Health Status of Cotton-ginning Workers in Central India: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Cotton ginning is an important industry in Central India, employing a significant number of workers. The cotton-ginning industry is associated with various occupational health hazards, including exposure to cotton dust, which can lead to respiratory problems such as byssinosis. In addition, cotton-ginning workers are also exposed to workplace stress, which can have negative impacts on their physical and mental health. Aims: The aim of this cross-sectional study is to assess the health status of cotton-ginning workers in Central India. Methodology: A total of 285 cotton-ginning workers from various factories in Central India were recruited for this study. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, occupational characteristics, presence of byssinosis, and workplace stress were collected through a structured questionnaire. The Roach and Schilling criteria for byssinosis were used to assess the presence of this byssinosis. Workplace stress was assessed using the Workplace Stress Scale, which is a validated tool for assessing stress in occupational settings. Data were analyzed using R software 4.2.2. Results: The majority of cotton-ginning workers were female (71.2%) and had a primary level of education (51.3%). Most workers (77.54%) had been employed in the industry for 1-5 years, and the majority of workers (55.8%) worked as helpers. Only 4.21% of workers reported having byssinosis. The majority of workers (63.51%) reported lower levels of workplace stress, while a small proportion (3.16%) reported severe levels of workplace stress. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that the health status of cotton-ginning workers in Central India is relatively good. However, there is a need to implement appropriate occupational health and safety measures which are inclusive of all workers, not just machine operators.