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ObjectiveTo summarise the evidence on health and well-being of Nepalese migrant workers in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and Malaysia.DesignSystematic review.Data sourcesEMBASE, MEDLINE, Scopus and Global Health databases.Eligibility criteriaStudies were eligible if they: (1) included Nepalese migrant workers aged 18 or older working in the GCC countries or Malaysia or returnee migrant workers from these countries; (2) were primary studies that investigated health and well-being status/issues; and (3) were published in English language before 8 May 2020.Study appraisalAll included studies were critically appraised using Joanna Briggs Institute study specific tools.ResultsA total of 33 studies were eligible for inclusion; 12 studies were conducted in Qatar, 8 in Malaysia, 9 in Nepal, 2 in Saudi Arabia and 1 each in UAE and Kuwait. In majority of the studies, there was a lack of disaggregated data on demographic characteristics of Nepalese migrant workers. Nearly half of the studies (n=16) scored as ‘high’ quality and the rest (n=17) as ‘moderate’ quality. Five key health and well-being related issues were identified in this population: (1) occupational hazards; (2) sexual health; (3) mental health; (4) healthcare access and (5) infectious diseases.ConclusionTo our knowledge, this is the most comprehensive review of the health and well-being of Nepalese migrant workers in the GCC countries and Malaysia. This review highlights an urgent need to identify and implement policies and practices across Nepal and destination countries to protect the health and well-being of migrant workers.

Objectives: Inhalation of a cotton-based particulates has previously been associated with respiratory symptoms and impaired lung function. This study investigates the respiratory health of Nepalese textile workers in relation to dust and endotoxin exposure. Methods: A total of 938 individuals from four sectors (garment, carpet, weaving and recycling) of the textile industry in Kathmandu, Nepal completed a health questionnaire and performed spirometry. A subset (n=384) performed cross-shift spirometry. Personal exposure to inhalable dust and airborne endotoxin was measured during a full shift for 114 workers. Results: The overall prevalence of persistent cough, persistent phlegm, wheeze ever, breathlessness ever and chest tightness ever was 8.5%, 12.5%, 3.2%, 6.5% and 12.3%, respectively. Symptoms were most common among recyclers and least common among garment workers. Exposure to inhalable dust significantly predicted persistent cough and chest tightness. Exposure to endotoxin did not have any independent predictive effect. Significant cross-shift reduction in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) were found (p

Objectives Occupational exposure to cotton dust has been associated with various respiratory symptoms and impaired lung function. This study investigates the respiratory health profile of textile mill workers in Nepal in relation to dust and endotoxin exposure. Methods This study was conducted in four sectors (garment, carpet, weaving and recycling) of the textile industry in Kathmandu, Nepal. A total of 938 individuals completed a health questionnaire and performed spirometry. Personal exposure to inhalable dust and airborne endotoxin was measured during a full-shift for 114 workers. Results Overall prevalence of persistent cough, persistent phlegm, wheeze, breathlessness and chest tightness were 8.5%, 12.5%, 3.2%, 6.5% and 3.6% respectively. Symptoms were most common among the recyclers and least in the garment sector. Significant cross-shift reduction in FEV1, FVC, FEF25_75 were measured in the textile workers (p Conclusions To the best of the authors9 knowledge, this study is the first to investigate the respiratory health of cotton workers in Nepal. The associations between exposure to inhalable dust, self-reported respiratory symptoms and decrements in lung function suggest better dust control measures should be implemented in the cotton industries of Nepal.

Objectives Cotton textile workers are highly exposed to organic dust. Inhalation of cotton-based particulate has been associated with respiratory symptoms and impaired lung function. This cross-sectional study was conducted to measure personal exposure to inhalable dust and endotoxin in the textile industry in Nepal. Methods The study was conducted in four sectors (garment making, carpet making, weaving, and recycling) of the textile industry in Kathmandu, Nepal. Personal exposures to inhalable dust and airborne endotoxin were measured during a full-shift for 114 workers. Results Geometric mean (GM) personal exposures to cotton dust and endotoxin were 0.81 mg/m 3 and 2160 EU/m3 respectively. 18% (n = 20) of the workers sampled exceeded UK workplace exposure limit (WEL) for cotton dust (2.5 mg/m 3 ). The GM of endotoxin exposure was more than 20-fold higher than the Dutch health-based guidance value of 90 EU/m 3 . Dust and endotoxin exposures were lowest in the garment sector and highest in the recycling sector. There was a statistically significant correlation between inhalable dust concentrations and endotoxin concentrations (r=0.37; p Conclusions Inhalable dust concentrations in this study are similar to those from previous studies in cotton-processing workers in other countries. However, endotoxin exposure concentrations are many times higher than the Dutch proposed health-based exposure limit. Health and safety surveillance with advice from occupational hygienists is recommended to reduce exposure to dust and endotoxin within the textile processing industry in Nepal.