Morbidity Audit of Women Beedi Workers in an Urban Fringe of West Bengal, India

Introduction: Literature has reported morbidity profiles for beedi workers in different parts of India. West Bengal is a place with a good number of beedi workers and only few number of studies have attempted to assess their overall morbidity. Aim: To find out the overall health status and presence of any morbidity among the beedi workers included in the study. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted among beedi workers from November 2016 to January 2017 in Kalyani, West Bengal. A predesigned, semi structured proforma was used to collect data on sociodemographic profile, awareness of hazards, systemic symptoms along with general and anthropometric examination. For measuring weight and Blood Pressure (BP), calibrated weighing scale and aneroid sphygmomanometer was used. Statistical analysis was done with SPSS Version 16.0. Chi-square value, odd's ratio, confidence interval was calculated for determining association. Results: A total of 103 women participated with mean (+/- SE) age of 38.69 (+/- 8.53) years. Literacy status was low; worked an average five hours a day, more than half (n=59,57.28%) started beedi consuming in the age range 15 to 25 years. One-third were in this job for more than 20 years. The proportions of most of the morbidities were quite high. Eye and musculoskeletal system related hazards were most common. Pallor was present in 20 (19.41%) workers. Two-third, (n=68) had more than normal BP and more than half were overweight. The association between the increase in BP and Body Mass Index (BMI) with increasing age of the workers was found to significant (p-value < 0.05). Conclusion: The study concludes that the health of the female workforce in an unorganised beedi industry is an important public health issue with worsened scenario of health related hazards.