PROFESSIONAL HEALTH RISKS OF TOBACCO FACTORY WORKERS IN THE CITY OF BARISHAL, BANGLADESH: A COMMUNITY BASED SURVEY

Aims: To determine the occupational health hazard of tobacco workers, to assess the dietary diversity and to determine income, disease condition, smoker & nonsmoker, working protection. Methods: Data collected from three areas, tobacco factory (100), around Tobacco factory (100) and Dumki (100). The hazardous condition were assessed by pick flow meter and the dietary patterns of the respondents were measured by food groups including their working condition were inspected and analyzed in SPSS software. Results: Study showed Pick flow-yellow zone (70.70%), red zone (25.30%) and remainder condition were good. Among them 4/4+ food groups taken (56%). The smokers (40.67%) and non-smokers (59.33%) had a disease condition 32.70%. The mask use were only 9%. The pick flow, BMI and Food groups over the study area was significantly different. As well as BMI, Tobacco use and Mask use over the pick flow were statistically significant. Moreover pick flow over the tobacco use, disease and mask use were highly significant. Tobacco factory hazard had a great effect on the tobacco workers, so it should be halted/minimized at an acceptable level. Keywords: Professional Health Risk, Tobacco Factory, Workers, Bangladesh.