Occupational hazards under a warmer planet: A cross-sectional study on occupational dermatitis, musculoskeletal disorders, and heat strain score index among construction workers at Kottayam, Kerala

Abstract

Background: Global climate change has a major impact on occupational health. Construction workers are the most vulnerable group to work under a warmer planet. Potential health consequences to them include occupational skin diseases, musculoskeletal diseases, respiratory problems, cancers, mental health disorders, and infectious diseases. The incidence of occupational dermatitis and work-related musculoskeletal diseases is at its peak. This study aimed to bring out the burden of the above-mentioned occupational diseases among construction workers at Kottayam and also to calculate their heat strain score index as they are the most vulnerable group to work under a warmer planet. Objectives: To assess the prevalence of work related occupational dermatitis and musculoskeletal disorders among construction workers and also to calculate their heat strain score index. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 82 (n = 82) construction workers in Kottayam, Kerala. Purposive sampling was done. Validated, standard questionnaires were used to collect data by interview method, followed by clinical examination. Data were entered and analyzed in SPSS version 23. Results: Eighty-two construction workers participated in the present study. A total of 62% were migrants, and 38% were Keralites. Among 82 workers, nine (11%) of them reported having hand eczema and eight of them (9.8%) reported having wrist eczema. Neck pain (18.3%) and low back ache (18.3%) were the most common musculoskeletal symptoms. Heat strain score index of the workers was calculated. A total of 69.5% were in the green zone, 28% were in the yellow zone, and 2.5% were in the red zone. Conclusion: Construction workers are highly exposed to the risk of getting work-related occupational dermatitis and musculoskeletal disorders. The most common occupational skin complaint among these construction workers was itchy rash (12.2%). The overall prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms was 51.2%. Neck pain and low backache were the most common musculoskeletal symptoms. On the calculation of heat strain score index, these workers were found to have a higher heat strain score index. A total of 28% in the yellow/alarm zone and 2.5% in the red/danger zone. Statistically significant association was established between the intensity of physical work (P = 0.0001) and the intensity of thirst (P = 0.001) with the total heat strain score.

Keywords

• construction workers; heat strain score index; musculoskeletal disorders; occupational diseases