Occupational health issues in small-scale industries in Sri Lanka: An underreported burden.
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.
Environmental and Occupational Health Unit, Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka.
Inoka K
IK
Suraweera
Monash Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
Supun D
SD
Wijesinghe
Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka.
Sameera J
SJ
Senanayake
Environmental and Occupational Health Unit, Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka.
Hema D B
HD
Herath
Environmental and Occupational Health Unit, Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka.
T B Ananda
TB
Jayalal
D000328:Adult; D018771:Arthralgia / Q000453:epidemiology; D001416:Back Pain / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D059352:Musculoskeletal Pain / Q000453:epidemiology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016272:Occupational Health; D010146:Pain / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D058012:Small Business / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013188:Sri Lanka / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
Work-related musculoskeletal pain; ergonomics; industrial medicine; occupational injuries; workplaces