Textile Factory Workers Research Articles

Comparison of audiogram images and distortions of otoacoustic emissions products (DPOAE) on hearing functions of workers exposed to noise at textile factory

A cross-sectional study was done to determine the audiograms and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) in textile factory workers exposed to noise. The prevalence of hearing loss due to noise exposure determined by pure tone audiometry was 73% (66 of 90 subjects), whereas DPOAE was found in 47.8% (43 subjects). Based on logistic regression analysis, male sex was the most influential factor in the process of hearing impairment. On the basis of κ R, audiometric and DPOAE examination at 4000 and 6000 Hz frequencies showed significant correlation and weak suitability.

Prevalence of Allergic Rhinitis and Individual Prevention Practices Among Textile Workers in Vietnam

The object of this study is to estimate the pervalence of rhinitis symptoms amongst textile workers and individual prevention practices currently used by workers in textile factories in Vietnam. A cross-sectional study was conducted in two textile garment companies in the Nam Dinh province of Vietnam from May to October 2016. A total of 1082 workers in all stages of the textile production process participated in the study. Itchy nose and sneeze were the most common symptoms (with 46.9% and 46.9%, respectively, followed by itchy (33.2%) and runny nose (24.5%). Duration of cotton dust exposure per day were positively associated with face mask use (OR=1.90; 95% CI= 1.24 - 2.90) regular face mask use (OR=2.5; 95% CI=1.87 – 3.33) and nasal spray before working (OR=4.2; 95% CI=1.49-11.83). A high pervalence of allergic OR is observed amongst textile workers in Vietnam highlighting the need for preventive measures to reduce exposure to cotton dust.

Cotton dust exposure and self-reported respiratory symptoms among textile factory workers in Northwest Ethiopia: a comparative cross-sectional study

BackgroundCotton dust induced respiratory disorders are dramatically increased over the globe, especially the problem is serious in developing countries. Respiratory symptoms, such as cough, phlegm, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, chronic bronchitis, and byssinosis are common among workers exposed to cotton dust. However, in Ethiopia, the magnitude of the problem is not well known and information is limited about the risk factors. Therefore, this study was aimed to assess the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and associated factors.MethodsA Comparative cross-sectional study design was employed. A total of 413 (276 exposed and 137 unexposed) participants were included in the study. Stratified and simple random sampling techniques were used to select exposed and unexposed groups to cotton dust respectively. Multivariable binary logistic regression analyses was performed to identify variables associated with respiratory symptoms and adjusted odds ratio (AOR) was used to determine the strength of associations. Significance level was obtained at 95% confidence interval (CI) and p-value ≤0.05.ResultsThe prevalence of self-reported respiratory symptoms was 47.8% (95% CI: 41.3, 53.7%) and 15.3% (95% CI: 9.6, 22.3%) among exposed and control groups respectively. Sex (AOR = 2.1, 95% CI: 1.29, 3.45), service year (AOR = 2.38, 95% CI: 1.19, 4.71) and ventilation (AOR = 2.4, 95% CI: 1.17, 4.91) were factors significantly associated with respiratory symptoms. Furthermore, working department such as; ginning (AOR = 5.1, 95% CI: 2.13, 12.16), spinning (AOR = 4.96, 95% CI: 2.18, 11.29), weaving (AOR = 5.9, 95% CI: 2.46, 14.27) and blowing working departments (AOR = 5.14, 95% CI: 1.4, 18.94) were significantly associated with respiratory disorders.ConclusionsThe prevalence of self-reported respiratory symptoms was higher among workers exposed to cotton dust than unexposed workers. Sex, service year, working department and work unit ventilation were predictor variables for respiratory symptoms. Thus, reducing exposure to dust, adequate ventilation and improving the hygiene of working departments are needed to reduce respiratory symptoms.

Physiological Changes And Clinical Findings In Females Textile Factory Workers

About 60 million people worldwide work in the textile or clothing industry. The conditions of working and the dust that produced from processing of cotton in industries can cause many morbidities to the health of workers. Many recent studies have found a high ratio of chronic diseases especially chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in those workers. This study was done to assess the effect of working in textile industry from physiological and clinical points of view. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 75 randomly selected textile factory workers, all subjects were females. Information was collected through interview, in addition to physical examination and some needed investigations were performed including: packed cell volume (PCV),white blood cell count (WBC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), random blood sugar (RBS), blood urea (Bur), serum creatinine (Scr), serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), electrocardiography (ECG), echocardiography, chest x-ray (CXR) and general urine examination (GUE), in addition to pulmonary function tests (PFTs) using portable medical spirometer. The results of this study was shown that the mean duration of exposure of workers to cotton dust was 15.67±4.86 years, the higher percentage of workers had low back pain (LBP) (85%), while lower percentage of them had contact dermatitis (27%), urinary tract infection (23%), while 2% of workers had left ventricular hypertrophy as revealed by ECG and echocardiography. Regarding the mean values of blood parameters, the study showed no significant difference between workers and control groups apart from ESR changes (26.8 ± 15.95 vs. 8.3 ± 3.3 with P ≤ 0.05). Regarding the respiratory findings, the highest percentage of workers complained from shortness of breath (45.3%), some of them had no symptoms (17.3%), severity of symptoms was moderate restriction in most workers (24%), the study also showed negative non-significant relation between duration of exposure and severity of respiratory impairment (r = 0.1, P= 0.2). In conclusion; this study provides evidence of a strong relationship between exposure to cotton dust and respiratory impairments, also there was a considerable percentage of workers had muscular and dermatolo

Effect Of An Educational Program About Occupational Health And Safety On Knowledge, Attitude, And Practice Of Workers In Textile Factory In Damietta City

Effect Of An Educational Program About Occupational Health And Safety On Knowledge, Attitude, And Practice Of Workers In Textile Factory In Damietta City

Near vision correction and quality of life among textile factory workers in Durban

Background: Uncorrected near vision impairment affects the performance of near vision tasks and activities for an estimated 410 million people worldwide. Once normal vision becomes blurred or impaired, the ordinary and simple daily routines of individuals become difficult; often resulting in frustration and irritation, which is consequently reflected in their quality of life.Aim: We investigated the change of vision-related quality of life (VRQoL) following near correction among textile factory workers in South Africa.Methods: Presbyopic subjects who were 40 years and older with no other eye conditions were provided near spectacle correction. We interviewed subjects to ascertain their VRQoL scores using the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire, pre-treatment and 6 months after the provision of near corrections.Setting: The study was conducted among the textile factory workers in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.Results: A total of 423 textile factory workers were followed up from seven textile factories in Durban. The overall increase in VRQoL scores of 21.9 (95% CI 16.7–27) was significant (p < 0.01). This translates to a 36.5% (95% CI 30.6–42.4) change in VRQoL. The increase was highest among participants of African origin 25.1 (95% CI 21.14–29.1), males 18.8 (95% CI 12.6–27.2), among those who had completed primary school 35.8 (95% CI 21.7–49.9) and among participants with other responsibilities (ironing and quality assurance) 21.9 (95% CI 16.7–27).Conclusion: Correcting near vision impairment improved the VRQoL scores of textile factory workers. The results showed that VRQoL scores increased significantly across levels of education and categories of responsibility

The influence of industrial noise on urinary metanephrine, normetanephrine and vanilmandelic acid levels in workers of textile factory in Yazd, Iran

Noise as the most common physical agent in workplace, not only causes hearing loss but also leads to various diseases, such as hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Sound is likely to stimulate and increase the secretion of adrenal catecholamines and may have an indirect role in the pathogenesis of diseases caused by stress. This study was performed to investigate the effect of noise on urinary levels of metabolites of catecholamines of workers in a textile factory in Yazd, Iran. The sound pressure level measured in different units of factory and the mill divided into two sections as noisy (leq ≥ 85db) and quite (leq ≤ 70db) units. Forty four eligible workers participated in this study (22 as study and 22 as control group) and their urine were collected before and after workday shift. Metanephrine and normetanephrine levels were measured using ELISA, and vanilmandelic acid level was measured using chromatography methods. Results were analyzed using Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney statistical tests. Urinary level of metanephrine, normetanephrine and vanilmandelic acid in the study group was significantly higher than control group in both before and after shift samples. In study group level of all three metabolites were significantly increased after workday shift. In contrast, no significant increase was observed for metanephrine and vanilmandelic acid in control group but the increase of normetanephrines level was significant. Noise as a stressor factor may increase the exertion of catecholamines and this may can increases the risk of stress-related diseases.

Utilization of personal protective equipment and associated factors among textile factory workers at Hawassa Town, Southern Ethiopia.

BackgroundUse of personal protective equipment is one of the important measures to safeguard workers from exposure to occupational hazards, especially in developing countries. However, there is a dearth of studies describing personal protective equipment utilization in Ethiopia. The present study has determined the magnitude of personal protective equipment utilization and identified associated factors among textile factory workers at Hawassa Town, southern Ethiopia.MethodsAn institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among textile factory workers at Hawassa Town, southern Ethiopia from January to March 2014. Stratified sampling followed by simple random sampling techniques was used to select the total of 660 study participants. A pre-tested and structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Multivariate analyses were employed to see the effect of explanatory variables on dependent variable.ResultsThe magnitude of personal protective equipment utilization was 82.4 %. Service duration of >10 years [AOR: 0.23, 95 % CI: (0.09, 0.58)], availability of personal protective equipments [AOR: 21.73, 95 % CI: (8.62, 54.79)], shift work [AOR: 2.28, 95 % CI: (1.12, 4.66)], alcohol drinking [AOR: 0.26, 95 % CI: (0.10, 0.66)], and cigarette smoking [AOR: 0.20, 95 % CI: (0.05, 0.78)] were factors significantly associated with use of personal protective equipment.ConclusionIn this study a relatively higher personal protective equipment utilization rate was reported compared to other studies in developing countries. However, this does not mean that there will be no need for further strengthening the safety programs as there are significant proportion of the workers still does not use all the necessary personal protective equipment during work. Interventions to promote use personal protective equipment should focus on areas, such as service duration, availability of protective equipment, presence of shift work, and control of substance abuse.

Female workers in textile and garment sectors in Sri Lankan Export Processing Zones (EPZs): gender dimensions and working conditions

Sri Lankan women who are employed in Export Processing Zones (EPZs) work in a range of factories. A crosssection of female EPZ workers (n = 2304) representing 6 EPZs were surveyed as part of this study, with the majority in the textile and garment industry. Largely qualitative or small-scale research has demonstrated that textile and garment workers are often subject to poor social respect, derogatory comments and exposed to harsh or poor working conditions. Of particular interest was exploring in greater detail whether there were any quantifiably significant work-related or societal differences between female EPZ workers in textile and garment factories (n = 1878), compared to those employed in ‘other’ factory types (n = 426). Measuring ‘objective’ work conditions, Mann- Whitney U tests demonstrated significantly lower earnings and savings among textile and garment workers compared to those who worked in ‘other’ factories. Pearson’s chi-square test of contingencies revealed that although reports of abuse and harassment were generally low, textile and garment workers were more likely to experience verbal abuse. Regardless of such negativity, the majority of women within this study reported high rates of empowerment as a result of their experiences working in EPZs – largely irrespective of factory type. These statistical findings suggested that the different ‘objective’ workplace experiences (and to some extent, ‘subjective’ treatment) of female EPZ workers across textile and garment and ‘other’ factory types, may have little to do with their overall sense of personal achievement or inclusion, feeling empowered as a result of having been engaged in work. Sri Lanka Journal of Social Sciences 2015 38(1): 63-77

The Prevalence and Associated Factors of Occupational Injury among Workers in Arba Minch Textile Factory, Southern Ethiopia: A Cross Sectional Study

Background: Occupational accidents and work-related diseases cause over 2.3 million deaths annually; nearly 860,000 people are injured every day globally. There are limited studies that specifically determine the magnitude and associated factors of occupational injury in textile workers done in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of occupational injury in Arba Minch Textile Factory workers. Methods: An institution based cross-sectional study design was implemented from March 3 to March 20, 2015 among selected 433 Arba Minch Textile Factory workers. An Amharic version pre-tested questionnaire and observation checklist were used to collect the data using trained six data collectors and two supervisors. Data was entered into Epi Info version 7 templates, cleaned and analyzed using SPSS Version 21 software. Bivariate logistic regression was used to explore the relation between the dependent and independent variables using crude odds ratio with 95% C.I. Finally, to determine the independent factors associated with occupational injury, multivariate logistic regression model with hierarchical entry of variables was done. Variables with P-value <0.05 in the final model were considered statistically significant. Results: The one year prevalence of occupational injury was 31.4%. Lower monthly salary was associated with higher odds of injury among the socio-demographic factors [AOR (95%C.I): 3.5(1.7, 7.2)]. Work environment related factors like extra hour duty, health and safety training and workplace supervision had significant association after adjusting all factors [AOR (95%C.I): 2.5 (1.2, 5.4), 0.4 (0.17, 0.97), and 0.36 (0.17, 0.75) respectively]. Among the behavioral factors, Personal Protective Equipment use and job stress showed association with injury significantly. Conclusion: The significant prevalence and associated factors of occupational injury in the factory workers should alert the factory, governmental and non-governmental organizations working on Occupational Health and Safety.

Quality of life among Thai workers in textile dyeing factories.

The purpose of a cross-sectional study was to investigate factors influencing the quality of life among Thai workers in textile dyeing factories. Samples included 205 Thai workers from five textile dyeing factories located in the suburban area of Bangkok in Thailand. Data were collected with a self-administered questionnaire. Scales of the questionnaire had reliability coefficients ranging from 0.70–0.91. The results revealed that the overall quality of life among workers was most likely between good and moderate levels, and the percentage-mean score was 74.77. The seven factors associated with the overall quality of life were co-worker relationships, safety at work in the dimension of accident prevention, job characteristics, supervisory relationships, welfares, marital status, and physical environment. Furthermore, co-worker relationships, accident prevention, and marital status were three considerable predictors accounted for 23% of the variance in the overall quality of life among workers in textile dyeing factories.

Noise-induced hearing loss among workers in textile factory

Abstract Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is one of the most common chronic health problems, which produces gradual progressive impairment and disturbs the patient’s quality of life. Industries in general and especially textile ones produce noise levels that, if intensified, can cause damage to worker’s hearing. Hence, premature hearing loss is a well-known outcome of noise exposure at work in industrial workers. The aim of the study was to assess hearing threshold levels among exposed patients and to compare them with the nonexposed control group and to evaluate other variables such as outer hair cell and medial olivocochlear bundle function represented with transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs) testing with and without suppression and to find the relationship with duration of exposure if any. The study included 145 patients and same number of controls who were exposed to hazardous levels of noise for variable durations. All participants were subjected to audiological examination including basic audiological evaluation, otoacoustic emissions, and otoacoustic emissions with contralateral suppression (CAS). Of the 145 patients (290 ears), 214 ears showed sensorineural hearing loss (73.8%). Sensorineural hearing loss was mild in 63 (43.44%) ears, moderate in 82 (56.55%) ears, and severe in 69 (47.58%) ears. TEOAEs were found in those with mild hearing loss with significantly lower amplitudes. Intact suppression (CAS) was significantly lower for the study group than for the control group. However, there was no significant difference in level of suppression for different duration of exposure. A high incidence for NIHL is present among workers in textile factories, which indicate the mandatory use of different protective measures. CAS can be used as a predictor for the susceptibility to NIHL.

Relationship between Occupational Health Hazards and the Use of Safety Measures among Workers in Textile Factory in Port Said City

Background: Workers at textile factories are exposed to different hazards, which may have tremendous harmful effects on their health. Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between occupational health hazards and the use of safety measures among workers in textile factory in Port Said city. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional descriptive design was utilized to conduct this study. The study sample was carried on 100 workers in a textile factory in Port Said city. The data were collected using three tools: Structured Interviewing Questionnaire, an observational checklist and an environmental safety checklist. Results: The results of this study showed that that more than three quarters (77%) of the study group was exposed to psychological hazards while about two thirds (64%) were exposed to physical hazards. Moreover, almost two-thirds (66%) of the study group didn't use different protective devices. Conclusion: The study concluded that there was a highly significant difference between exposure of the studied group to various types of occupational health hazards and not wearing personal protective equipments (p ≤ 0.05). It is recommended that the need for stressing on the application of International Standard Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series in field work to improve occupational health and safety performance for the workers and emphasizing on the importance and usefulness of personal protective equipment to be used in the right way.

Estimating the effect of cumulative occupational asbestos exposure on time to lung cancer mortality: using structural nested failure-time models to account for healthy-worker survivor bias.

Previous estimates of the effect of occupational asbestos on lung cancer mortality have been obtained by using methods that are subject to the healthy-worker survivor bias. G-estimation of a structural nested model provides consistent exposure effect estimates under this bias. We estimated the effect of cumulative asbestos exposure on lung cancer mortality in a cohort comprising 2564 textile factory workers who were followed from January 1940 to December 2001. At entry, median age was 23 years, with 42% of the cohort being women and 20% nonwhite. During the follow-up period, 15% of person-years were classified as occurring while employed and 13% as occupationally exposed to asbestos. For a 100 fiber-year/ml increase in cumulative asbestos, a Weibull model adjusting for sex, race, birth year, baseline exposure, and age at study entry yielded a survival time ratio of 0.88 (95% confidence interval = 0.83 to 0.93). Further adjustment for work status yielded no practical change. The corresponding survival time ratio obtained using g-estimation of a structural nested model was 0.57 (0.33 to 0.96). Accounting for the healthy-worker survivor bias resulted in a 35% stronger effect estimate. However, this estimate was considerably less precise. When healthy-worker survivor bias is suspected, methods that account for it should be used.

Magnitude and Characteristics of Occupational injury in Kombolcha textile factory, North East Ethiopia

Background: Working environment is one of the factors which can determine public health conditions as many workers spend a large portion of their time at work.Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the magnitude and characteristics of occupational injury among workers in Kombolcha textile factory, North East Ethiopia.Methods: Institution based cross-sectional study design was conducted from April1-15, 2013 among 455 randomly selected workers after stratification by working departments. A structured questionnaire based interview, review of records of injury report and walk through survey using work environment observation checklist were used to support the self-reported information. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis using SPSS version 20.Results: The overall occupational injury prevalence rate was 36.9%. Puncture, abrasion/laceration, fracture, cut and back pain were the most common types of injury. Most of the sources of injury were due to machinery, lifting heavy objects, splinters, fall and hand tools.Conclusion: The magnitude of occupational injury at Kombolcha textile industry showed a high prevalence that indicates the need to work on integrated injury prevention by mainstreaming occupational health and safety procedures in all working departments of the factory. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijosh.v3i2.8381

Bir Tekstil Fabrikasında Çalışan Astımlı İşçilerin Değerlendirilmesi

Objective: Workers with asthma are one of the risk working groups. Being exposed to indoorair pollutants in the workplace makes it difficult to control asthma and can lead to asthma attacks.This study was carried out in 2012 by the Department Of Chest Diseases of the State Hospitalapplied by the workers in a textile factory in Kahramanmaras to get a medical board report andasthmatic workers’ conditions and whether they were affected by the working environment wereexamined. Material and Method: Some data about health/diseases status and individual characteristicsof 30 workers who had previously been diagnosed with asthma were collected. Spirometricmeasurements were made. PEF (peak expiratory flow) meters recordings were made 4 times aday during 4 weeks to indicate the effects of the workplace. PEF rates were calculated usingthe measurements before and after the shift.Results: There were 1210 workers in the factory and 30 of them had asthma (2.4%). Asthmaticpatients, 18 female and 12 male. Nearly half of the workers with asthma were smokers. PFT(pulmonary function test) measurements were found low in workers with asthma. Themeasurements were lower in smoker workers.. When the Peak Flow Meter measurements wereevaluated, there was found almost 14,5% decrease in PEF value at the end of the shift comparedto the start of the shift. In 32% of the measurements, daily PEFR variability is20% and more.Almost half of the PFT results of the asthmatic workers were within normal limits. Whenexamined in terms of PEFR variability, finding the PEFR variability above than 20% in 32%of all measurements raised doubts that the workplace was carrying some risks. In addition,finding smoking anamnesis in 66.7% of male and 53.3% of female workers with asthma andthe existence of smoking anamnesis in all workers having PEFRvariability more than 20% all indicate that another problem issmoking.Conclusion: As a result, it seems highly significant to raiseawaraness among the people with asthma working in textile sectorabout their diseases and to teach them proper protection methodsand also to encourage smokers with asthma to quit smoking

Acute Cutaneous Ethylene Glycol Toxicity With Delayed Development of Anion Gap Acidosis

INTRODUCTION: Ethylene glycol monoethyl ether is a water soluble solvent used in wide variety of products e.g. toxic solvents, printing inks, leather finishers, anti icing addictive in navy jet fuels. It has been used as an alternative to the alcohol due to its pleasant taster and euphoric effect. Historically in 1970 few workers in textile factory were found to be having bone marrow suppression, who were later found to have chronic dermal exposure to the ethylene glycol. Ethylene glycol monoethyl ether was used in textile plants as solvents as an alternative to the acetone.

Determinants of Occupational Injury: A Case Control Study among Textile Factory Workers in Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia

Background. Occupational injuries pose major public health and socioeconomic developmental problems. However, efforts towards investigation of determinants among factory workers are very minimal in developing countries. Thus, this study aimed at to identify determinants of occupational injury among textile factory workers in Amahara regional state in Ethiopia. Methods. A case control study was done among 456 textile factory workers (152 cases and 304 controls). Self-reported data from workers and document review from factories clinics were used to ascertain occupational injury status within one-year period. Data was collected using pretested and structured questionnaire by trained data collectors. Odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was used to assess level significance. Results. Young age (<30 years) (AOR 1.90, 95% CI (1.22, 2.94)), male gender (AOR 2.54, 95% CI (1.58, 4.07)), health and safety training (AOR 1.85, 95% CI (1.17, 2.91)), sleeping disturbance (AOR 1.99, 95% CI (1.30, 3.04)), and job stress (AOR 2.25, 95% CI (1.15, 4.41)) were significant predictors of occupation injury. Conclusion. Lack of training, sleeping disturbance, and job stress increased the risk of occupational injury. So, providing basic health and safety training with special emphasis on younger and male workers, reducing stressors, and providing sleep health education were recommended.

Respiratory Symptoms, Pulmonary Function Tests, and Asbestos Related Chest Radiograph Abnormalities of Former Asbestos Textile Factory Workers

Respiratory Symptoms, Pulmonary Function Tests, and Asbestos Related Chest Radiograph Abnormalities of Former Asbestos Textile Factory Workers

'Their palms were crossed with silver': The Payment of Workers in Early Textile Factories 1780–1830

The expansion of the textile trades in Great Britain during the industrial revolution introduced great changes to the lives and work of a significant proportion of its population. The growth in production and trade brought wealth to the successful entrepreneurs, through the endeavours of their workforce; but paying the wages of this labour was no easy matter. Cash was in very short supply from the late eighteenth century to the early nineteenth century. This research note explores one strategy adopted by the new textile industrialists in response to the Royal Mint's inability to produce any quantity of silver coinage between 1751 and 1816. It focuses on the particular practice of countermarking foreign coinage. As yet few contemporary records of this practice have been identified; and it is hoped that further research will generate dialogue between textile historians and numismatic researchers.