Social aspects of occupational diseases in clothing industry in Bulgaria

Abstract

Abstract Background The clothing industry is traditionally well developed branch of industry in Bulgaria Harmful factors of manufacture are forced posture, monotonous work, noise, vibration, poisons etc. At the beginning of 2016, the persons directly employed in the sector add up to 92 000, representing 6% of the employees in Bulgaria. An impairment of musculoskeletal and peripheral nervous system is frequent among these people in relation with the exposure of their professional experience. The aim of the study is to observe the influence of occupational diseases in clothing industry on social and emotional wellbeing of the employees. Methods For the purposes of the study, 103 persons employed in clothing industry, with impairments of the musculoskeletal system and the peripheral nervous system, were investigated. They were admitted to the Department of Occupational Diseases, of the University Hospital in Pleven during the period 2014-2017. Data were collected by interview, documents review and clinical examination. Results Analysis of the results revealed a statistically significant inverse association between performance of daily life activities and length of exposure of patients (p < 0.05). This means that increasing length of exposure restrict the abilities of the investigated persons to perform daily life activities. About 62% of the respondents are often and long standing patients, with more than 4 cases of hospitalization and over 30 days of disability per year. In 68% of the subjects the average duration of one illness exceeds 10 days. Long period of disability affect their income, working position and family relationships. More than a half of people surveyed (56%) cannot afford the recommended rehabilitation which retards the process of recovering. All these facts affect their mood and health self-esteem. Concussion Occupational diseases in clothing industry affect quality of life, social and professional performance of the employees. Key messages In clothing industry many risk factors affect workers’ health. There is a significant association between length of occupational experience in this branch and social aspects of occupational diseases. Occupational diseases in clothing industry affect capability of work and daily routines of employees. They have been associated with long and expensive period treatment and rehabilitation.