Correlation of Working Hours with Morbidity in Working Professionals

Abstract

Introduction: In an era of accelerated economical progress, work culture is on a verge of change. Long working hours are soon becoming a common scenario in Indian work places. This change is said to affect the health of the population giving rise to non communicable diseases, of which diabetes and cardiovascular diseases are trending the list. Aim: The study aims to assess the correlation of working hours with morbidity related to chronic diseases in male working age population. Method: A cross sectional survey of male working population (n=320) engaged in full time sedentary work in public and private offices of Jaipur city of Rajasthan was carried out. The working hours were classified into two groups: those working for ? 48 hours/week (normal hours) and > 48 hours/week (long hours). An interview was conducted via an interview schedule to collect general and work related information while biomedical profile was assessed by drawing blood samples for the participants and assessing them in the lab. Results: A significant positive correlation of working hours with morbidity was found in male working age population for all biomedical parameters studied except HDL cholesterol. Conclusions: Working hours are found to have a significant positive linear relation with morbidity in working male population.