Epidemiological study of ocular morbidities in salt pan worker in Mumbai

Abstract

Introduction : India is third largest producer of salt in the world after USA and China.Salt crystals affect human body through various physical agents like UV light exposure, glare, salinity of water, soaking of feet in saline water. A study of ocular health problems in salt pan workers at Mumbai was conducted. Aims & Objectives: To study the socio-demographic profile of salt pan workers,to assess the point prevalence of ocular morbidities in salt pan workers, to study the association between duration of salt works and presence of ophthalmic symptoms and to study the association between use of Personal Protective Equipmentslike goggles, shoes and caps and presence of opthalmological symptoms. Materials & Methods : The present study is a Cross sectional study and 385 study sujects were enrolled. Mumbai has about seven salt pans at following sites: Wadala, Mankhurd, Kanjurmarg, Ghatkopar ,Chembur, Dhahisar, and Mulund. Individual who were working with dry salt (non-brine workers) and those working in a brine plant (Brine workers) were chosen for the study after taking informed consent. Sampling method : Systematic random sampling method, Study tools Interview schedule and Clinical examination, Inclusion criteria: Salt pan workers who worked for more than six months. Statistical Analysis: SPSS version 15.0. The data was analyzed using ‘Chi square test’ Duration of study : 18 months, from August 2011 to January 2014. Results and conclusion: Overall prevalence of ophthalmological symptoms was 57.1 percent. The prevalence of pterygium increased with duration of employment in saltwork

Keywords

• ophthalmic symptoms
• salt pan workers
• pterygium