Effectiveness of health component of pre-departure orientation training in Nepal

Summary: Effectiveness of health component of pre-departure orientation training for aspiring Nepali migrant workers (on-going)

Half of the households in Nepal have at least one current or returnee migrant worker. Along with the soaring number of low-skilled Nepali labour migrant workers – particularly in the countries of Gulf and Malaysia – the reported cases of deaths, injuries and other health issues have increased significantly. Most of these cases are related to working and living conditions at destination countries and largely preventable. Around 1000 Nepali migrant workers come home back in coffin every year and thousands others with injuries and debilitating health conditions. Nepali workers send over US$6 billion back home every year, comprising 26.3% of Nepal’s gross domestic product (GDP). However, this income is often generated at a great personal cost to the workers, in terms of deaths, injuries and life-long medical conditions. Currently, aspiring migrant workers have to attend a mandatory two-day pre-departure orientation training which includes 3 hours for health-related components. Migrant health related expert community and media often report on ineffectiveness of conduct and curriculum of current health related component, therefore, seeking evidence for revision. Through this study, we aim to: a) understand the extent of knowledge gain on health issues from current pre-departure orientation curriculum; and, b) explore on relevance and adequacy of current health related orientation training curriculum, and if any changes are required on contents and delivery.

For further information please contact Dr Pramod Raj Regmi (pregmi@bournemouth.ac.uk)