Morbidities among Shipbuilding Workers in Goa: A Retrospective Record-Based Study

1,2Post Graduate Student, 3Professor and Head of Department, Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Goa Medical College, Goa, India. 4,5,6,7,8,9MBBS Student, Goa Medical College, Goa, India. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/2455.7048.201908 Background: Shipbuilding industry is among the heaviest and most hazardous production industries. The workers are exposed to various chemicals and physical hazards. Chronic illnesses are important among long term shipyard workers. The current study was performed to assess selected morbidities among shipbuilding workers in Goa and to suggest suitable measures to minimize the hazards. Methods: A retrospective record-based cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of two months from November to December 2018. The data of 791 workers was obtained from OHS centre catering to the shipbuilding industries in North-Goa which conducted periodic medical check-ups of the shipbuilding workers. The data included socio-demographic details and details regarding selected morbidities among shipbuilding workers. Result: The records of 791 workers working in shipbuilding industry was analysed. A high number of workers i.e. 216 (23.3%) were overweight. As high as 196 (24.8%) workers were hypertensive, 101 (12.8%) had diabetes, 76 (9.6%) had dyslipidaemia while 3 (0.4%) were anaemic. 40 (5.1%) had restrictive lung disease, while 9 (1.1%) had obstructive lung disease. Assessment of Audiometry reports revealed that 190 (24%) workers had mild hearing loss, 33 (4.2%) had moderate hearing loss and 14 (1.8%) had severe hearing loss. Conclusions: Shipbuilding workers suffer from several health problems, notably, hearing impairment, visual impairment, lung conditions impairing pulmonary functions as well as lifestyle diseases like diabetes, hypertension, overweight and dyslipidaemia. Periodic medical examinations are needed for timely detection and appropriate treatment of these health conditions among the shipbuilding workers.