Title: A Cross Sectional Study of Socio – Demographic and Morbidity Profile of Brick Kiln Workers in Rural Area of Karad, in Satara District
Authors: Dr Sujata Patil, Dr Prakash Durgawale, Savsaviya Ram Gordhanbhal
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v5i1.20
Abstract
Introduction - As brick industry is an unorganized sector, people working there are exposed to many environmental and occupational hazards along with economic exploitation. To study all these factors study was undertaken in a rural area.
Objectives – To study the socio-demographic factors, morbidity profile, living and working conditions and compare it with other occupations.
Materials and Methods - This cross sectional-observational study was conducted on brick workers from Karad Taluka. Amongst 8 villages with brick kiln industries one village i.e. Karve was selected randomly. According to the calculated sample size, 80 study subjects (brick kiln workers) were available in that village itself. Controls were selected from the same village Karve who were not engaged in brick kiln work and were matched according to age, sex and socioeconomic status. Data was collected with the help of pre-designed, pretested and validated questionnaire from the study subjects and controls.
Statistical Analysis was done by calculating rates, ratios, percentages and Chi-square test.
Results – 51 were males and 29 were females in study group, amongst them 7 were children below 14 years. 55% belong to socioeconomic class 4. 71.25% were illiterates. Working hours were more than 8 hours in 50% of brick kiln workers. Addiction was significantly higher. No benefits, health and welfare facilities were provided to them. Morbidities were higher in this group. They had to work in open environment. Living conditions were poor. Accidents were more than controls.
Keywords – Brick kiln workers, occupational hazards, unorganized sector.
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