but are often neglected in preventive care. Based on these findings, preventive measures such as labour protection, compensation for overtime work, adequate rest periods, and improved working conditions are crucial in mitigating anxiety. This study highlights key areas for policy refinement and governmental support to enhance migrant workers' well-being.
2019年冠状病毒病疫情的影响使农民工成为易受心理困扰的弱势群体。这项横断面研究旨在估计焦虑症的患病率，并探讨在香港奥密克戎毒株浪潮高峰期过后，菲律宾家政工人（FDWs）中感知到的社会支持和工作条件与焦虑之间的关联。
2022年6月至8月假期期间，在香港中环通过便利抽样共招募了370名女性菲律宾家政工人；在此期间，奥密克戎疫情高峰期过后社会正常状态已开始恢复。使用广泛性焦虑障碍-7（GAD-7）量表评估焦虑水平。使用经过验证的工具测量感知到的社会支持和工作条件。记录社会人口学特征和健康相关信息作为协变量。
焦虑症（GAD-7评分≥10）的估计患病率为8.6%（95%置信区间[CI]=5.8%-11.5%）。多变量逻辑回归表明，对薪酬和工资的满意度更高（调整优势比[aOR]=0.825，95%CI=0.728-0.935）、自由时间和休息时间增加（aOR=0.878，95%CI=0.780-0.987）以及对价值取向的满意度更高（aOR=0.887，95%CI=0.796-0.989）与较低的焦虑风险相关。
农民工是重要的劳动力群体，但在预防保健中常常被忽视。基于这些发现，劳动保护、加班补偿、充足的休息时间和改善工作条件等预防措施对于减轻焦虑至关重要。本研究突出了政策完善和政府支持以提高农民工福祉的关键领域。
