Nutritional and Micronutrient Status of Female Workers in a Garment Factory in Cambodia

Abstract

Background: Concerns about the nutritional status of Cambodian garment workers were raised years ago but data are still scarce. The objectives of this study are to examine the nutritional, hemoglobin and micronutrient status of female workers in a garment factory in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and to assess if body mass index is associated with hemoglobin and/or micronutrient status. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 223 female workers (nulliparous, non-pregnant) at a garment factory in Phnom Penh. Anthropometric measurements were performed and blood samples were taken to obtain results on hemoglobin, iron, vitamin A, vitamin B12 and inflammation status (hemoglobinopathies not determined). Bivariate correlations were used to assess associations. Results: Overall, 31.4% of workers were underweight, 26.9% showed anemia, 22.1% showed iron deficiency, while 46.5% had marginal iron stores. No evidence of vitamin A or vitamin B12 deficiency was found. Body mass index was associated with serum ferritin (negative) and serum retinol-binding protein (positive) concentrations, but not strongly. A comparison between underweight and not underweight workers resulted in distinctions for iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia, with a higher prevalence among not underweight. Conclusions: The prevalence of underweight, anemia and poor iron status was high. Young and nulliparous female garment workers in Cambodia might constitute a group with elevated risk for nutritional deficiencies. Strategies need to be developed for improving their nutritional, micronutrient and health status. The poor iron status seems to contribute to the overall prevalence of anemia. Low hemoglobin and iron deficiency affected both underweight and those not underweight. Despite the fact that body mass index was negatively associated with iron stores, true differences in iron status between underweight and not underweight participants cannot be confirmed.

Exploring food security and nutrition among young women in the formally regulated garment sector of Myanmar

“…These findings confirmed those from previous studies that RMG workers in Asia are likely to be in poor health and nutrition. [8][9][10][11][12]17 As the majority of the women are young and recent migrants, these women are likely to arrive in urban areas with poor knowledge and ability to fend for themselves in an unknown environment. They face constraints that are related to their employment: the availability of lowquality food around the factory and the absence of provision of diverse foods in the factory.…”

“…Workers' disposable income was found to be determined by the level of remittances. 11 The increase in minimum wage in Cambodia did not translate into better nutrition because of the remittances they send. In Cambodia, as a follow up to mass fainting events, 12 a five dollar health allowance or subsidy was initiated since 2012 to promote better health and productivity, 13 but no evaluation of its effectiveness was carried out.…”

Multinational Corporations and Civil Society: A case study Comparison of H&M and Hoang Anh Gia Lai Group in Cambodia

“…The same occurs for food and water breaks, even when employees are working 12+ hour shifts (HRW, 2015). Lack of food and water breaks, as well as extreme food budgeting caused by low wages, has been correlated with numerous health concerns, as 32.6% of female garment workers are underweight, 26.9% suffer from anemia, and 22.1% are iron-deficient (Makurat, et al, 2016). These health concerns have serious longterm social implications as most of these women are in their reproductive years and malnutrition during pregnancy is strongly correlated with increased morbidity, post-partum cognitive impairment, prematurity, and intrauterine growth retardation (Abu-Ouf & Jan, 2015).…”

Faktor Risiko Anemia pada Wanita Pemetik Teh

“…Hal ini sesuai dengan penelitian Markurat et al, yang menyatakan pekerja wanita di Kamboja termasuk kelompok dengan risiko tinggi terhadap kekurangan gizi dengan kekurangan zat besi sebesar 22,1% dan anemia sebesar 26,9%. 12 Hal tersebut dikarenakan status gizi yang buruk berkontribusi terhadap prevelensi anemia secara keseluruhan, sehingga diperlukan strategi untuk meningkatkan status gizi, terutama peningkatan asupan zat gizi mikro. Studi Ganapathi & Kumar melaporkan bahwa prevalensi keseluruhan anemia pada wanita kelompok usia reproduksi 15-49 tahun ditemukan 53,3%.…”