Quality of life and its determinants among sewage workers: A cross-sectional study in Puducherry, South India

There is a paucity of information on sewage worker's quality of life (QoL). Hence, we aimed to assess the QoL and its associated factors among sewage workers in Puducherry, coastal south India.

A total of 210 sewage workers were included in the study. QoL was assessed using a validated Tamil version of WHO QoL-BREF. The association of QoL with age, educational status, residence area, self-reported chronic illness, use of protective measures, tobacco and alcohol use was assessed by univariate analysis. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to assess the independent factors associated with QoL.

Overall mean (standard deviation) score of QoL was 56.9 (9); mean score of social relationship domain was comparatively lower than physical, psychological and environmental domains. Current tobacco and alcohol uses were 17% and 67%, respectively, while alcohol use during work (entering sump) was 5%. At least one morbidity was present among 94 (45%) subjects. About half (47%) used at least one protective measure while entering the drainage sump. Age group above 50 years, below primary level education, presence of chronic illness, smokers and alcohol users had significantly lower QoL score.

Social relationships' domain of QoL was very low among sewage workers. The majority of them do not use any personal protective devices and almost half had chronic illnesses.