Chronic diseases and trauma among low-income workers of Karachi, Pakistan

Abstract

Background: The self-efficacy of individuals is influenced by experiences in the community, the workplace, and in broader civil society, all of which exert a collective influence on attitudes and behaviors. The low-income population is more likely to suffer from many chronic health problems and trauma. This study was done to assess the prevalence of chronic diseases and workplace physical trauma among low-income workers in Karachi, Pakistan . Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted in Karachi, Pakistan. Trained interviewers used a structured questionnaire to interview 707 workers and collected information on socio-demographic characteristics, chronic health problems and physical trauma among them. The data were analysed using SPSS version 18. Results: Majority (72%) of the participants were aged between 15 and 35 years. More than one-third (35.1%) were educated up to secondary level only. Half of the participants (50.8%) had a household comprising 6-10 people, while 34.8% of the respondents were the only breadwinners in their family. Two fifths (39.5%) reported a household income between Rs11000 and Rs 20000 per month. A significant number (21%) of workers reported being diagnosed with a chronic disease including Diabetes Mellitus, Asthma, Hepatitis, Arthritis, Hypertension, Hyperlipidemia, Hypothyroidism, Epilepsy, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, whereas three fourths (75%) reported physical trauma history at their work place during the past year, while majority (95.2%) of them looked apparently healthy . Conclusions: These chronic health conditions not only affect their productivity but play a vicious role in poverty and poor health cycle. The findings of the present study cannot be generalized due to the limited sample. Still, the study supports the notion that factors such as low socioeconomic status may lead to the poor management of physical trauma and course of chronic diseases. Future research should direct attention toward workers' health and working conditions to improve the effectiveness of the interventions to reduce the disparities in provision of health services for the low-income workers.