Occupational Health Problems and Healthcare Seeking Behaviour among Power-loom Workers

Authors

  • Md Golam Abbas Assistant Professor, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health (OEH), National Institute of Preventive and Social Medicine (NIPSOM), Mohakhali, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh.
  • Tawfika Rahman Jishan MPH Fellow, Dept. of Occupational & Environmental Health, NIPSOM, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
  • Shoara Yasmin MPH Fellow, Dept. of Occupational & Environmental Health, NIPSOM, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
  • Ummay Thamima MPH Fellow, Dept. of Occupational & Environmental Health, NIPSOM, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
  • Sinthea Islam MPH Fellow, Dept. of Occupational & Environmental Health, NIPSOM, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
  • Muhammad Syeeful Ameen Assistant Professor, Dept. of Paediatrics, Sheikh Hasina Medical College, Jamalpur, Bangladesh.
  • Md Shafiur Rahman Associate Professor, Dept. of Occupational & Environmental Health, NIPSOM, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3329/emcj.v8i2.69701

Keywords:

Occupational health problem, healthcare seeking behaviour, power-loom worker, Bangladesh.

Abstract

Background: Power-looms sector plays a significant role in the economic growth of Bangladesh. Occupational health problem is a burning issue for developing and developed countries whose economies are dependent on labour-intensive industrial sectors, such as the power-loom sector.

Materials &Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the occupational health problems and health care seeking behaviour among 332 power-loom workers working in Sirajganj district, Bangladesh through face-to-face interviews by a pretested semi-structured questionnaire.

Results: The mean age of the power-loom workers was 31.7±10.4 years and a considerable number of participants (28.9%) had no formal education. Most workers (85.5%) were full-time power-loom workers, which is relevant to factors connected to health concerns and healthcare seeking behaviours. The mean working hours were 12.4±3.1 hours, working days were 6.0±0.3 days and 47.9% of the respondents reported feeling stressed while at work. Most of the power-loom workers (91.9%) were dependent on allopathic treatment. Many of the workers (78.3%) believed that their government did not provide a hospital and that NGOs only operated in a limited capacity (16.3%). It was stated that there was no maternity leave or allowance for the 100% female workforce. Presence of emergency measures was available opined by the half of the workers (49.1%). Lower back pain, neck discomfort, and upper back pain were the three most common musculoskeletal conditions, and they were substantially correlated with worker age and working hours.

Conclusion: The study concludes that power-loom workers are prone to develop musculoskeletal problems and strategies need to be developed to limit the problem and to promote their health.

Eastern Med Coll J. July 2023; 8 (2):54-60

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Published

2023-11-23

How to Cite

Abbas, M. G. ., Jishan, T. R. ., Yasmin, S. ., Thamima, U. ., Islam, S. ., Ameen, M. S. ., & Rahman, M. S. . (2023). Occupational Health Problems and Healthcare Seeking Behaviour among Power-loom Workers. Eastern Medical College Journal, 8(2), 54–60. https://doi.org/10.3329/emcj.v8i2.69701

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Original Article