A Study of Prevalance of Morbities in Door to Door Waste Collecting Workers of Surat City, Gujarat
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Objective: In present work attempt has been made to study the prevalence of morbidities among door to door waste collecting workers.
Study Area: Surat city workers working at Pal, Umarpada, Bhatar, Anjana, Vastadevdi and Pandesara transfer station were selected for study purpose.
Method: A cross sectional study was carried out for 292 workers of Surat city who are involved in daily door to door waste collecting activity implemented under MSW 2000 rule. 93 workers who are working in office (not coming in touch of waste) were selected as non exposed group. Workers age, sex, social economic condition, habits and other relevant information for health survey were obtained separately. Respiratory symptoms data were collected using ATS- DLD standard questionnaires. Data were also collected for acute irritative symptoms, musculoskeletal symptoms and gastrointestinal symptoms.
Result and Conclusion: The data were analyzed with reference to symptoms, habits. For comparison odds ratio was calculated. Results indicate that door to door waste collecting workers are having potential risk for the development of chronic respiratory symptoms (cough, phlegm, wheezing and chronic bronchitis). They are also having higher risk for musculoskeletal symptoms (low back pain, elbow/wrist pain) and injuries caused by sharp objects.
Keywords
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