Epidemiology of respiratory diseases and associated factors among female textile workers in Pakistan

Abstract

Objective. The study aimed to estimate the prevalence of byssinosis and other respiratory symptoms among women textile workers and the associated risk factors in 18 spinning mills of Faisalabad and Lahore districts of Punjab, Pakistan. Method. In this case–control study of 1054 female workers, we used the dose–response function to measure the association between dust level and respiratory disorders in cotton textile workers. Results. Working overtime and long working hours per week are significantly associated with self-reported symptoms of byssinosis. Women’s age, marital status and wages were significantly associated with mitigating actions (seeing the doctor), while the education of the women was significantly associated with averting action (use of a mask). Conclusion. Regulating working hours and ensuring employees’ compliance with the safety standards are expected to mitigate the health problems of female workers.

Keywords:

• textile sector
• female labor force
• occupational health
• sickness absence

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Notes

1 It may be noted that it has been clinically confirmed that byssinosis is a cotton-specific disease (see, e.g., [17,27]).

2 EUR 100 = PKR 11,276.4; USD 100 = PKR 10,187.07.

Additional information

Funding

This work was funded by IFPRI under the Competitive Grants Program of the Pakistan Strategy Support Program vide CGP 3 ID No. 601.