Publication:

A study on occupational health hazards and morbidity profile of the bus drivers and conductors working in government bus depots of South Kolkata

Background Health has always been closely linked with occupation. Occupational hazards have become more prominent in the post-industrial societies and includes a never-ending list of diseases. The current study was an attempt to explore the physical health hazards and their possible risk factors among the bus drivers and conductors employed in south Kolkata bus depots under the West Bengal transport corporation.

Methods A cross-sectional study had been conducted in two governmental bus depots under Calcutta state transport corporation (WBTC) of south Kolkata, West Bengal. All the bus drivers and conductors were interviewed after taking informed consent with a pretested predesigned semi-structured questionnaire.

Results The major physical health problems among the drivers were related to musculoskeletal system (37.8%) and followed by endocrinal system (26.66%), cardiovascular system (17.78%), anorectal system (10%), eye (7.78%), occupational injuries (7.78%), liver and biliary system (6.66%). Among the conductors, majority (42.02%) had musculoskeletal problem, followed by endocrinal (34.09%), cardiovascular (27.27%), respiratory (15.91%), dermatological (12.5%), gastro-intestinal (9.10%), eye (9.10%), orthopaedic (7.95%) and liver-biliary problem (6.82%). Multivariate analyses revealed that participants aged less than 44 years and who served their occupation for less than 6 years had higher odds of not suffering from musculoskeletal morbidities and those who were aged less than 44 years and who served their occupation for less than 6 years had higher odds of low morbidities.

Conclusions Preplacement and periodic health check-ups at frequent intervals with supportive health promotional activities can uplift the physical health of the study population.