. 2018 Jun 20;18:770. doi: 10.1186/s12889-018-5703-3

Table 1.

Mechanical, physical, chemical exposure among immigrants compared with natives

Author (ref number)	Sample, method, country, study period	Observed mean differences or risk estimates, immigrants compared with natives:
Diaz-Serrano et al. [33]	General working pop., survey, Catalonia, 2006	Noise: mean = 1.8 vs.1.7^a, dust: mean = 1.9 vs. 1.6^a, heavy loads: mean = 1.8 vs. 1.6^a
Dunlavy et al. [35]	General working pop, survey, Sweden, 2010–11.	Physical demanding work: ERR^# = 1.3 (Latin-American) ^a, ERR^# = 1.4 (other Non-Western)^a, awkward working postures^NS
Premji & Lewchuk [60]	General working pop., survey, Canada, 2005–6	Heavy physical workload: ERR^# = 1.7 ^a, toxic substances: ERR^# = 0.6 (m) ^a
Ronda et al. [64]	General working pop., survey, 31 European countries EU, 2004–5	Vibrations: ERR^# = 1.4(m) ^a /1.4(w) ^a, noise: ERR^# = 1.3(m) ^a, high temperature: ERR^# = 1.3(m) ^a, heavy loads: ERR^# = 1.2(m) ^a/1.8 (w), painful positions: ERR^# = 1.21(m)^a, standing: ERR^# = 1.2^a, fume/dust: ERR^# = 0.55 (w) ^a
Ronda et al. [63]	General working pop., survey, Spain, 2004–5	Lifting weights^NS, forced positions^NS, standing: ERR^# = 1.2 (m) ^a/ 1.3 (w) ^a, chemical exposure^NS, temperature: ERR^# = 1.8(m) ^a/ 2.1(w) ^a, noise^NS
Smith et al. [70]	Cohort of immigrants, survey, Canada, 2000–01,	Higher physical demands compared to before arrival in Canada: Poor English: OR = 1.7 ^a, Refugee applicants: OR = 2.9 ^a.Data on natives = n/a

OR odds ratio, RR relative risk, ^# ERR estimated relative risk based on reported prevalence numbers

^astatistically significant. ^NS not statistically significant, m men, w women, n/a not available