背景:移民是指从通常居住地迁往不同国家的个人。日本的移民人口,特别是技术实习生和学生,一直在增长。甚至在大流行之前,先前的研究强调了移民在利用医疗保健服务方面面临的困难。这项研究检查了COVID-19疫苗的摄取,测试,以及在日本的缅甸移民的医疗服务;确定了与这种吸收有关的因素;并描述了利用这些服务时遇到的困难。
方法:在2023年3月至4月期间,针对居住在日本超过6个月的18岁以上的缅甸移民进行了横断面研究。缅甸语的在线自我管理问卷涵盖了社会经济特征;COVID-19疫苗接种史,测试,和医疗保健;以及在使用这些服务时遇到的困难以及多项选择题。分别进行多因素logistic回归分析,以确定与COVID-19疫苗接种相关的因素,测试,和医疗保健。
结果:在207名参与者中,52%(n=108)在30岁以下,30%(n=62)为男性,31%(n=65)是低技能工人(技术实习生和学生)。总的来说,91%(n=189)接受了COVID-19疫苗接种,76%(n=157)的COVID-19检测结果为阳性,43%(n=68)的COVID-19检测结果为阳性。然而,只有77%(n=52)的COVID-19患者寻求医疗护理。与30岁及以上的参与者相比,30岁以下的参与者接种COVID-19疫苗的可能性较小(调整后比值比[aOR]0.10,95%置信区间[CI]0.01-0.88,p=0.038)。与其他类别的居住状态相比,低技能工人寻求医疗服务的可能性较小(aOR0.12,95%CI0.02-0.79,p=0.027)。在服务用户中,5%的人在接种COVID-19疫苗时遇到困难,10%的测试,17%的人接受医疗护理。等待时间长和预订过程复杂是遇到的主要困难。
结论:COVID-19疫苗接种的吸收,测试,这个样本中的医疗护理相当好。然而,30岁以下的个体接种疫苗的摄入量较低,而低技能工人对医疗保健的接受程度较低。加强对年轻移民和低技能工人的关于COVID-19和其他传染病的教育和支持至关重要,尤其是在工作场所和教育机构。
BACKGROUND: Migrants are individuals who move to a different country from their usual place of residence. Japan\'s migrant population, particularly technical interns and students, has been growing. Even before the pandemic, previous studies have highlighted difficulties faced by
migrants in utilizing healthcare services. This study examined the uptake of COVID-19 vaccination, testing, and medical care among Myanmar
migrants in Japan; identified the factors associated with this uptake; and described the difficulties encountered when utilizing these services.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted between March and April 2023 targeting Myanmar
migrants over 18 years residing in Japan for more than 6 months. An online self-administered questionnaire in Myanmar language covered socioeconomic characteristics; history of COVID-19 vaccination, testing, and medical care; and difficulties encountered while utilizing these services with multiple-choice questions. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed separately to identify the factors associated with the uptake of COVID-19 vaccination, testing, and medical care.
RESULTS: Among the 207 participants, 52% (n = 108) were under 30 years, 30% (n = 62) were male, and 31% (n = 65) were low-skilled workers (technical interns and students). Overall, 91% (n = 189) had received the COVID-19 vaccination, 76% (n = 157) had been tested for COVID-19, and 43% (n = 68) tested positive. However, only 77% (n = 52) of COVID-19 patients sought medical care. Participants under 30 years of age were less likely to receive the COVID-19 vaccine compared to those aged 30 and older (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.10, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.01-0.88, p = 0.038). Low-skilled workers were less likely to seek medical care compared to those holding other categories of residential status (aOR 0.12, 95% CI 0.02-0.79, p = 0.027). Among service users, 5% faced difficulties with COVID-19 vaccination, 10% with testing, and 17% with receiving medical care. Long waiting times and complex reservation processes were the main difficulties encountered.
CONCLUSIONS: The uptake of COVID-19 vaccination, testing, and medical care in this sample was reasonably good. However, individuals under 30 years of age showed lower uptake of vaccination, while low-skilled workers had lower uptake of medical care. Strengthening education and support for young
migrants and low-skilled workers regarding COVID-19 and other infectious diseases is essential, especially in workplaces and educational institutions.