Occupational Health Hazards of Unburnt Tobacco among the 1039 Rural Women Beedi Rollers in the Northern Districts of Telangana State

Abstract

Background: Women roll beedis from a young age and expose continuously to unburnt tobacco dust for many years. Due to poverty, ignorance, and lack of literacy, women and young individuals engage in less profitable occupation. The study was conducted in a large sample to know the occupational health morbidities in rural women. Materials and Methods: Women beedi rollers and nonbeedi rollers living in villages of Jagitial and Nizamabad districts were selected for the study. Individuals who signed consent are interviewed about their health profile using a predesigned standard questionnaire. Result: A high frequency of general health problems was observed in the present study. Hypertension, body pains, and headache are the most prevalent health issues observed in more than half of beedi rollers. Conclusion: Awareness programs must be implemented to decrease the health hazards and provide alternate job opportunities for better health.