Occupational Health Hazards of Rickshaw Pullers in Lower Middle Income Country, India.

Abstract

Rickshaw pullers work in unorganized sector. Ignorance, poverty, and strenuous physical exertion make them vulnerable to ill health and disease. To assess the magnitude and pattern of morbidity, associated sociodemographic factors, and health-seeking behavior of the participants. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 305 participants. Predesigned, pretested questionnaire was used for data collection. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 16 version was used for data analysis. About 61% of the participants had morbidity in their lifetime and 49.5% fell sick in the last 15 days. Substance abuse in any form was reported by 73.1%. Grade-1 hypertension was reported in 28.2% and 7.5% was having grade-2 hypertension. Age, monthly income, substance abuse, and availing of health services were significantly associated with the development of health problems. Need to devise interventions that will focus on health awareness and early health-seeking behavior among the participants.