Prevalence of Respiratory Morbidity among Construction Workers - A Cross-sectional Study from South Kerala

Background: Respiratory morbidity among construction workers, a key global workforce, is often overlooked, despite the significant health risks. Authenticated studies on the subject of interest in Kerala are rare in the literature and this study seeks to fill that gap. Objectives: The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of respiratory morbidity among construction workers and to identify its associated factors. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the construction workers of Ambalappuzha South Panchayath, Alappuzha, Kerala, over a period of 2 months. A semi-structured questionnaire survey was followed by lung function assessments using spirometry and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR). Results: Out of 109 male participants surveyed, 35.8% exhibited respiratory morbidity. The common symptoms included dyspnea (17.4%) and cough (15.6%). A significant association between cement exposure and respiratory morbidity was observed ( P = 0.014, odds ratio = 3.148 [95% confidence interval 1.306–7.591]). Abnormal spirometric results, predominantly restrictive patterns (13.5%), were found in 18.3% of participants. In addition, 17.4% showed abnormal peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) results, with a mean PEFR of 396.06 ± 87.813. Conclusion: The study reveals a significant prevalence of respiratory morbidity and calls for immediate actions to improve workplace safety and prioritize the health of these workers, emphasizing the importance of preventive measures in occupational health.