TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2016//
TI  - Occupational health issues in small-scale industries in Sri Lanka: an underreported burden
JO  - Work
A1  - Suraweera, Inoka K.
A1  - Wijesinghe, Supun D.
A1  - Senanayaka, Sameera J.
A1  - Herath, Hemantha D. B.
A1  - Jayalal, T. B. Ananda
SP  - 263
EP  - 269
VL  - 55
IS  - 2
N2  - 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. <br><br>OBJECTIVE: To identify occupational health issues faced by small-scale industry workers in Sri Lanka. <br><br>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. <br><br>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. <br><br>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.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1051-9815
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.3233/WOR-162397
ID  - ref1
ER  -