Medicina (Kaunas) 2007; 43 (6): 495-500

Key words: work environment; risk factor; morbidity of workers; textile industry.

Summary. Objective. According to the Department of Statistics at the beginning of 2003, 551 textile industry and garment enterprises operated in Lithuania. The purpose of the study was to evaluate morbidity among workers in textile industry enterprises in Kaunas and analyze the data obtained in relation to sex, age, profession, and occupational health hazards.

Material and methods. A sick-leave-based case-control study was conducted in the units of four textile enterprises where 1842 workers were employed. Data were categorized in relation to sex, profession, and kind of sickness. Age was grouped in the following way: under 29 years, 30–39 years, 40–49 years, and over 50 years.

Results. In the period of survey, 1482 cases of sick leave were reported in the enterprises where 1842 workers were employed. The main cause of absence because of sickness was respiratory diseases – 37.3% (30.27 cases per 100 workers), nursing took the second place –17.0% (13.76 cases per 100 workers). Accidents and injuries made up 9.3% (7.5 cases per 100 workers), musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders – 7.9% (6.4 cases per 100 workers). Data were analyzed using statistical programs SPSS 97, Epi-Info 6.0.

Conclusions. Main morbidities reported included respiratory diseases (37.3%), nursing (17.0%), accidents and injuries (9.3%), musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders (7.9%). The incidence of morbidity among workers engaged in workplace where occupational risk factors exceeded hygienic standards was higher. The rate of morbidity also increased with age and sex; morbidity among women was 1.5 higher than among men.

Correspondence to R. Ustinavičienė, Department of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Kaunas University of Medicine, A. Mickevičiaus 9, 44307 Kaunas, Lithuania. E-mail: ruta.ustinaviciene@med.kmu.lt

Received 6 April 2006, accepted 27 April 2007