Objective To evaluate changes in knowledge of occupational health among migrant workers in private enterprises in Cixi City before and after an intervention program, and to provide basis for developing health promotion strategies.
Methods Two hundred migrant workers from each of 2 private enterprises were selected by stratified random sampling strategy. An intervention on enterprise health policy, supportive environment, health education, and health services was implemented from November 2010 till December 2011. A questionnaire survey on awareness of occupational health was performed before and after the one-year intervention, including knowledge of occupational diseases, occupational hazards, occupational health protection, occupational health examination, and relevant laws and regulations.
Results The proportion of the migrant workers with correct understanding of occupational diseases rose from 70.25% before the intervention to 90.71% after the intervention (P< 0.05). The overall awareness rate of occupational health increased from 61.47% before the intervention to 86.38% after the intervention (P< 0.05). The occupational health awareness rate in migrant workers with junior high school education level increased from 49.41% to 85.93% (P< 0.05).
Conclusion Enterprises' policy of occupational health plays an important role in preventing the occupational hazards among migrant workers. Education and training are effective ways, such as a 10-minute class of occupational heath before regular safety meetings.
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