HEALTH PROFILE OF BURIAL GROUND/ CREMATORIUM WORKERS - A CROSS SECTIONAL SURVEY IN CHENNAI.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: This study evaluates the health status of the crematorium workers as they are much exposed to dust and other pollutants. Chennai, the metropolitan city containing different types of crematoriums like Manual, Gasier and Electric crematoriums has many workers in it as their working environment differs and the number of pollutants also differs. Their health conditions vary regarding to their age, co morbidities, workplace and lifestyle. A direct survey concerned about work nature and health status of those who involve in cremating the corpse has been done. METHODS: A Descriptive cross-sectional survey conducted among the persons who work in burial ground /crematoriums located in 15 zones of Chennai corporation. Purposive sampling technique with the sample size of 91 were used in this study. The data were collected as direct interview, at the workplace of the interviewees through interview forms and the information are recorded in papers. The data were analysed using the EXCEL and SPSS. RESULTS: A total of 91 crematorium workers were enrolled in this study of which 99% persons were male and majority of them work in the Gasier crematorium. Among the total crematorium workers, the major illness identied was 17.6 %. of pre hypertensive, 5.5 % of pre diabetic, 5.4% of loss of appetite and 4.4 % of respiratory disease. When comparing with the type of crematorium electric crematorium is compared to be safe in causing re injuries and duration of cremation is also less. There is a statistically signicant relationship between age and health prole of crematorium workers. (p value 0.016). CONCLUSION: Majority of the health illness observed was hypertension, diabetes, loss of appetite, respiratory diseases and few people had stress followed by disturbance of sleep.