Prevalence of Skin and Respiratory Diseases in the Workers of Bird Markets

摘要

Occupational health and safety is concerned with the safety, health and welfare of people engaged in work or employment. The majority of workers are facing occupational health problems in developing as well as in developed countries. Workers of bird markets are at higher risk of suffering from occupational skin and respiratory diseases. The present study was conducted to find out the prevalence of skin and respiratory diseases in the workers of bird markets. Study was based on survey, data collection through questionnaire and checklist, measurement of environmental parameters and also of lung function test of workers. Physical hazards, chemical hazards and ergonomic hazards were also observed. About 80% workers reported skin, and 77.7% reported respiratory diseases. Lung function test values (Mean FEV1% in summer: 57.9%, Mean FEV1/ FVC (%) in summer: 76.3%) (Mean FEV1% in winter: 53.2%, Mean FEV1/ FVC (%) in winter: 68.6%) were lower as compared to standard values. Majority of the workers were identified with restrictive defects which indicated prevalence of respiratory hazards in the bird markets. Workers health worsens during winter as they did not use the personal protective equipment. The present study may provide a baseline for further studies in this field.