DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20221762

Prevalence and factors associated with occupational health problems among leather footwear manufacturing workers in Ambur town, Thirupathur district, Tamil Nadu, India

Judyangel D., Thilagavathi R., Prakash M.

Abstract


Background: In India, the leather footwear manufacturing sector contributes to a significant segment of leather products, and workers were exposed to a wide range of hazardous substances during the manufacturing process. The present study was conducted to identify the prevalence of various work-related health complaints and the factors associated with occupational health problems among leather footwear workers in Tamil Nadu. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 275 leather footwear workers in Ambur town, Thirupathur district, Tamil Nadu from June 2019 to July 2019. Data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire consisting of socio-demographic and workplace characteristics, work-related self-reported health complaints, and use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Descriptive analysis and multivariate analysis were performed to identify factors associated with work-related health problems at a 5% level of significance. Results: The study demonstrated a prevalence of 19.33% respiratory disorders, 16.4% skin ailments, and 37% musculoskeletal complaints. Workers involved in the scouring/finishing process had nearly two times the odds (95% CI: 0.977-3.923); workers who do not use PPE like gloves or masks had two times the odds (95% CI: 1.307-4.346); workers who reported inadequate windows/fans or blowers in their work station had four times the odds (95% CI: 1.421-12.413) and workers who reported lack of regular work training had 3.5 times odds (95% CI: 1.954-6.531) of occupational health problems. Conclusions: Implementation of strict protocols on the use of PPE, periodic monitoring and safety training should be regulated to prevent the workers from these health problems.

Keywords


Occupational Occupational diseases, Occupational health, Shoes manufacturing industryDiseases, Occupational Health, Shoes Manufacturing Industry

Full Text:

PDF

References


Gangopadhyay S, Ara T, Dev S, Ghoshal G, Das T. An occupational health study of the footwear manufacturing workers of Kolkata, India. Stud Ethno-Med. 2011;5(1):11-5.

Sarkar S. A case study on footwear industry in India. 2011. Available at: https://www.ihdindia.org/ Formal-and-Informal-Employment/Paper-4-A-Case-Study-of-Footwear-Industry-in-India.pdf. Accessed on 14 March 2022.

Vaithegi B. Labour process decentralised production system and labour market flexibility: A study of leather footwear industry in Ambur, Tamil Nadu. 2014. Available at: https://www.networkideas.org/ feathm/mar2007/PDF/Vaithegi.pdf. Accessed on 14 March 2022.

Todd L, Puangthongthub ST, Mottus K, Mihlan G, Wing S. Health survey of workers exposed to mixed solvent and ergonomic hazards in footwear and equipment factory workers in Thailand. Ann Occup Hyg. 2008;52:195-205.

Sallmen M, Neto M, Mayan ON. Reduced fertility among shoe manufacturing workers. Occup Env Med. 2008;65(8):518-24.

Szadkowska-Stańczyk I, Woźniak H, Stroszejn-Mrowca G. Health effects of occupational exposure among shoe workers. A review. Medycyna Pracy. 2003;54(1):67-71.

Febriana SA. Skin problems related to Indonesian leather and shoe production and the use of footwear in Indonesia. University of Groningen. 2015.

Simamora N, Soemarko DS, Yunus F. Analysis of obstruction of lung function in workers exposed to organic solvents at shoe factory. Int J Physics. 2018;1073(4):04.

Toru Ü, Arbak PM, Süner KÖ, Yavuz Ö, Karataş N. Relationship between respiratory tract complaints, functional status, and smoking in hairdressers, auto painters, and carpenters. Scientific World J. 2014;80275.

Mekonnen TH, Yenealem DG, Tolosa BM. Self-report occupational-related contact dermatitis: prevalence and risk factors among healthcare workers in Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia, 2018—a cross-sectional study. Env Health Prev Med. 2019;24(1):11.

Fernandes RD, da Silva Pataro SM, De Carvalho RB, Burdorf A. The concurrence of musculoskeletal pain and associated work-related factors: a cross sectional study. BMC Public Health. 2016;16(1):1-9.

de Almeida LB, Vieira ER, Zaia JE, de Oliveira Santos BM, Lourenço AR, Quemelo PR. Musculoskeletal disorders and stress among footwear industry workers. Work. 2017;56(1):67-73.

Deb AK, Chowdhury M, Azam FA, Hossain MI. Workers’ health and workplace condition evaluation of the footwear industries in Bangladesh. IOSR J Envi Sci Toxicol Food Technol. 2018;7-13.

Samsuzzaman MD, Bhattacharyya PK, Manna N, Das S. A comparative study on socio-demographic profile, working environment and morbidity profile among shoemakers and non-shoemakers in a slum area of Kolkata. IOSR J Dent Med Sci. 2014;13:38-41.

Nandanwar D, Narwane GS, Shinde RR, Doiphode RK. An Epidemiological cross-sectional study of morbidity profiles in workers engaged in leather footwear manufacturing unit, Mumbai City. Int J Adv Res. 2016;4(1):70-3.

Arunkumar Yogaraj G, Devi UR, Shankar UPM, Ravi R. A cross-sectional study on morbidity pattern among leather workers at Sripuram, Chennai. Res J Pharm Biological Chem Sci. 2014;5(5):1346-52.

Tiwari RR. Eyestrain in working children of footwear making units of Agra, India. Indian Pediatrics. 2013;50(4):411-3.




Bookmark and Share