Abstract

Background:
Transport workers mainly drivers, conductors and helpers are suffering from musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal disorders, respiratory tract problems, hypertension, obesity and diabetics. Exposure to the smoke and dust, poor condition of roads, irregular food habit, stress, standing for long time, constant vibration of whole body of vehicles contributes to their bad health.

Aim:
The aim of the study was to find out the morbidity patterns of bus workers and to identify the factors associated with morbidity of bus workers.

Methods:
The study was conducted at Gobindonagar bus terminals of Bankura District and it was a camp-based descriptive study and cross-sectional design. Ethical clearance was obtained from Institutional Ethics Committee of BSMCH. Permission was taken from District Transport Authority. Transport workers working at Gobindonagar bus stand for more than one year were included in this study. Health camp was conducted for two days at employee’s union office in Gobindanagar bus stand and finally 140 bus workers participate in the study.

Results:
Among the 140 bus workers drivers, conductors and helper was 35%, 27.9% and 37.1% respectively. Gastrointestinal disorder was the major health problem followed by musculoskeletal illness. Bus workers were found to be anemic in 8.6% of cases. Among 140 bus workers, prevalence of hypertension was 37.1%, pre-hypertension was 31.4% and diabetes 21.4%. Hypertension was associated with distance travelled per day, duty hours /day, occupation as driver and history of alcohol consumption. In respiratory problem, significant relation with distance traveled per day (˃200 kms per day than ≤200 kms per day), working hours (worked ˃8 hours per day than ≤8 hours) and occupation (drivers were more than others).

Conclusion:
Common morbidities were gastrointestinal problem, musculoskeletal problem, hypertension & over weight. Duration in present occupation, distance travelled per day, duty hours, age, addictions & occupation were found to have positive association with common morbidities.

Key words: Bus workers, Hypertension, Diabetes