Volume : IV, Issue : V, May - 2015

Morbidity profile of cotton weavers in rural South India

Dr V G Prasad, Divya Bharati V, Dr V M Malhotra, Dr K Nagaraj

Abstract :

 Introduction: Cotton mill workers in India constitute a large workforce, and are susceptible to number of diseases  due to work–place environment. The present study has been conducted in rural area of South India to study the morbidity profile of cotton weavers using power looms at household levels. Methodology: Two hundred and ninety five power looms workers were included in a cross sectional study. Socio–demographic, occupational,  work–place environmental, behavioral (including use of personal protective equipment) and morbidity data was collected through face to  face interview and medical examination. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. Results: The study revealed that the workers belonged to age groups 15 to more than 65 years, with females outnumbering males. 8.5% of  workers smoked, and 45.4% gave history of alcohol consumption. Study of physical environment at workplaces showed that 87.1% workers  were employed in overcrowded workplaces, 34.6% were working in suboptimal illumination and 33.2% were exposed to noise pollution. Use  of personal protective equipment was extremely low (< 1.5%). The clinical examination revealed that 22.7 had byssinosis, 31.5% other respiratory illnesses, 41.4% eye diseases (including refractive errors), 8.5% were suffering from skin diseases while 19% reported diminished heå.  Low backache and generalized body aches were common symptoms reported by 57.6 and 27.1% of workers, respectively. Anemia (40.3%),  hypertension (15.3%), Diabetes (9.5%) and workplace injury (27.8%) were other morbidities. Conclusion: The study revealed high prevalence of morbidity among the study group. Health education, safe workplace environment, ergonomics and use of PPE can prevent large number of diseases. Supervision of work place environment and behavior change communication  for healthy and safe workplace practices e.g. use of PPE are recommended.   

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Article: Download PDF   DOI : 10.36106/ijsr  

Cite This Article:

V G Prasad Morbidity profile of cotton weavers in rural South India International Journal of Scientific Research, Vol : 4, Issue : 5 May 2015

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