Research News

Faculty members and students from various disciplines, including allied health sciences, applied Thai traditional medicine, and pharmacy, at WU have continuously provided health care services to immigrant communities in surrounding communities throughout 2024. This includes communities in Ban Tha Sung Bon, Thasala District, and nearby areas, where the majority of the immigrant workers are male, aged 23–50 years, with approximately 93% from Cambodia and 7% from Laos.

Disease Screening 

Most immigrant workers had normal blood pressure levels. However, there were only six individuals showing high blood pressure. They were advised to have their blood pressure checked again, and if the levels remained high, they were recommended to see a doctor for diagnosis because this urine test results were normal for 100% of participants.

In the anemia screening, most had normal hemoglobin levels (73%), while 27% had mild anemia. Among them, one person had low hemoglobin levels and was advised to visit a doctor for further diagnosis, as the screening was only preliminary.

Nutritional Counseling and Education 

The focus was on promoting dietary habits rich in iron, vitamin C, and a balanced intake of all five food groups. Also, immigrant workers were advised to avoid alcohol consumption and exposure to toxic substances or chemicals. Those with mild anemia were encouraged to undergo a repeat blood test to determine whether the cause was nutritional deficiency or a genetic blood disorder.

Muscle Injury Prevention and Promotion 

An initial assessment revealed that migrant workers had weak hand muscles and low back muscle flexibility, which could lead to work-related muscle injuries. Additionally, the project provided individual counseling on muscle stretching exercises to prevent such injuries.

To sum up, the collaborative, interdisciplinary approach to these field activities helped ensure comprehensive health care for immigrant workers, including screenings for non-communicable diseases, anemia prevention, nutritional guidance, and proper muscle rehabilitation. These efforts are aimed at reducing future health risks and improving the long-term quality of life for the workers in the area.