Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development

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A Study on Factors Associated with the Deterioration of Respiratory Function among Male Textile Workers in Uttar Pradesh


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1 Department of Anthropology, Pondicherry University, Puducherry-605014, India
     

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Background: The textile and clothing sector in India is changing as a result of developing technology and economic conditions, with businesses restructuring, modernizing, and adapting to technological change. Reduction of respiratory function among Textile workers in the textile industry has been observed since the 1970s. A contaminant of raw cotton fiber and cotton dust, has been proposed as a affecting agent that may deteriorate the respiratory function. Present study aimed to find the factors associated with the deterioration of respiratory function among male Textile workers.

Methods: The sample consisted of 253 men above the age of 20 years who had worked for at least 3 months in a textile factory and 245 male Non Textile workers of same area were studied. All the respondents were interviewed by a pretested questionnaire to gather information regarding the chest symptoms, certain personal characteristics and occupational history. Statistical analyses like Chi-square and odds ratio was done to determine the significant difference between male Textile Workers and male Non Textile Workers.

Results: Univariate analysis of the factors for symptomatic byssinosis showed that dusty worksites, heavy smoking and duration of service years were significant. Logistic regression analysis showed that working in the scouring (odds ratio 11.6), spinning (odds ratio 4.68) and weaving sections (odds ratio 2.8), heavy smoking (odds ratio 11.9) and more than 10 years of service (odds ratio 2.3) were independent significant risk factors.

Conclusion: Efforts to reduce dust levels in the working environment and to discourage smoking among textile workers need to be strengthened to minimize the risk of developing byssinosis.


Keywords

Occupational Health, Respiratory Functions, Textiles Workers, Working Environment
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  • A Study on Factors Associated with the Deterioration of Respiratory Function among Male Textile Workers in Uttar Pradesh

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Authors

Ajeet Jaiswal
Department of Anthropology, Pondicherry University, Puducherry-605014, India

Abstract


Background: The textile and clothing sector in India is changing as a result of developing technology and economic conditions, with businesses restructuring, modernizing, and adapting to technological change. Reduction of respiratory function among Textile workers in the textile industry has been observed since the 1970s. A contaminant of raw cotton fiber and cotton dust, has been proposed as a affecting agent that may deteriorate the respiratory function. Present study aimed to find the factors associated with the deterioration of respiratory function among male Textile workers.

Methods: The sample consisted of 253 men above the age of 20 years who had worked for at least 3 months in a textile factory and 245 male Non Textile workers of same area were studied. All the respondents were interviewed by a pretested questionnaire to gather information regarding the chest symptoms, certain personal characteristics and occupational history. Statistical analyses like Chi-square and odds ratio was done to determine the significant difference between male Textile Workers and male Non Textile Workers.

Results: Univariate analysis of the factors for symptomatic byssinosis showed that dusty worksites, heavy smoking and duration of service years were significant. Logistic regression analysis showed that working in the scouring (odds ratio 11.6), spinning (odds ratio 4.68) and weaving sections (odds ratio 2.8), heavy smoking (odds ratio 11.9) and more than 10 years of service (odds ratio 2.3) were independent significant risk factors.

Conclusion: Efforts to reduce dust levels in the working environment and to discourage smoking among textile workers need to be strengthened to minimize the risk of developing byssinosis.


Keywords


Occupational Health, Respiratory Functions, Textiles Workers, Working Environment

References