Affiliations: [a] Environmental and Occupational Health Unit, Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka
| [b]
Monash Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| [c]
Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka
Correspondence:
[*]
Address for correspondence: Dr. Supun Wijesinghe, MonCOEH, Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne,VIC 3004, Australia. Tel.: +61 406 294 314; E-mail: dr.wijesinghe@gmail.com.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Work-related diseases and occupational accidents affect a significant number of workers globally. The majority of these diseases and accidents are reported from developing countries; and a large percentage of the workforce in developing countries is estimated to be employed in small-scale industries. Sri Lanka is no exception. These workers are exposed to occupational hazards and are at a great risk of developing work- related diseases and injuries. OBJECTIVE: To identify occupational health issues faced by small-scale industry workers in Sri Lanka. METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted among workers in four selected small-scale industry categories in two districts of Sri Lanka. A small-scale industry was defined as a work setting with less than 20 workers. Cluster sampling using probability proportionate to size of workers was used. Eighty clusters with a cluster size of eight from each district were selected. Data was collected using a pre-tested interviewer administered questionnaire. RESULTS: Our study surveyed 198 industries. Headache (2.2%, 95% CI 1.5–3.1) and eye problems (2.1%, 95% CI 1.4–2.9) were the commonest general health issues detected. Back pain (4.8%, 95% CI 3.8–6.1) was the most prevalent work-related musculoskeletal pain reported. Knee pain was the second highest (4.4%, 95% CI 3.4–5.6). Most of the work-related musculoskeletal pain was either of short duration or long lasting. CONCLUSIONS: Work-related musculoskeletal pain was much more common than the general health issues reported. Health promotional programs at workplaces focusing ergonomics will benefit the workers at small-scale industries inSri Lanka.
Keywords: Work-related musculoskeletal pain, ergonomics, occupational injuries, workplaces, industrial medicine
