Clinical trial NCT06479785: Effects of an Educational Intervention Program on Marble Factory Workers
Official title: Effects of an Educational Intervention Program on Lung Function and Ergonomic Hazards Among Marble Factory Workers: Quasi-experimental Study
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Respiratory Diseases
Keywords: lung function, ergonomic hazards, marble factory workers
Lead sponsor: Riphah International University
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2024-06-28
Enrollment: 80
Sex: MALE
Minimum age (years): 20
Maximum age (years): 55
Standard ages: ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Primary purpose: PREVENTION

Brief summary: Marble cutting exposes workers to dust, increasing risk of lung diseases like asthma, COPD, silicosis, and asbestosis. Many marble cutters in rural areas lack awareness of these risks and work without proper protection. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has over 4000 marble factories employing over a million laborers, mostly unskilled and vulnerable. Workers face health risks from heavy lifting, poor posture, and respirable dust. Ergonomic disorders are also common due to poorly designed workstations, repetitive motions, and straining postures. Musculoskeletal Symptoms (MSS) can progress into Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs), affecting worker well-being and productivity. Findings can inform targeted educational programs and interventions to improve respiratory health and reduce ergonomic risks in the marble industry.

Detailed description: Occupational hazards, such as dust exposure during marble cutting, can significantly increase the risk of lung diseases in workers. This includes common ailments such as asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), as well as more serious conditions such as silicosis and asbestosis. Unfortunately, many marble cutters from rural areas may not be aware of these health risks, which can lead to them working without proper protection. Heavy load lifting, poor work posture, and the production of respirable dust in marble factories contribute to the health risks faced by these workers. Just like dust exposure during marble cutting can harm a worker's lungs, similarly, working in this industry carries a high risk of ergonomic disorders. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, ergonomic risk factors are responsible for 35% of workplace injuries in 2021, resulting in MSDs. An extensive amount of research has been conducted globally; however, limited literature exists on this particular topic in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, specifically in Peshawar. The findings of the study can help inform the development and implementation of targeted educational programs and interventions aimed at improving respiratory health and reducing ergonomic risks in the marble industry.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Adult male marble factory workers,
* Age 20-55years
* Working for more than 1year
* Working time(hours): minimum 06 hours daily

Exclusion Criteria:

* Workers with pre-existing lung diseases
* Workers with any other occupational hazard
* Workers who are not willing to participate in the study

Primary outcomes:
measure: Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR)
timeFrame: 4 weeks
measure: Forced vital capacity (FVC)
timeFrame: 4 weeks
measure: Forced expiratory volume in 1sec (FEV1)
timeFrame: 4 weeks
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA)
timeFrame: 4 Weeks
measure: Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA)
timeFrame: 4 Weeks
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Islamabad
country: Pakistan
facility: Marble factories in Peshawar
state: AL
Study officials:
affiliation: Riphah International University
name: Suman Sheraz, PhD*
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References:
citation: Butt IM, Mustafa T, Rauf S, Razzaq A, Anwer J. Pulmonary function parameters among marble industry workers in Lahore, Pakistan. F1000Res. 2021 Sep 17;10:938. doi: 10.12688/f1000research.52749.1. eCollection 2021.
citation: Chen CH, Tsai PJ, Chang WW, Chen CY, Chen CY, Yates D, Guo YL. Dose-response relationship between lung function and chest imaging response to silica exposures in artificial stone manufacturing workers. Environ Health. 2024 Mar 2;23(1):25. doi: 10.1186/s12940-024-01067-1.