Analysis of the morbidity of children of moldovan labor migrants and assessment of the medico-social risk factors for their health

Abstract


Moldova occupies one of the leading positions among countries affected by migration processes. According to the data from the National Bureau of Statistics of Moldova, the number of children of labor migrants has increased by 1.5 times — from 17,656 children in 2009 to 26,689 children in 2025. Objective of the study: To analyze the overall morbidity of children of labor migrants and identify the socio-medical factors influencing their health. Materials and methods. The study included data on 400 children from Moldova, aged 1 to 18 years, from regions with a higher incidence of parental labor migration. An analysis was conducted, and the structure of morbidity among children of labor migrants was determined; socio-medical factors affecting their health were identified. Results. The analysis of the overall morbidity structure of children of labor migrants revealed that respiratory diseases accounted for the largest share at 58.5%, followed by eye, ear, and appendage diseases, as well as injuries, poisoning, and other consequences of external causes with respective shares of 5.5% and 4.9%. Diseases of the nervous system and diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue accounted for 4.4%, infectious and parasitic diseases, as well as blood diseases, hematopoietic organs, and certain immune disorders made up 4.3% and 4.2%, respectively. Diseases of the digestive organs represented 3.6%, while musculoskeletal system and connective tissue diseases accounted for 2.8%. The study of the hierarchy of risk factors for the health of children of labor migrants showed that the first place was occupied by the presence of tuberculosis/tuberculin reaction or contact with individuals with tuberculosis. The second place was occupied by irregular and infrequent nutrition, while the third place was attributed to the family's financial incapacity. The presence of anemia was confirmed in the fourth place, followed by the fifth place reserved for the factor of infrequent hygiene practices (washing hands with soap less than once a day). The presence of physical violence, non-compliance with vaccination schedules, and delayed medical assistance were assigned to the sixth, seventh, and eighth places, respectively. Conclusion. The study results highlight the need to develop measures for monitoring the health of children of labor migrants and preventing the negative consequences of parental migration. These measures should aim at the systematic and continuous tracking of risk factors, enhancing the functional capacity of the national healthcare system, and improving the health and quality of life of migrant children.

About the authors

Galina Davidovna Gorbunova

Nicolae Testemițanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy of the Republic of Moldova

Email: galina.gorbunov@usmf.md

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