Knowledge, attitude and practices related to occupational health problems among salt workers working in the desert of Rajasthan, India.
Workers in the salt industry are exposed to direct sunlight, salt dust and contact with brine. To assess their awareness, attitude and practices related to occupational health problems, 205 salt workers were interviewed about health hazards and problems related to their working conditions, usage of protective measures and suggestions for their improvisation. The brine workers had a fair knowledge of their occupational health problems (98.7%), protective measures (100.0%) and their benefits (100.0%) as compared to non brine workers for whom these figures were 89.0%, 85.8% and 78.7% respectively. The brine workers (29.5%) and non brine workers (31.5%) used unconventional measures to prevent contact with salty water, salt dust, raw salt and glare. There was a huge gap between their knowledge and practice with protective devices, though they suggested improvements in protective devices to increase their acceptability.
Haldiya
Kripa Ram
KR
Desert Medicine Research Centre (ICMR), India. haldiyakr@rediffmail.com
Sachdev
Raman
R
Mathur
Murli L
ML
Saiyed
Habibulla N
HN
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D012965:Sodium Chloride
D012965:Sodium Chloride