Prevalence of urinary symptoms and infections among traditional tannery workers in the Fez city of Morocco: case–control study

Background Many work activities such as leather tanning include hazards to work. Among these, biological hazards are particularly important and pose a serious problem to human health and environment. The aims of this study were to estimate the prevalence of dysuria and urinary tract infections among tannery workers and to identify their risk factors. Methods This observational survey was conducted among 220 tannery workers and 220 age-matched control group from Fez city in Morocco. Reported urinary symptoms, demographic and professional information were obtained by a standardized questionnaire collected from participants and were then compared among the two groups. The logistic regression model was used to explore the interaction between variables with significant association. Results The most common symptoms reported by tannery workers and controls were dysuria (36.4% vs. 1.8%, p < 0.001), voiding frequency (15.5% vs. 0.9%, p < 0.001) and incontinence (3.2% vs. 0.5%, p < 0.001). A positive urinary culture was seen in 3.64% of the tannery workers but not in the controls (0%). E-coli was the only species. Multivariate logistic regression showed that exposure to biological hazards increased significantly the odds of dysuria by 6.76 times (CI 1.112–41.78; p = 0.038) but rather, low or normal weight was a protective factor of dysuria (OR 0.53; CI 0.249–0.950; p = 0.035). Conclusion Multiple working conditions including exposure to biological hazards may cause an increase in urogenital disorders in the tannery workers. A significantly higher prevalence of urinary symptoms among male workers demand serious attention and further investigation.

Dynamics of Pulmonary Functions based on Body Mass Index Categories in Wet-Blue Leather Tannery Workers

Almost 30% of the global population is obese and overweight. In Pakistan, the latest research reveals that 28% of peoples are overweight and 16% obese. However, scarce data is available to report a relationship between obesity and pulmonary health in workers. For this reason, the current study aimed to study dynamics of pulmonary function parameters based on body mass index (BMI) categories, through a spirometer device, among wet-blue leather tannery workers. A total of 116 male tannery workers was selected as a studied population. Workers excluded who had age < 20 years, ever-smokers; respiratory disorders, cardiac illness, diabetes, and hypertension. The study was conducted between September to December 2019. Age, height, weight, and BMI were noted. The following BMI categories were used: normal-weight (18.5-24.9), overweight (25.0-29.9), and obese (≥ 30.0). The Pearson correlation test was run to determine was any linear correlation between pulmonary function parameters and BMI categories. Age, weight and BMI showed statistical differences in all BMI categories except height (P= 0.058). In obese and overweight workers, lower mean values of the pulmonary function parameters were observed compared to normal weight workers, respectively. A significant a significant linear correlation between FEV1 %, FVC % and BMI categories except for FEV1/FVC. It was concluded that obese and overweight workers might have reduced pulmonary function parameters. Future studies among tannery workers are highly recommended to find a correlation between BMI categories and pulmonary function with dust exposure. Keywords: Body mass index, Lung, Obesity, Overweight, Pakistan

Respiratory Health Implications among Wet-Blue Leather Tannery Workers of Kasur

Work-related respiratory diseases have imperative role in the globular burden of occupational lung diseases throughout the world. These respiratory disorders can be caused by environmental hazards in the workplace and account for 10-20% of all chronic lung diseases. It is surprising that in Pakistan, scarce data is available on the pulmonary health of tannery workers. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the respiratory-specific health status of wet-blue leather tannery workers in Kasur city, Pakistan. A sample of 227 tannery workers engaged in four different tanneries was selected as a sample of convenience. A control group of 112 participants independent from exposure was also selected from the local community. Respiratory health was determined through an adopted symptom-based questionnaire and pulmonary function tests (PFTs). These tests were carried out by using a portable spirometer, during September-December 2019. A multiple Linear regression analysis was performed to analyze the amount of variance in PFTs by demographics and respiratory symptoms. Among tannery workers, the complaints of respiratory symptoms were 27.8% as compared to 21.4% of the control group. While based on the PFTs, total cases of impaired- pulmonary function among tannery workers were 34.3% as compared to 19.7% of the control. A statistically significant relationship was found between age, job duration, education, respiratory symptoms, and pulmonary function parameters. This study will contribute to generate baseline data of respiratory health status of the tannery workers. Further studies are recommended to find an association between occupational factors and workplace-related respiratory problems to reduce the burden of occupational diseases. Keywords: Occupational diseases, Lung diseases, Respiratory function tests, Spirometry, Workplace

Changes in blood Cr level and its oxidative status among leather tannery workers of District Kanpur in North India

Chromium (Cr) sulfate is used in the tannery industry as a basic tanning agent. Workers are directly exposed to the Cr due to unawareness and no safety protocols. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the oxidative stress of Cr in tannery workers of District Kanpur in North India. Two groups of the population were for the study, Group I included 50 directly exposed people employed in tannery industries, whereas Group II included 50 healthy people with no previous exposure to Cr. The concentration of total Cr in blood samples was measured by Inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS). Oxidative status was measured by antioxidant enzyme assays such as Catalase (CAT), Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx) and Glutathione Reductase (GR). Statistical analysis observed a significant (p<0.001) increase of Cr concentration in Cr-exposed Group compared to controls which were not exposed to Cr. The level of CAT (9.73 ± 1.68 u/mg) was significantly (p<0.001) higher in Cr-exposed group as compared to control (6.00 ± 0.86 u/mg) while GPx (40.02 ± 5.43 u/mg) and GR (5.29 ± 1.59 u/gHg) concentration is significantly (p?0.001) lower in Cr-exposed group compared to control (59.71 ± 5.09 u/mg and 10.77 ± 2.32 u/g Hg, respectively. In Pearson correlation analysis, blood Cr level showed a significant correlation (p<0.05) with oxidative status. In Pearson correlation analysis, blood Cr level showed a significant correlation (p<0.05) with the oxidative status of the exposed population. The outcome of this study may help the early detection of hazardous impact of Cr on tannery workers, which will be crucial for reducing health risk and exposure.

Perceived Workplace Hazards and Health Problems Among the Workers of Tannery Industries

Background: Tannery is one of the key export-oriented sectors in Bangladesh and plays an important role in the country's economy. But the manufacturing process in the tannery industry is hazardous for both workers, and the environment. This study was carried out to assess the perception and understanding of the tannery workers about the hazards in their workplace and related health problems suffered by them. Methods: lt was a cross-sectional study carried out in 25 tannery industries. A total of 200 workers who had at least one-year working experience in the studied tannery industries were included as the respondent of the study. Interviewer semi-structured questionnaire and hazard assessment checklist was used for data collection Results: Of the total participants' majority (74%) were male and the mean age was 31.1±11.57 years. Most of the workers did not get any training related to their job and safety measures. The common hazards mentioned by the respondents were unsafe handling of chemicals (45.5%), unsafe machinery (37.0%), tanning process (24.5%), handling of machines /mater ials (23.5%) and poor housekeeping (25.5%). Other hazards as perceived by the participants were inadequate lighting , dust, noise , improper ventilation system, he at, slippery floor and inappropriate use of PPE. A majority (68.0%) of the respondents mentioned that they suffered from illnesses which were related to their work. The illnesses were skin problems (49.0%), respiratory problems (36.5%), musc uloskeletal dis orders (32.5%), eye problems (18.5%) and gastrointestinal problems ( 17.5%). The participant workers also mentio ned the lack of first aid and treatment facilities, no canteen and child's room and limited welfare facilities in their industry. Conclusion: The workplace hazards perceived by the tannery workers revealed the real situation of the work process and the work environment, and did not differ much with the findings of the walk-through survey. The tannery workers also reported being suffered from several general and work-related diseases. JOPSOM 2020; 39(1): 31-42

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Sinus and Nasal Allergies among Tannery Workers of Kanpur City

India is greatly afflicted by sinusitis, which is a condition that involves inflaming sinuses (the air cavities in the nasal passage) in your nose, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). The study’s objective was to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of sinus and nasal allergies among tannery workers of Kanpur city. The study has used primary datasets obtained from a cross-sectional household study of tannery workers from the Jajmau area of Kanpur in northern India, which was conducted during January–June 2015 as part of a doctoral program. The study covered 286 tannery workers from the study area. Bivariate and logistic regression analysis was used to study the association between outcome variables (self-reported prevalence of sinus and nasal allergies) and predictor variables (socioeconomic and work-related characteristics). Results portray that a higher proportion of the tannery workers belong to economically and socially backward classes. Overall, 13.4 and 12.3% of sinus and nasal allergy prevalence have been reported by tannery workers, whereas tannery workers from the oldest age group were those who mainly suffered. A study found that the severity of nasal and sinus allergies increases with the increasing age and work duration in the tannery. Workers with low exposure to airborne dust were significantly more likely to develop sinus problems (OR = 4.16; p < 0.05) than those without exposure. Those tannery workers suffering from nasal allergy were more prone to develop sinus problems than those who were not suffering from nasal allergy. The risk factors responsible for these health hazards can be eliminated by improving the overall working conditions and ensuring necessary protective regulations for the tannery workers.

Prevalence of Occupational Skin Diseases and its Predisposing Factors in Leather Tanning Workers of Southern India

Skin diseases are a major occupational health issue in tannery workers because of work related exposure to various toxic chemicals used in tanning process. In the present study, prevalence of various skin diseases and predisposing factors in tannery workers were investigated.A cross sectional study including 114 tannery workers (male-89; female-25) employed at different tanneries of Southern India was carried out. Face to face interview with pre-designed questionnaire and health examination was conducted. Skin samples obtained from the participants were subjected to microscopic examination and microbial culture for diagnosis of skin diseases. The prevalence of occupational skin disorders were 39% among the study participants. Contact dermatitis (16%), skin infections (16%), eczematous lesions (7%) and nail discoloration (1.75%) wereidentified. Skin infections of fungal origin were identified among 11.4% of subjects. The skin infections of fungi; tenia corporis, tenia cruris, tenia unguium, tenia versicolor, tenia pedis and Pityriosis versicolor were identified. Bacterial skin infections identified were associated with contact dermatitis. Lack of PPE usage was reported among 30% of workers. Hazardous working environment, chemical exposure, humidity and lack of PPEusage were significantly associated with increased skin disease incidence(p<0.05), indicating the major predisposing factorsfor Occupation skin diseases.The findings of the study emphasize that,workers in the pre-tanning section and tanning sections are more vulnerable to occupational skin diseases.Compliance to use of PPEs, engineering controls to reduce exposure, education, frequent health surveillance and early identification & treatment could mitigate the occupational skindiseasesamongtannery workers.