A Study of Health Profile among Construction Workers in Ahmedabad City, Gujarat

Research Question: What are the prevalence, nature and factors contributing to the health complaints/conditions among construction workers?

Objectives: (1) To know the prevalence rate of various diseases/conditions among the construction workers. (2) To know the nature of health complaints among the construction workers. (3) To study the factors contributing to such complaints/conditions.

Methodology: Sixteen construction sites were selected randomly from four geographical zones of Ahmedabad city.

Participants: 240 construction workers selected randomly from 16 construction sites form the study population. They were interviewed with pre-tested proforma and information related to health complaints and sickness found during Nov-Dec 2004 and Jan 2005 was collected.

Results: Prevalence rate of pain in limbs (69.93%; Z=5.34, p<0.05) and skin infection (56.44%) was higher in male workers while complaints like headache and breathlessness (Z=2.27, p<0.05) was found to be 3-4 times more in female workers than male workers. Workers with more than 4 years duration of work had significantly higher complaints of pain in limbs (Z=4.5, p<0.05), backache (Z=6.45, p<0.05) and breathlessness (Z=3.16, p<0.05). On examination, anaemia was diagnosed clinically in 83.12% of female workers and about two-third of male workers. Prevalence of anaemia was highest in workers with work duration of 1-4 years (86.74%) followed by those working for more than 4 years group (73.33%).

Conclusion: Pain in limbs and skin infection were the significant health complaints alongwith headache, breathlessness and backache among construction workers. Anaemia was the significant health problem along with skin disease and respiratory infection among workers.