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What is the Impact of Risk Factors on Communicable Diseases among Migrant Workers in the Gulf Cooperation Council: a
Anis Ben Brik1, Hamad Eid Al-Romaihi2, Maha Al-Shamali2
1College of Public Policy, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar. abrik@hbku.edu.qa.
Background:
The Gulf Cooperation Council region hosts large numbers of migrant workers, which has important implications for public health. Studies have documented varied disease risks among these populations. This paper examines risk factors for communicable diseases among migrant workers in this region. It darws on a social-ecological model to explore the interplay of individual, social, environmental, and structural factors. The paper also outlines policy areas where action may strengthen public health outcomes.
Methods:
This study conducted a systematic review following PRISMA guidelines. We searched PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, and Global Health. We identified 113 records through database searches, screened 72 unique records after duplicate removal, and assessed 24 at full-text for eligibility. Extracted data were managed using standardized Excel-based forms, cross-checked for accuracy, and synthesised narratively by grouping studies according to disease type and risk-factor domains following established guidance. We applied co-occurrence analysis of risk factors across studies. Data synthesis used a narrative approach to compare findings across heterogeneous study designs, focusing on recurring patterns in reported.
Results:
Co-occurrence analysis using Pearson correlations, Jaccard coefficients, and phi coefficients (bootstrap 95% CIs) showed susbtantial convergent validity. Healthcare access and language barriers each appeared frequently alongside labour camps. Crowded conditions were often linked with low awareness. Migration from endemic countries showed little overlap with occupational exposure.
Conclusions:
Communicable disease risks among migrant workers in the GCC arise from multiple, interacting factors. Healthcare access barriers and labour camp housing repeatedly emerged among the most prominent co-occurring risk factors. Communicable disease risks among migrant workers in the GCC largely reflect structural conditions, particularly housing, healthcare access, and legal and occupational vulnerabilities, highlighting the need for coordinated regional policies that strengthen surveillance, improve living conditions, and expand equitable access to care.
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