Study of lung function tests in tea garden factory workers in relation to duration of exposure to tea dust

Background: Occupational hazard is a common health problem in the world today. The tea industry is also no exception. Tea dust inhalation leads to development of many respiratory symptoms: Acute as well as chronic. Workers in the tea factory often are not aware of the ill effects of inhalation of tea dust. There is therefore a need to make them aware of their working environment and take necessary precautions to keep themselves healthy to earn their livelihood. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the pulmonary function tests (PFT) in tea garden factory workers and assess the outcome of exposure duration to tea dust in them. Materials and Methods: The study had been carried out on 210 male tea garden factory workers (cases) and 70 male field workers (control) employed in various tea gardens of Dibrugarh, in Assam. Computerized spirometer was used to evaluate PFTs. The cases were categorized into three categories (70 numbers in every category) according to their exposure duration, namely – Category 1: Exposure duration <1 year; Category 2: Exposure duration of 1–2 years; and Category 3: Exposure duration of >2 years up to 5 years. Statistical analysis was done using ANOVA. Results: On comparing with control group values, statistically significant decline of forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume (FEV)1 values were seen in Category 1 while highly significant decline were seen for Categories 2 and 3. Decline of FEV1% in Category 3 was highly significant. Decline of peaked expiratory flow rate values in Category 2 and Category 3 was significant. Conclusion: Increase in exposure duration to tea dust causes a significant decline in lung functions.

Analysis of burnout indices and components of organizational climate among female factory workers

Introduction@#With the growing number of females employed as factory workers, it is important to look into the phenomenon of burnout and related organizational climate affecting these workers. @*Objectives@#The study's objectives were: 1) to come up with the indices of burnout among Filipino female factory workers and; 2) to come up with indices of organizational climate components of job autonomy, the content of the job, and nature of management through exploratory factor analysis. @*Methods@#The secondary data used for this study were from a cross-sectional study involving 344 female factory workers. The indicators of the organizational climate were derived through exploratory factor analysis of items in the dataset. Exploratory Factor Analysis was used to reduce the variables into a fewer set of “Component Variables.” The technique explored the relationship of each indicator and then grouped them according to which component they were highly correlated. Using the factor loadings as weights, the index score was generated. The organizational climate indices were derived from the factor loading scores. Burnout Score was derived from respondents’ answers on nine items relating to burnout. The organizational climate indexes were also generated using factor analysis with these components- job autonomy, content of the job, and nature of management. Cronbach alpha was generated for all the items under each index to show the internal consistency and scale reliability. @*Results@#There were 344 female respondents with a mean age of 26 (SD=5.02), and the majority were single (69.21%). Nine items were measured with the lowest average response “work is boring” (0.259 ± .560) for burnout indices. The highest mean answer for the item “work requires new skills or upskilling regularly” at 1.619 ± .762, suggesting that most respondents were required to upskill regularly. “Salary is not enough to meet worker’s needs” also has a high average response, suggesting that most respondents felt that their salary was insufficient to sustain their daily needs. The total burnout score indicates that workers experienced moderate burnout. The indices for burnout have good internal consistency and scale reliability (Cronbach alpha= 0.712). The organizational climate was grouped into Indexes through factor analysis, namely, Autonomy on Quality Index, Autonomy on Rest Index, Skilled work content Index, Physical work content Index, Hazardous work content Index, Health, Safety, and Compensation Index, and Training Index. Autonomy on Quality Index has a mean of 66.877 ± 31.934, suggesting that the autonomy on quality for respondents was moderately high, while Autonomy on Rest Index was 24.159 ± 30.788, suggesting that respondents have low autonomy on rest. The skilled work content index was high at an average of 70.801 ± 22.87, while physical work content and hazardous work content index were low at 29.398 and 25.377, respectively. Health, Safety, and Compensation index average was very low at 8.891 ± 8.524. @*Conclusion@#This study came up with indices of burnout unique to female factory workers. The indexes were boredom/boring work, repetitious tasks, fast-paced work, work pressure, not sufficient compensation, work-home conflicts, upskilling, physically tiring, mentally tiring, and salary is not sufficient to meet basic needs. This study also came up with the indexes of organizational climate relating to job autonomy, content of job, and nature of management. The several items under each of these components were subjected to Factor Analysis to come up with indexes of organizational climate. Thus, the contribution of this study is coming up with a burnout index unique to the Filipino factory worker, not just based on subjective expert opinion, but data-driven and statistically derived.

Oral Health Status and Treatment Needs among Factory Employees in Jeddah

Expatriate workers are employed to work in various sectors in Saudi Arabia on a large scale. Even though various labour laws, schemes and policies are undertaken by the host country, oral health is not given the importance it deserves. This is reflected in factory workers having hidden adverse oral health issues which can hamper their working efficacy and, also their quality of life. In light of aforementioned we conducted this oral health status and treatment needs survey of factory workers in an industrial city of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.METHODSThis was a cross-sectional survey study in which 119 males in the age group 18 to 64 years were included. World Health Organization (WHO) basic oral health survey form was used to extract data regarding the oral examination. The data were analysed using Chi-square test. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.RESULTSA significant association was seen between different age groups and mobility of teeth (p = 0.002), between education status and missing teeth (p = 0.032), between frequency of brushing and gingivitis (p = 0.009), between smoking habit and gingivitis (p = 0.000) and between smoking habit and missing teeth (p = 0 .010).CONCLUSIONThe results of the study showed that most of the factory workers had poor oral and dental health as a result of unawareness and lack of time to seek dental consultation. Primary oral health‑care programs like dental screening and oral health education at regular intervals should be made mandatory at factory premises, which will help them maintain their oral health, thus improving their quality of life.

A Comparative Study To Find Out Immediate Effect Of Chest Mobility Exercise And Incentive Spirometery Exercise On Cement Factory Workers -AN Experimentl Study

Context: As an average normal person spend maximum of its time in his working environment it is major contributor in determining the persons overall health. A good quality of air is an important factor for normal health of an individual. Aim: To find out immediate effect of chest mobility exercise and incentive spirometry exercise on cement factory worker. Setting and design: The interventional study was carried out in cement factories of aburoad. Method and material: 40 subjects were included in the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria and divided into 2 groups with 20 participants in each group. One group received chest mobility exercise and other group received incentive spirometry exercise. Results: Statistically is significant (p<0.05) the result showed high significant difference within & between the two groups .There was more effect of incentive spirometry exercise compared to chest mobility exercise. Conclusion: The above study concluded that both the technique showed marked improvement but the incentive spirometry exercise is more effective for the cement factory workers and it is easy to perform for the participants.

Assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice about dengue in factory workers of Jammu region, India

Background: Dengue, a mosquito borne, arboviral disease has become a major cause of health concern in the recent times throughout the world. In India, we have been witnessing annual outbreaks for the past few years and lack of knowledge about prevention and treatment of dengue among majority of the population leads to increased mortality. In spite of this fact, very few studies have been done to know about the knowledge of people regarding dengue fever and whether proper preventive measures are being practiced by the community to limit its spread. The objective of the study is to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) regarding dengue in factory workers in Jammu.Methods: An observational study was conducted in a factory of Jammu to assess knowledge, attitude and practices of factory workers about dengue.Results: Majority of workers had knowledge about dengue (92.56%), source (81.81%), nature of disease, symptoms, but complications were not known. Majority of the workers had no idea that laboratory test for dengue is not available in every laboratory.63.63% of the workers knew that papaya is useful in dengue. 74.38% of the workers knew that low platelet count is found in dengue. There were 82.64% of the workers told that they think dengue is curable and preventable. There were 54.54% of the workers told that dengue can be prevented by avoiding stagnation of water. 57.85% of the workers told that they are aware about the sprays used by govt. to kill mosquito.Conclusions: There is a need to bring awareness about dengue, prevention and treatment as it is a prevalent disease now.

Study of morbidity pattern in readymade denim factory workers in suburban slum of Maharashtra: A cross-sectional overview

Clothes form indispensible trade in modern society & jeans clothes are among the clothes with highest demand among youth. Most of the times the jeans fabrics are made in some industries and then they are transported to different small scale industries to make readymade clothes. Mostly these small scale industries consist of small labour force mostly involved in cutting & making of readymade jeans clothes. Most of these industries are unorganised sectors. This study intends to assess morbidity patterns workers in one of such industries invoved in cutting & making of readymade jeans clothes. Objective: To assess the morbidity pattern among the workers. Material & Methods: It is a crossectional study conducted in one of the small factory producing readymade jeans clothes. The total number of workers included was 256. The objective of the study was to assess the morbidity among the workers. The study tool used was a pre validated &pretested questionnaire, which included their demographic characteristics, general & systemic examination. Results: Among all the 256 workers in the factories, highest number i.e. 136 (53.13%) were in 20-30 year age group followed by 68(26.56%) in 30-40 year age group, 24(9.38%) each in 10-20 years & 40-50 years age group and only 4(1.56%) were in 50-60 years of age group. All of them were males. Conclusion: The health needs of the people working in these industries are high due to significant co morbidities, long working hours, lack of health awareness regarding substance abuse and safe sexual practice.

Prevalence and Determinants of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) among Male Migrant Factory Workers in Haryana, North India.

Background: Male migrant workers display high risk sexual behavior and have been shown to have higher prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), which make them more vulnerable to HIV infection. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of self-reported STIs and delineate their determinants among male migrant factory workers in Faridabad, Haryana. Materials and Methods: Male workers in two selected factories, who were aged ≥18 years, were born outside Haryana (destination), and who had migrated to Haryana after the age of 15 years were eligible. Sociodemographic information, HIV/AIDS knowledge and behavior, and self-reported STI symptoms in the last 1 year were ascertained by face-to-face interview. Determinants of STIs were identifi ed by regression analysis. Results: Totally 755 eligible workers participated. Mean ± SD age was 31.4 ± 8.2 years and migration duration was 9.5 ± 6.7 years. At least one STI symptom was reported by 41.7% of the participants (burning micturition- 35%, inguinal bubos-5.2%, genital ulcers- 2.6%, urethral pus discharge- 1.3%). Factors associated with STIs were higher age at migration, lower HIV/AIDS knowledge, paid sex in the last year, non-use of condoms during the last non-spousal sex, and unfavorable intention to use condom. Conclusion: Prevalence of self-reported STIs among these migrant men was high. Targeted Interventions among migrant workers need to be strengthened for control and prevention of STIs.

Dental caries experience in high risk soft drinks factory workers of South India: A comparative study.

Background: The consumption of soft-drinks has been associated with dental caries development. Objective: The aim was to evaluate dental caries experience amongst the workers working in soft-drink industries located in South India and compare it with other factory workers. To evaluate the validity of specific caries index (SCI), which is newer index for caries diagnosis. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study carried out among 420 workers (210 in soft-drinks factory and 210 in other factories), in the age group of 20-45 years of Udupi district, Karnataka, India. Index used for clinical examination was decayed, missing, filled surfaces (DMFS) index and SCI. Results: The mean and standard deviation (SD) of decayed surface (5.8 ± 1.8), missing surface (4.3 ± 2) and filled surface (1.94 ± 1.95) and total DMFS score (12.11 ± 3.8) in soft-drinks factory workers were found to be significantly higher than the other factory workers. The total SCI score (mean and SD) was found to be significantly higher in soft-drinks factory workers (5.83 ± 1.80) compared with other factory workers (4.56 ± 1.45). There was a high correlation obtained between SCI score and DMFS score. The regression equation given by DMFS = 1.178 + 1.866 (SCI scores). Conclusion: The caries experience was higher in workers working in soft-drinks factory and this study also showed that specific caries index can be used as a valid index for assessing dental caries experience.

The effect of marble dust on different pulmonary parameters in marble factory workers.

There are numbers of marble factories are found in Agra, UP, India and the numbers of workers perform their duties to those factories to maintain their family wages. Majority of the workers are habituated to smoke during their working period. The marble dust as well as smoking habits both affects the pulmonary parameters. Therefore an attempt has been taken to find out the severity of the affect of dust on pulmonary parameters in marble factory workers with respect to nonsmokers and residing far away from the marble factories, i.e., persons residing in Bareilly, UP, India. The study was performed on 90 male marble factory workers in which 62 workers with smoking habits and 28 workers are nonsmokers. And they are compared with 20 smokers and 20 non-smokers subjects, which are denoted as control group, considering same economic status. The subjects’ height and weight were taken following the standard procedure. The pulmonary parameters [Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expired Volume-1st sec. (FEV1), Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR), Forced Expiratory Flow (FEF25-75%) and Maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV)] were determined by means of a portable multifunctional computerized spirometer. The results indicates that there was a significant difference in FVC (p<0.001) and FEV1 (p<0.01) between control group and marble workers with smoking habits. It may be concluded that the workers of marble factories are directly affected from the dust of marble during working as well as non working period also, due to they were residing near the marble factories. This direct effect of the workers due to the inhalation of marble dust through the respiration, which might be causes restrictive or obstructive lung diseases.

Pulmonary functions in plastic factory workers: A preliminary study.

Exposure to long term air pollution in the work environment may result in decreased lung functions and various other health problems. A significant occupational hazard to lung functions is experienced by plastic factory workers. The present study is planned to assess the pulmonary functions of workers in the plastic factory where recycling of pastic material was done. These workers were constantly exposed to fumes of various chemicals throughout the day. Thirty one workers of plastic factory were assessed for their pulmonary functions. Parameters were compared with 31 age and sex matched controls not exposed to the same environment. The pulmonary function tests were done using Sibelmed Datospir 120 B portable spirometer. A significant decrease in most of the flow rates (MEF 25%, MEF 50%, MEF 75% and FEF 25-75%) and most of the lung volumes and capacities (FVC, FEV1, VC, TV, ERV, MVV) were observed in the workers. Smoking and duration of exposure were not affecting the lung functions as the non smokers also showed a similar decrement in pulmonary functions. Similarly the workers working for less than 5 years also had decrement in pulmonary functions indicating that their lungs are being affected even if they have worked for one year. Exposure to the organic dust in the work environment should be controlled by adequate engineering measures, complemented by effective personal respiratory protection.

Cross-sectional audiometric study among cane sugar factory workers.

Cross-sectional audiometric study among 1219 cane sugar factory workers from 13, factories in the year 1988 has shown relationship between noise exposure and hearing loss with X21.d.f. = 37.02 (When X21.d.f. = 3.84 for p = 0.05). Both unilateral and bilateral loss have been found closely among the exposed. Among the non-exposed, unilateral loss is twice of bilateral loss. Fifty percent of hearing loss is mild. The another half is moderate and severe. About eighty five percent o hearing loss has been detected at high frequencies (4.8 kHz). Above ninety percent of workers with hearing loss have been on the job for 5 years or longer. Most of hearing loss workers experienced on job classifications such as juice extractions, boilers, sugar spinning machines, electroturbine and evaporators. The relationship between hearing loss and average area noise levels is not detected by regression analysis.