Risk assessment of priesthood as an occupation in the religious city of India
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20204016Keywords:
Priest, Occupational injuries, UjjainAbstract
Background: Ujjain being a holy city with 327 registered temples, large numbers of people are indulged in priesthood as an occupation. Priests are more vulnerable for health-related problems as priesthood demands some characteristic working environment, i.e. closed, damped, smoky, noisy and crowded workplace. Aim of the study was to assess workplace environment of the priest along with occurrence of occupational injuries.
Method: A cross-sectional study done on registered Hindu priests. Total sample size was 440. Simple random sampling was done. Self-designed, pre-tested and semi-structured questionnaire including parameters like problem felt, job satisfaction, stress felt, working hours and occupational injuries were used for data collection by personal interview.
Results: 256 (58.2%) study participants encounter occupational injury. Problems felt at their workplace were- overcrowding 259 (58.9%), improper drainage system 48 (10.9%), unsafe drinking water 44 (10%), air pollution 25 (5.7%), inappropriate waste disposal 24 (5.5%), poor ventilation 24 (5.5%), no sick-room 8 (1.8%) and no toilets 8 (1.8%). Out of 440 study participants 132 (30.0%) were not satisfied with their job due to-less financial support 96 (22%), long duration of working hours 20 (4%) and stressful relations with co-workers 16(4%). 136 (30.9%) of study participants were stressed at their workplace. Statistically significant (p<0.05) association was seen between occurrence of occupational injuries and age, job satisfaction, working hours (overtime) and stress felt.
Conclusion: Most of the problems felt by study participants along with occupational injuries and job dissatisfaction occurred due to poor financial support, long working hours and stressful relations with co-workers.
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