Study of Morbidity Pattern among the Male Construction Workers

With urbanization being on rise the construction sector is a booming industry. Migrant labours in the industry are susceptible to various health and occupational hazards. These migrant workers are spread across the country and travel from one area of work to another, at times along with their families. They live in temporary settlements for the duration of the construction process and then move to another site or city. Being migrants they do not get registered, hence, are denied the basic government facilities.

1) To study the morbidity pattern among the construction workers.

2) To know their literacy status and habits.

It was a cross sectional study of 200 male construction workers living and working at 2 construction sites in Bangalore city. A predesigned questionnaire was used to collect the data about the demographic and health status of the workers.

The 200 construction workers surveyed were between the age group 18–55 years. 90.5% of the workers were migrants from other states and villages. 26.5% were in the habit of smoking and consuming alcohol, 35% of them did not have any habit of smoking, chewing tobacco or consuming alcohol. Of the total workforce 16% were found to have respiratory infections, 13% had gastrointestinal infections, 9% had skin and musculoskeletal problems. Out of 200 study population, 26% of the workers were illiterates with 6% who were degree holders.

The number of respiratory infections being 16% and those having various habits of smoking and consuming alcohol is 65% making them prone for accidents and other health problems. The construction companies should be brought under stringent legislations for safety at construction sites. Better housing conditions away from the construction sites should be provided to prevent from various infections and skin conditions