Ethnic differences in patterns of occupational exposure in New Zealand

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the differences in occupational exposure between Māori (New Zealand's indigenous people) and non-Māori.

Methods: Participants were randomly selected from the Electoral Roll. Exposure to occupational risk factors was assessed through telephone interviews and exposure prevalences of Māori (n = 273) and non-Māori (n = 2,724) were compared. Subsequently, Māori were matched with non-Māori on current occupation (n = 482) to assess whether ethnic differences also exist within occupations.

Results: Māori were more likely to report exposure to physical strain (e.g., lifting, standing). Part of these differences remained when Māori were compared with non-Māori in the same job. In addition, Māori women were twice as likely to categorize their job as very or extremely stressful than non-Māori women in the same job, while Māori men were twice as likely to report exposure to dust.

Conclusion: Marked ethnic differences exist in risk factors for occupational ill-health, due to both occupational distribution and the distribution of tasks within occupations.