Morbidity profile of cotton mill workers.

OBJECTIVE

To study the morbidity pattern among cotton mill workers.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted in cotton mills in Guntur District (AP) in January 2009 to May 2009. Total 474 workers were included in the study.

RESULTS

All study subjects were male. Most of the study subjects belonged to age group 30-40 years (56.96%) and lower socioeconomic status (36.09%) according to modified Kuppuswamy's classification. The literacy status was varied with 5.70% being illiterate and 37.13% were educated up to primary school. Most of workers were working in Ring frame (41.56%) and majority (58.44%) were working for the last 5-10 years. Mean height of study subjects was 147.42 cm and mean weight was 55.11 kg. The common morbid conditions found were eosinophilia (18.35%), iron deficiency anemia (28.90%), byssinosis grade 1 (7.80%), dental stains (6.54%), refractive errors (7.80%), chronic bronchitis (4.85%), and upper respiratory tract infection (8.64%).