Prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders and quality of life assessment among garment workers in Tiruppur district, Tamil Nadu

Objectives. The garment industry is a labour-intensive industry, with workers susceptible to musculoskeletal problems, especially those employed in smaller units that lack adequate occupational health provisions. This study aims to determine the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among workers in both large and small garment units and assess their quality of life (QoL). Methods. The study surveyed 746 garment workers, comprising 372 from large units and 374 from small units. Data were collected through the Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire and the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL)-BREF questionnaire, with posture analysis conducted using the rapid upper limb assessment (RULA) and rapid entire body assessment (REBA) scales. Results. The results showed that 32% of workers in large-scale garment units and 43.9% in small-scale garment units reported musculoskeletal symptoms. The occurrence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) was significantly associated with increasing age, smoking, alcohol consumption, job duration, working in shifts and moonlighting. Conclusion. The workers in the garment industry, particularly of small units, are highly susceptible to WMSDs.

Work-related stress and associated factors among garment workers in Bole Lemi Industrial Park of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a multi-center institution-based cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Work-related stress (WRS) is a growing problem around the world that affects the health and well-being of employees. However, evidence of work-related stress in Ethiopia, particularly among garment industry employees, is scarce. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of work-related stress among garment workers in the Bole Lemi industrial park in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

METHODS

A multi-center institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February 01 to March 31, 2021. A total of 605 study participants were selected using a stratified random sampling technique. A pre-tested, interviewer-administered standardized questionnaire was used to collect data. The logistic regression model was employed to identify determinant factors for work-related stress, and statistical significance was declared at a p-value < 0.05.

RESULTS

The magnitude of work-related stress in garment workers was 44.1% (95% CI: 40.0, 48.0). Being within the age group of 25 - 34 years (AOR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.36, 0.90) and receiving induction training (AOR = 0.35, CI: 0.20, 0.62) were protective factors with stress. Whereas lack of family support (AOR = 2.72, CI: 1.60, 4.64), lack of job satisfaction (AOR = 4.26, CI: 2.77, 6.57), and khat chewing (AOR = 3.14, CI: 1.35, 7.32) were positively associated with work-related stress.

CONCLUSION

Work-related stress is prevalent among garment workers in the study setting. Being between the ages of 25-34 years and receiving induction training were protective factors against stress, while a lack of family support, a lack of job satisfaction, and khat chewing practices were positively associated with work-related stress. Therefore, improving family support and job satisfaction, providing induction training during employment, and providing psychological support for substance users to bring about changes are mandatory in Bole Lemi Industrial Park, Ethiopia.

Burden of Neck Pain and Associated Factors Among Sewing Machine Operators of Garment Factories in Mekelle City, Northern Part of Ethiopia, 2018, A Cross-Sectional Study

Background

Neck pain is a major public health problem among sewing machine operators working in textile factories. Even though the textile industries are growing in number in Ethiopia, but there is a dearth of published studies on the prevalence of neck pain. Therefore, this study was aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of neck pain among sewing machine operators of garment factories in Mekelle city.

Method

An institutional-based cross-sectional study design was implemented among 297 sewing machine operators' working in garment factories in Mekelle city. A systematic random sampling technique was used. Data were collected through interviews and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science version 23. Finally, variables with 95% confidence interval (CI): p < 0.05 in the multivariate analysis were significantly declared.

Results

Two hundred ninety-seven sewing machine operators were enrolled, with 98.7% response rates. In this study, the 12-month prevalence rate of neck pain was found to be 42.3% (95% CI: 36.6%–47.9%), and variables like such as break time [adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 5.888, 95% CI: (2.775–12.493)], working hours per day [AOR: 6.495, 95% CI: (2.216–19.038)], static posture [AOR: 4.487, 95% CI (1.640–12.275)], and repetitive activity [AOR: 4.519, 95% CI:(2.057–9.924)] were associated with neck pain.

Conclusion

In this study, neck pain is a major public health problem. Continuous work without break time, working greater than 8 hours per day, sitting in the same position for greater than 2 hours, and high repetitive activities were found significantly associated with neck pain. Owners and governmental bodies need to focus on developing preventive strategies and safety guidelines.

Influence of socio-demographic factors on awareness of HIV/AIDS among Bangladeshi garment workers

The study was conducted to assess the level of awareness on HIV/AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) and the Influence of different socio-demographic factors among the garment workers in Bangladesh. This cross sectional study was carried out among 303 workers in three selected garment factories in Dhaka city from July 2010 to June 1011. Data were collected by face to face interview through a predesigned questionnaire containing desired information. The majority of workers (76.6%) were within the 17–19 years age group. The female respondents predominated (55.1%). A considerable number of the sample population (39.3%) completed the primary education. But majority belonged to low income group (68.4%), followed by the very low income group (22.4%). Almost everyone (98.3%) except five of the respondents heard the word HIV/AIDS and most of them (90.6%) knew that the disease is transmissible from person to person and mainly by sexual intercourse (78.9%). Only 28.2% had some idea about the sign symptoms of HIV. About (64.4%) thought that persons having heterosexual partners (including prostitutes) are high-risk groups. Though many (74.2%) of the respondents thought that HIV/AIDS is preventable, only 45% said HIV/AIDS is not curable. But 70.5% answered that death is the ultimate fate. The main source of information was radio/TV, newspaper. Unfortunately, 76.9% of the respondents had poor awareness while only 10.6% had good awareness. The level of awareness increased with age (p = <0.05). Though the male were slightly more aware than the female, the relationship is not statistically significant (p= > 0.05). Awareness among S.S.C. passed and above is quite more than the awareness of illiterate (p = <0.01). But there was no relation (p= > 0.05) of level of family income and living pattern with level of awareness. Even being a risk group the garment workers not much aware of HIV/AIDS. The level of awareness increased with age and literacy, which shows the window of opportunity for the policymakers that educational intervention program, may be effective for them.