A Cross-Sectional Study on Morbidity Profile Among Workers At A Brick Klin Factory in Southern India

Abstract

Background: The brick manufacturing industry in India is the second largest in the world following China. Brick kiln workers suffer from high morbidity because of their work. The study was primarily focused on detecting the evidence regarding the occupational hazards among brick factory workers. Methods: A total of 125 workers with at least 6 months of experience were included in the study. The data were collected using a semi-structured pretested questionnaire to obtain information on the demography and occupational exposure history. Specific questions were asked on the effects of exposure such as watering of eyes, reddening of eyes, foreign body sensation, upper respiratory tract symptoms, headache, excessive fatigue, and other musculoskeletal-related conditions such as generalized body ache, muscle cramps etc. A thorough physical examination was done to find out existing morbidities. Anthropometric measurements like height, weight and vitals like blood pressure, spo2 were recorded. Analysis was done by calculating frequency, percentages, and standard deviation from the data. Descriptive statistics were presented with frequency tables. Association was illustrated with cross tables, chi square test and Z test. Results: The majority of workers 57(45.6%) were in the age group 31-40 years, as the duration of employment increased, the proportion of workers with morbidities also increased. Among the workers who were working for a long period (more than 10 years), all workers were suffering from one or other musculoskeletal disorders followed by respiratory morbidities among 73(58.4%) workers. Conclusion: Musculoskeletal disorders were the most common morbidities followed by respiratory morbidities. As the duration of employment increased, the morbidity profile among Brick klin workers also increased.