A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY TO ASSESS THE AWARENESS REGARDING SILICOSIS AND ITS PREVENTION AMONG QUARRY WORKERS AT JODHPUR, WITH A VIEW TO DEVELOP INFORMATION BOOKLET

Abstract

Introduction- Silicosis is one of the oldest occupational lung disease, which is incurable and is caused by inhalation of dust containing free crystalline silica. Silicosis is preventable disease. Still this disease kills thousands of workers around the worlds every year. Various studies have should that the quarry workers due not having awareness regarding silicosis and its prevention. In this study, distribution of booklet among quarry workers is an attempt to improve the knowledge regarding silicosis and it/s prevention. Material and Methods - Quantitative descriptive survey study approach and non experimental research design was used.Total 100 quarry workers working in mining and residing in Jodhpur were selected by purposive sampling technique.Data collection by structured knowledge questionnaire and analysed by using descriptive and inferential statistics. Result - The findings of the study reveals that to the level of awareness shows that majority (52%) of the sample had above average, followed by 48% had below average awareness regarding silicosis and its prevention. However, demographic variables age and educational status indicates significant association with the level of awareness regarding silicosis and its prevention. Conclsion - The awareness of quarry workers regarding silicosis and its prevention have been above average regarding the causes and the management of the silicosis but in regarding the symptoms and prevention of the silicosis have been found below the average level. KEY WORDS - Awareness, Quarry Workers, Silicosis, Information Booklet