ABSTRACT
The occupational dust leads to various respiratory diseases. It is a major health problem among factory workers and is under reported in everyday scene of medical practice. To assess the frequency of occupation related lung diseases among study population. To seek association of socio-demographic characteristics with occurrence of lung diseases among study population. Descriptive cross sectional study. This study was conducted in the Zeal Pak Cement factory, site area, Hyderabad for a period of one year. Data was collected by filling a questionnaire; subjects were selected by convenience sampling. Frequencies were computed, chi-square test was applied to see any statistical analysis of various categorical variables. Among 100 subjects examined, the frequency of respiratory diseases was found among 83% workers. 70% subjects belonged to labour class who were closely exposed to occupational dusts. 58% of the subjects were earning < rs:4000 /month; however no association of socio-economic status was seen with occurrence of respiratory diseases [p=0.06]. 63% workers belonged to age group 31-40 years. Chronic bronchitis was the most commonly presenting respiratory disease i.e. 37%, while cor pulmonale reported in 4% of the workers. Silicosis along with tuberculosis was reported among workers of age group 40-50 [p=0.01]. The high frequency of occupation dust related respiratory diseases warrants further research in order to design preventive strategies against them