A study on health profile of manjha makers in district Bareilly

ABSTRACT

Background: Bareilly is famous for its manjha all over the world. More than 20,000 workers are engaged in the making the Manjha in Bareilly which is an important unorganized sector in western Uttar Pradesh. Objective was to study health profile of manjha makers in district Bareilly.Methods: The workers engaged in making manjha were randomly approached in the selected areas and interviewed using a semi open ended questionnaire. Responses were marked based on duration and severity of symptoms.Results: The mean age of study participants was 31±9.9 years. The mean age of starting manjha making was 15.3±6.7 years. 51 (47.2%) study participants were having wounds and cuts in hands and fingers.Conclusions: Manjha makers are in direct contact with inhalable glass dust (silica dust) and chemical colors which can reach the circulation through cuts and wounds. The higher prevalence of musculoskeletal and respiratory symptoms as well as other symptoms like cut wounds in hands and possible absorption of dyes through cuts underlines the need of a larger study to know the factors causing these symptoms and ways to prevent the suffering of manjha makers.