“Of and beyond medical consequences”: Exploring health information scanning and seeking behaviors of Filipino domestic service workers in Hong Kong

ABSTRACT

The increasing trend for women in developing countries to engage in international and temporary labor migration has exposed female migrant workers to health inequities. In this article, we problematize the impact of international and temporary labor migration on the health of Filipino domestic workers in Hong Kong by exploring their general patterns of health information acquisition. Through a series of focus group discussions with Filipino domestic workers in Hong Kong, we found that employers serve as stakeholders in migration health, social networking sites can be a platform for participatory health promotion, and religious beliefs and behaviors can promote favorable health behaviors.

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful for the assistance of the Mission for Migrant Workers and its leaders and volunteers. Likewise, they are thankful to the Filipino FDWs in Hong Kong who joined the FGDs for their time, effort, and trust.