How can we reach them? A pilot study on response and occupational health among migrants from post-soviet countries

Abstract

Objectives There are about 15.7 million people with migration background living in Germany. The number of migrants from post-soviet countries (mainly Russia, Ukraine) is increasing and this group is estimated to be the largest in Bavaria by 2020. Concurrently, working conditions have changed, for example, the deregulation of German Law on Temporary Work resulting in 2% prevalence of temporary workers of Germany's total workforce. Migrants are among the most vulnerable group affected by changing work patterns. Yet, they are among the most diffi cult to reach groups in epidemiological studies. This study aims at identifying an effi cient access way for migrants from post-soviet countries and comparing different working conditions and health between terms of employment. Methods MIROSLAWa is a population-based, cross-sectional questionnaire study conducted in Bavaria. It compares different approaches (classic mail survey, school-based, social meeting points, and web-based access; n=500 contacted persons per access way) with subjects (18-65 years) from post-sovietb countries. The primary outcome is the response across the four access ways. Secondary outcome is description of participants' work-related health. Results Field phase began in March 2011. So far, access via schools turned out to be not feasible. This is due to the fact that the Bavarian Ministry of Education gave the study a low priority. For the classic mail survey, addresses were obtained through the German population registry. Conclusions Research on occupational health in migrants needs migrant specifi c instruments. This study compares access ways and contributes to fi nd the most effi cient access way for migrants from post-soviet countries.