Health of international migrant workers in Thailand: An extensive literature review

Burmese, Cambodian and Laotian are major migrant workers in Thailand, more than half did not legally registered. Health and health care provision is a major problem but there is no specific policy direction. This review aimed to describe health status of these workers.
An electronic search of studies in Thai and English in 15 years had been conducted to identify reports/publications related to health of these migrant workers. More than 30 studies had been reviewed.
These workers firstly suffered with infectious diseases related to housing and sanitation. Secondly, they had problems of severe infectious diseases i.e. malaria, TB and HIV/AIDS. Compliance to treatment was low due to their illegal status, language problems and difficulties in traveling. Recently, accident and workplace injuries were increased for men while illness and death related to pregnancies were suffered by women. Self treatment was their first choice either with or without Thai health insurance cards. Registration for Thai health insurance scheme was compulsory but less than half followed. When there is a need for hospital visit, nearby health facilities were chosen.