Mental health and substance use among international migrant workers in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Previous literature showed that mental health conditions and substance use are prevalent in international migrant workers due to acculturation stress. Given the rapid increase in labour migration within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries, this study aimed to conduct a meta-analysis of the pooled prevalence of mental health conditions and substance use among international migrant workers in ASEAN countries and to identify associated factors. We searched MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus, and ASEAN Citation Index (ACI) for articles published in English between January 2010 and October 2023. The included outcomes were mental health (depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)) and substance use (alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs). Study quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Qualitative Assessment and Review Instrument (JBI-QARI). Of 19 eligible studies, 18 articles (11 for depression, 5 for anxiety, 1 for PTSD, and 8 for substance use) were included in the meta-analysis. A significant number of studies included in this study targeted Myanmar migrant workers living in Thailand. The pooled prevalence was 34.77% for depression, 37.72% for anxiety, and 24.29% for substance use. Factors associated with mental disorders were younger age, being female, low education and income level, workers in construction and sex industry, while male gender, other substance use, and peer influence are associated with substance use. A high prevalence of mental disorders and substance use among international migrant workers warrants a collective effort by various parties to provide proactive support to prevent and manage mental health conditions and substance use in the ASEAN countries.