Morbidity among mine workers: a cross sectional study in Chitradurga, Karnataka, India

Abstract

Work-related morbidity and mortality not only results in suffering and hardship for the worker and his or her ABSTRACT Background: Workers represent half the world's population and are the major contributors to economic and social development. Their health is determined not only by workplace hazards but also by social and individual actors and access to health services. Work-related morbidity and mortality result in suffering and hardship for worker as well as to his or her family. Thus occupational health of working people are crucial prerequisites for overall socioeconomic and sustainable development. The aims and objective were to assess the health status of the people working in mines and study their occupational hazards. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in three actively working mines of Chitradurga city for a period of one year. Complete enumeration method was used to include 493 mine workers. Results: Sesagoa mines were the biggest among the selected mines (69.5% workers). Majority belonged to the age group of 20-30 years with 37.5%, 69% workers were field workers. Around 76.3% workers were working since 1-5 years. 45.20% and 11% workers had undergone pre placement examination and periodic examination respectively. Personal Protective Equipments (P.P.E) were used by 90.50% workers. History of allergy was seen in 21.7% workers, while 11.2% workers reported history of vector borne diseases. Trouble smelling was found in 1.8% workers while 1.6% workers had trouble hearing. Conclusions: Health education on pre placement, periodic examination and use of PPE was found to be less which on itself can be the reason for morbidities among the mine workers hence efforts must be made to improve their knowledge regarding these.

A study on work characteristics and morbidity pattern of coal mine workers in South India

“…According to work experience 51.07% (41.85% underground workers + 9.22% surface workers) workers are having experience of working for 20-30 yrs and 38.30% (30.50% underground workers + 7.80%) workers are having experience of working for more than 30 yrs which shows that these workers are more exposed to coal dust for a long period and are more prone for chronic diseases when compared to Rajashekar et al 9 A study was done in 493 mine workers where there are no workers who had work experience for more than 20yrs and there are only 4.40% of workers having work experience for 11-20 yrs who are very less compared to our study also in Considine et al study there are only 37.7% of workers having work experience for more than 10 yrs. 7 In the current study, 26.23% (19.85% underground workers and 6.38% surface workers) of workers had a habit of smoking, 68.08% (56.73% underground workers and 11.35% of surface workers) had a habit of regular consumption of alcohol and 6.37% (4.25% underground workers and 2.12% surface workers) of workers had an habit of intake of smokeless tobacco which are the major risk factors causing chronic diseases.…”

“…Hypertension, diabetes and chronic respiratory symptoms are more prevalent in coal miners than normal population. 9,13 There is limited literature regarding morbidity pattern in coal mines. This study was conducted with the objective to know the working pattern of coal mine workers and to know their habits and morbidity pattern.…”

Shifting of economic responsibilities on vulnerable shoulders for survival of families: a scenario from mining industry in India

“…(2018) has also reported similar level of work experience among mine workers. 3 Contrary to this Rajashekar S et al (2017) has reported that majority of the mine workers in Karnataka had total work experience of five years. 13 The mean years of working in the present study was 16.71 ± 9.72 years which is lower than the mean years of work reported by Ahmad A (2015) 14 and Shamim M et al (2017).…”

“…3 Contrary to this Rajashekar S et al (2017) has reported that majority of the mine workers in Karnataka had total work experience of five years. 13 The mean years of working in the present study was 16.71 ± 9.72 years which is lower than the mean years of work reported by Ahmad A (2015) 14 and Shamim M et al (2017). 11 Mine workers were involved in various activities in the mines from drilling, blasting, cutting of stones to carrying the stones, loading the stones in the vehicles, cleaning of the waste material.…”

“…10,14,15 Mine workers of Southern part of India had relatively better educational status. 13 The proportion of illiteracy was significantly higher among the female workers compared to the male workers. Study also highlights that among family members of mine workers, more than half of the children between 14 to 18 year age group were dropped out from the schools.…”