A research study on morbidity including silicotuberculosis among the mine workers of Rajasthan

Background: Stone mines of Western Rajasthan are famous worldwide for its sandstone and white marble. In the drought-stricken state of Rajasthan (in particular in its Western part) mining provides essential support to livelihood generation to more than 2 million people. Mineworkers in these mines wo...

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Main Authors: Prakash Tyagi, Rajesh Mehta
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer – Medknow Publications 2013-07-01
Series:Journal of Integrated Health Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/2347-6486.239500
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author Prakash Tyagi
Rajesh Mehta
author_facet Prakash Tyagi
Rajesh Mehta
author_sort Prakash Tyagi
collection DOAJ
description Background: Stone mines of Western Rajasthan are famous worldwide for its sandstone and white marble. In the drought-stricken state of Rajasthan (in particular in its Western part) mining provides essential support to livelihood generation to more than 2 million people. Mineworkers in these mines work in unsafe conditions, are underpaid, undernourished and suffer with various health problems like silicosis and tuberculosis. This inspired us to estimate the morbidity profile of the mine workers in Jodhpur district of Rajasthan. Material and methods: Using purposive sampling, 221 workers who responded to an appeal for health check up at the various mines and/or at the residential habitats were selected and conducted between August 2009 and April 2010. The collected data was analyzed by using Epi Info3.4.1. Results: Age group of the workers was from 15 to 84 years. 28.6 % of workers were below the age of 30 years. 80 % and 52% of workers were addicted to tobacco and alcohol respectively. 25.33% of workers had past history of tuberculosis treatment. The various complaints of the workers were breathlessness (32.1%), chest pain (24.4%), cough (31.7%) etc. The miners were suffering from chronic respiratory tract infection (21.3%), silico-tuberculosis (11.3%), had digestive tract problem (24.4%), joint problems (23.3%) etc. Conclusions: Looking at poverty, lack of opportunity for other employment for livelihood, lack of health & legal monitoring, absence of treatment for silicosis etc., enormous efforts are required to prevent silicosis in new generation and handle the old cases in a humane manner. But preventable nature of conditions along with huge support of NRHM, voluntary organizations and research together can make a difference in these long lasting problems
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spelling doaj-art-3cb954b0f02c4f5fa14d66d60cb9b8422025-08-20T03:08:29ZengWolters Kluwer – Medknow PublicationsJournal of Integrated Health Sciences2347-64862347-64942013-07-0112868910.4103/2347-6486.239500A research study on morbidity including silicotuberculosis among the mine workers of RajasthanPrakash TyagiRajesh MehtaBackground: Stone mines of Western Rajasthan are famous worldwide for its sandstone and white marble. In the drought-stricken state of Rajasthan (in particular in its Western part) mining provides essential support to livelihood generation to more than 2 million people. Mineworkers in these mines work in unsafe conditions, are underpaid, undernourished and suffer with various health problems like silicosis and tuberculosis. This inspired us to estimate the morbidity profile of the mine workers in Jodhpur district of Rajasthan. Material and methods: Using purposive sampling, 221 workers who responded to an appeal for health check up at the various mines and/or at the residential habitats were selected and conducted between August 2009 and April 2010. The collected data was analyzed by using Epi Info3.4.1. Results: Age group of the workers was from 15 to 84 years. 28.6 % of workers were below the age of 30 years. 80 % and 52% of workers were addicted to tobacco and alcohol respectively. 25.33% of workers had past history of tuberculosis treatment. The various complaints of the workers were breathlessness (32.1%), chest pain (24.4%), cough (31.7%) etc. The miners were suffering from chronic respiratory tract infection (21.3%), silico-tuberculosis (11.3%), had digestive tract problem (24.4%), joint problems (23.3%) etc. Conclusions: Looking at poverty, lack of opportunity for other employment for livelihood, lack of health & legal monitoring, absence of treatment for silicosis etc., enormous efforts are required to prevent silicosis in new generation and handle the old cases in a humane manner. But preventable nature of conditions along with huge support of NRHM, voluntary organizations and research together can make a difference in these long lasting problemshttps://journals.lww.com/10.4103/2347-6486.239500silico-tuberculosisminershealth profilejodhpur
spellingShingle Prakash Tyagi
Rajesh Mehta
A research study on morbidity including silicotuberculosis among the mine workers of Rajasthan
Journal of Integrated Health Sciences
silico-tuberculosis
miners
health profile
jodhpur
title A research study on morbidity including silicotuberculosis among the mine workers of Rajasthan
title_full A research study on morbidity including silicotuberculosis among the mine workers of Rajasthan
title_fullStr A research study on morbidity including silicotuberculosis among the mine workers of Rajasthan
title_full_unstemmed A research study on morbidity including silicotuberculosis among the mine workers of Rajasthan
title_short A research study on morbidity including silicotuberculosis among the mine workers of Rajasthan
title_sort research study on morbidity including silicotuberculosis among the mine workers of rajasthan
topic silico-tuberculosis
miners
health profile
jodhpur
url https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/2347-6486.239500
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