European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Introduction : .  Respiratory problem are fairly common among Marble stone cutting workers, many of them work without any preventive gears / PPEs & lack of awareness about the harmful effects  results in poor quality of life and also financial burden to their families. Purpose of study was to to determine the magnitude of respiratory morbidities and impairment of lung function in marble stone cutting workers and to promote occupational health safety among them.
 
Methods: : This was an analytical cross sectional study done in stone cutting workers in Bhedaghat, Jabalpur for 3 months. Data related to socio demographic characteristics, occupational history, work environment, respiratory symptoms and spirometry findings were collected and analysed. The inclusion criteria included individuals working as stone cutting workers for more than 5 years at the time of study For all numerical variables, Pearson’s correlation test was used. For all categorical variables, the Chi‑square test and Fisher’s exact test were used. A P less 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: The most common respiratory symptom reported was Chronic cough (19%). Spirometry revealed that 64% of participants had abnormal (impaired) lung function test. Duration of work (in years), working hours per day, and use of PPE were significantly associated with abnormal pulmonary function test (p < 0.05)
Conclusions : Data from our study suggest that  duration of the years of work as stone cutting worker had a significant association with the pulmonary function, so periodic screening and effective use of PPE is recommended.