Occupational Health Problems among Seasonal and Migrant Farmworkers in Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract Aims The purpose of this study was to describe the health hazards among child labourers in brickfields, and to assess occupational health problems, together with physiological and respiratory stress, compared with child control subjects. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on 112 child brickfield workers and 120 control subjects, and a modified Nordic Questionnaire was applied to assess the discomfort felt among both groups of workers. Physiological assessment of the workload was carried out by the measurement of heart rate, blood pressure and spirometry of the workers. Results Child brickfield workers suffer from pain, especially in the lower back (97%), shoulder (88%), hands (82%), wrist (76%), neck (73%) and ankle (71%). The post-activity heart rate of the child brickfield workers was 166.5 beats/min, whereas the systolic and diastolic blood pressures were 132.2 and 67.2 mm/Hg, respectively. The forced vital capacity value of child brickfield workers was 2.04, and in the case of the controls it was 2.18, which was significantly different. The forced expiratory volumes in 1 s of experimental and control subjects were 1.82 and 1.92, respectively. The peak expiratory flow rate was significantly different between the two groups. Conclusions Most of the brick-making activities were strenuous ones that affected the children. The cardiovascular and respiratory health of the child brickfield workers has changed markedly due to strenuous activity. The child brickfield workers also experienced other occupational health problems and severe musculoskeletal pain.

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A cross-sectional study of factors influencing occupational health and safety management practices in companies

Safety Science ◽

10.1016/j.ssci.2017.02.008 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 95 ◽

pp. 92-103 ◽

Cited By ~ 31

Author(s):

Hasse Nordlöf ◽

Birgitta Wiitavaara ◽

Hans Högberg ◽

Ragnar Westerling

Keyword(s):

Occupational Health ◽

Management Practices ◽

Safety Management ◽

Health And Safety ◽

Occupational Health And Safety ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Factors Influencing

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Health Problems among Sanitation Workers in Indore City and Their Knowledge, Attitude & Practices Regarding Preventive Measures Taken At Workplace: A Cross- Sectional Study

Journal of Medical Science And clinical Research ◽

10.18535/jmscr/v6i5.28 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 (5) ◽

Author(s):

Dr A.K. Khatri ◽

Keyword(s):

Preventive Measures ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Health Problems ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Sanitation Workers

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A cross-sectional study to assess the health profile of street sweepers and sanitary workers in a zone of Greater Chennai Corporation, Tamil Nadu, India

International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health ◽

10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20183974 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 5 (10) ◽

pp. 4357 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Joy Patricia Pushparani ◽

Chitra A. ◽

Kalpana J.

Keyword(s):

Health Services ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Health Problems ◽

Health Profile ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Respiratory Problems ◽

Utilization Of Health Services ◽

Musculoskeletal Problems

Background: Sweepers and sanitary workers are getting exposed to hazardous dust during their work. The health profile of the sanitary workers and utilization of health services are not clearly known. This study aimed to assess the health profile and associated risk factors among street sweepers and sanitary workers.Methods: A community based cross sectional study was conducted among 73 street sweepers and sanitary workers in a zone of Greater Chennai Corporation by multistage sampling method, during November 2016 to December 2016 using a semi structured questionnaire.Results: Among the respondents 67.1% were females, 2/3rd of them belonged to the age group of 30-40 years. Majority of them (82.2%) had reported to have musculoskeletal problems followed by respiratory problems (61.6%), ophthalmic problems (53.4%), skin problems (38.4%), mental health problems (39.7%). Most of the respondents had multiple problems. Musculoskeletal problems were more common among the female workers (p=0.002). Health problems like headache, fatigue, giddiness were more common among the workers who worked for >5 years (p=0.006). The utilization of health services was better among those workers who had formal school education (p=0.042).Conclusions: This study concludes majority of them have musculoskeletal problems followed by respiratory problems and ophthalmic problems. Usage of personal protective equipments and utilization of health services by the sweepers and sanitary workers were poor. Hence steps have to be taken to improve the health status by subjecting them to periodic screening and sensitization programs on usage of PPE.

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