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Seidu RK, Ofori EA, Eghan B, Fobiri GK, Afriyie AO, Acquaye R. A systematic review of work-related health problems of factory workers in the textile and fashion industry. J Occup Health 2024; 66:uiae007. [PMID: 38289711 PMCID: PMC10964409 DOI: 10.1093/joccuh/uiae007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to present a systematic review of the health-related problems of factory workers in the textile and fashion industry. These workers endure long sitting postures, poor workspace conditions, and long working hours to complete their overload of tasks. This situation results in several health problems that affect the productivity, mental health, and well-being of the workers. METHODS The relevant data (21 article publications) were obtained from the Scopus database. Analysis of the 21 articles was grouped under 3 research themes based on the critical reading of the content and abstracts: respiratory problems, musculoskeletal disorders, and psychological stressors and other health issues. RESULTS The findings show that factory workers are exposed to dust particles of cotton and other raw materials, fumes, and chemicals from manufacturing processes. This prolonged exposure without the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) leads to respiratory diseases like byssinosis that affect the workers' health. Additionally, working in a particular posture due to the workstation design for prolonged hours causes musculoskeletal disorders or pains. Workers also suffer from anxiety, depression, and stress from workload and pressure, hence making them unstable with reduced productivity. CONCLUSIONS The findings of the study reinforce the need for a safe workspace and spacious work environment, provision of PPE, training in occupational hazards, frequent health checks, and ergonomic assessment of workstations to reduce prolonged work postures. Stakeholders, employers, policymakers, and governments should collaborate to safeguard and protect the well-being and health of the workers at these factories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raphael Kanyire Seidu
- School of Fashion and Textiles, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Emmanuel Abankwah Ofori
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, Hubei University of Automotive Technology, Shiyan, 442002, Hubei, China
| | - Benjamin Eghan
- Department of Industrial Art, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, AOK447, Ghana
| | - George Kwame Fobiri
- Department of Fashion Design and Textiles Studies, Kumasi Technical University, Kumasi, AK040, Ghana
| | - Alex Osei Afriyie
- Department of Industrial Art, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, AOK447, Ghana
| | - Richard Acquaye
- Department of Textile Design and Technology, Takoradi Technical University, Takoradi, WK200, Ghana
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ELSHAER NOHA, FODA NERMIN, SHEHATA SAMEH. Respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function impairment among textile industry workers in Alexandria, Egypt. J Public Health Afr 2023; 14:2741. [PMID: 38020280 PMCID: PMC10658460 DOI: 10.4081/jphia.2023.2741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Occupational exposure to cotton dust is still an important cause of respiratory problems in textile workers particularly in less developed countries like Egypt. Evaluate respiratory symptoms and diseases, and pulmonary function pattern among Egyptian textile workers. Cross sectional comparative study was conducted from December 2019 to September 2020 in a textile factory in Egypt; 364 male workers (184 cotton dust exposed workers, and 180 unexposed workers) were included. Participants were subjected to an interviewing questionnaire, British Medical Research Council questionnaire, anthropometric measurements, pulmonary function tests, and byssinosis grading format. Descriptive and analytic statistics were conducted. Chronic cough, phlegm production, and shortness of breath grade I, II and III were more reported in cotton dust exposed workers than unexposed workers (P#x003C;0.01, P#x003C;0.01, and P=0.02, respectively). Prevalence of chronic bronchitis was significantly higher among cotton dust exposed workers (12%) than unexposed workers (3.9%) (P#x003C;0.01). The mean percent predicted values of lung function indices reflecting large-1irway function (VC, FVC, FEV1, FEV1%, PEFR, and FEF75) were significantly lower in cotton dust exposed workers (P#x003C;0.01). Prevalence of byssinosis was 22.8%. Workers with byssinosis had significantly higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms, chronic bronchitis, cross-shift reduction in PEFR and significant decrease in mean percent predicted values of FVC, FEV1, PEFR, FEF75, and FEF50 than workers without byssinosis. This study revealed a substantial association between cotton dust exposure at work and respiratory symptoms and morbidity. Regular measurement of cross shift change in PEFR is recommended among exposed workers for early diagnosis of byssinosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- NOHA ELSHAER
- Industrial Medicine and Occupational Health, Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Egypt
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Derso Y, Dagnew B, Akalu Y, Getu AA, Getnet M, Yeshaw Y. Pulmonary function, respiratory symptoms and associated factors among cotton-ginning workers at Gondar city, Northwest Ethiopia: a comparative cross-sectional study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY, PATHOPHYSIOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2021; 13:140-147. [PMID: 34868464 PMCID: PMC8611241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cotton dust is one of the risk factors for occupational respiratory diseases, a condition characterized by reduced pulmonary function and overwhelming respiratory symptoms. Therefore, this study aimed to determine pulmonary function parameters, respiratory symptoms, and associated factors among cotton-ginning workers at Gondar city, northwest Ethiopia. METHODS A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted on 166 (83 cotton-ginning workers and 83 healthy controls) individuals. Simple random sampling and convenience sampling techniques were used to recruit cotton-ginning workers and controls, respectively. Pulmonary function parameters were measured using Spirometer. Data on respiratory symptoms were collected using the Modified American Thoracic Society questionnaire. We used Chi-square (χ2) and independent "t" test to compare the outcome variables between the two groups. Binary logistic regression was used to identify the associated factors of respiratory symptoms among cotton-ginning workers. The strength of association was determined using an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with its 95% confidence interval (CI) and statistical significance was decided at P<0.05. RESULTS Cotton-ginning workers had reduced FVC, FVC%, FEV1, FEV1/FVC%, PEFR and FEF25-75%) as compared with controls. The prevalence of overall respiratory symptom was 68.6% (95% CI: 57.8, 77.8) among cotton-ginning workers and 19.2% (95% CI: 12, 29.3) among controls. Females (AOR=5.9, 95% CI: 1.19, 29.9), those with primary and secondary education (AOR=7.9, 95% CI: 1.2, 52), working at ginning department (AOR=9.4, 95% CI 1.6, 53) and pressing department (AOR=8.0, 95% CI: 1.3, 48) and not using personal protective equipment (PPE) (AOR=9.1, 95% CI: 1.8, 45.1) had an increased odds of having respiratory symptoms. CONCLUSION Reduced pulmonary function parameters and a higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms were observed among cotton-ginning workers than controls. This suggests the need to tailor workplace safety measures to prevent occupational respiratory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonas Derso
- Department of Human Physiology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arba Minch UniversityP. O. Box 21, Arba Minch, Ethiopia
| | - Baye Dagnew
- Department of Human Physiology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of GondarP. O. Box 196, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Yonas Akalu
- Department of Human Physiology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of GondarP. O. Box 196, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Ayechew Adera Getu
- Department of Human Physiology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of GondarP. O. Box 196, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Mihret Getnet
- Department of Human Physiology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of GondarP. O. Box 196, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Yigizie Yeshaw
- Department of Human Physiology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of GondarP. O. Box 196, Gondar, Ethiopia
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of GondarP. O. Box 196, Gondar, Ethiopia
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Daba Wami S, Chercos DH, Dessie A, Gizaw Z, Getachew A, Hambisa T, Guadu T, Getachew D, Destaw B. Cotton dust exposure and self-reported respiratory symptoms among textile factory workers in Northwest Ethiopia: a comparative cross-sectional study. J Occup Med Toxicol 2018; 13:13. [PMID: 29636789 PMCID: PMC5883265 DOI: 10.1186/s12995-018-0194-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2017] [Accepted: 03/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cotton dust induced respiratory disorders are dramatically increased over the globe, especially the problem is serious in developing countries. Respiratory symptoms, such as cough, phlegm, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, chronic bronchitis, and byssinosis are common among workers exposed to cotton dust. However, in Ethiopia, the magnitude of the problem is not well known and information is limited about the risk factors. Therefore, this study was aimed to assess the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and associated factors. Methods A Comparative cross-sectional study design was employed. A total of 413 (276 exposed and 137 unexposed) participants were included in the study. Stratified and simple random sampling techniques were used to select exposed and unexposed groups to cotton dust respectively. Multivariable binary logistic regression analyses was performed to identify variables associated with respiratory symptoms and adjusted odds ratio (AOR) was used to determine the strength of associations. Significance level was obtained at 95% confidence interval (CI) and p-value ≤0.05. Results The prevalence of self-reported respiratory symptoms was 47.8% (95% CI: 41.3, 53.7%) and 15.3% (95% CI: 9.6, 22.3%) among exposed and control groups respectively. Sex (AOR = 2.1, 95% CI: 1.29, 3.45), service year (AOR = 2.38, 95% CI: 1.19, 4.71) and ventilation (AOR = 2.4, 95% CI: 1.17, 4.91) were factors significantly associated with respiratory symptoms. Furthermore, working department such as; ginning (AOR = 5.1, 95% CI: 2.13, 12.16), spinning (AOR = 4.96, 95% CI: 2.18, 11.29), weaving (AOR = 5.9, 95% CI: 2.46, 14.27) and blowing working departments (AOR = 5.14, 95% CI: 1.4, 18.94) were significantly associated with respiratory disorders. Conclusions The prevalence of self-reported respiratory symptoms was higher among workers exposed to cotton dust than unexposed workers. Sex, service year, working department and work unit ventilation were predictor variables for respiratory symptoms. Thus, reducing exposure to dust, adequate ventilation and improving the hygiene of working departments are needed to reduce respiratory symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sintayehu Daba Wami
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety, Institute of Public Health, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Daniel Haile Chercos
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety, Institute of Public Health, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Awrajaw Dessie
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety, Institute of Public Health, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Zemichael Gizaw
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety, Institute of Public Health, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Atalay Getachew
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety, Institute of Public Health, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Tesfaye Hambisa
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety, Institute of Public Health, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Tadese Guadu
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety, Institute of Public Health, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Dawit Getachew
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety, Institute of Public Health, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Bikes Destaw
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety, Institute of Public Health, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
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Anyfantis ID, Rachiotis G, Hadjichristodoulou C, Gourgoulianis KI. Respiratory Symptoms and Lung Function among Greek Cotton Industry Workers: A Cross-Sectional Study. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE 2017; 8:32-38. [PMID: 28051194 PMCID: PMC6679635 DOI: 10.15171/ijoem.2017.888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2016] [Accepted: 09/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Background: Workers in cotton industry are occupationally exposed to various dust-related hazards. The nature of these agents and the respective exposure levels depend on the cotton industry specific sector. These exposures could be associated with respiratory symptoms and changes in lung function parameters. Objective: To evaluate associations between occupational exposure and respiratory function as well as reported symptoms in several groups of workers at different stages of the cotton industry in a vertical approach that covers all the major sectors—from cotton ginning to weaving and fabric production. Methods: A questionnaire on respiratory symptoms and individual as well as workplace characteristics was completed by 256 workers at the cotton industry and 148 office workers (control group). Both groups underwent spirometry. Results: Workers in cotton industry reported a higher prevalence of severe dyspnea (p=0.002) and wheezing (p=0.004) compared to the control group. Also they were found to have a lower predicted FEV1% (p<0.029) and lower FEV1/FVC (p<0.001) values. In addition, a higher prevalence of FEV1% <80% (p<0.001) and FEV1/FVC <70% (p=0.041) were found among textile workers. Similar results were found for non-smoker textile workers compared to non-smoker control group workers. Those working in cotton ginning mills recorded the highest decrease of spirometric values. Duration of employment in cotton industry and smoking use were found to be predictors of lung function decline for cotton industry workers. Conclusion: Occupational exposure to cotton dust was associated with increased prevalence of respiratory symptoms and obstructive pattern in pulmonary function test.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis D Anyfantis
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University of Thessaly Medical School, Biopolis, Larissa 41110, Greece.
| | - Georgios Rachiotis
- Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa 41222, Greece
| | - Cristos Hadjichristodoulou
- Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa 41222, Greece
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