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RFP Journal of Biochemistry and Biophysics

Volume  4, Issue 1, January-June 2019, Pages 15-19
 

Original Article

Assessment of Health Status among Mine Workers of Maharashtra

Umesh Dhumne1, Shalvin Nimje2, Sarang Dhatrak3, Subroto Nandi4, Shilpa Ingole5, Shweta Gupta6

1Scientific Officer, 2Research Scientist, 3Assistant Director, 4Assistant Director, 5Scientific Officer, 6Senior Scientific Assistant, Dept. of Occupational Medicine, National Institute of Miners’ Health, Wadi, Nagpur, Maharashtra 440027, India.

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Abstract

Mine workers are exposed to harsh working condition as they carry out numerous activities with variable exposure which is hazardous to their health in various ways. This study was conducted on 97 randomly selected workers from two different mines of Maharashtra for the assessment of health status. To determine the health status of each worker, weight and height was measured by standard procedure and underwent medical examination and various clinical investigations. Data analysis was performed using Microsoft excel and online Graph Pad statistical software. Majority (80.4%) of the workers belonged to the age group of 30-50 years. Comparatively underweight (22.6%) workers were found more as compared to overweight and obese (12.3%) workers. 30.9% workers had hearing loss of which 9.27% had noise induced hearing loss (NIHL). 8.24% workers had respiratory impairment. Overall prevalence of anaemia was found to be 19.5%. Electrocardiography (ECG) results showed 11.3% workers had significant ECG changes. 19.5% workers were having high blood pressure while one worker each had diabetes and hypertriglyceridemia. 6.18% workers had refractive error. Urine analysis showed that 1 (1.03%) worker was having glycosuria and 5 (5.15%) workers having urinary tract infection. On evaluation of chest X-rays no case of pneumoconiosis and other abnormality was found in the mine worker. Present study suggests that NIHL and respiratory impairment is an important health problem in these mine workers. There is need of periodical medical examination of workers and awareness programme to educate mine workers regarding occupational and nonoccupational problems should be regularly arranged.

Keywords: Mining Industry; Mine worker; Health status; Respiratory impairment; NIHL.


Corresponding Author : Shalvin Nimje