Health Problems and Associated Factors Among Grain Handlers in Bangladesh: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background Grain handlers are exposed to several occupational hazards, including grain dust, heat, smoke, heavy physical workload, prolonged working hours, and repetitive movements. These exposures may increase the risk of respiratory, musculoskeletal, eye, skin, and gastrointestinal problems. This study aimed to assess health problems and associated factors among grain handlers in Bangladesh. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 292 grain handlers working in rice mills in Munshiganj Sadar Upazila, Dhaka Division, Bangladesh, in 2021. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire. Socio-demographic characteristics, work-related factors, and self-reported health problems were assessed. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the findings. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with health problems. Results The mean age of the respondents was 38.04±11.01 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 5:1. Most workers worked >48 hours per week (86.3%) and reported overtime work (86.3%). Respiratory problems were the most common health problem, reported by 227 workers (77.7%), followed by musculoskeletal problems in 189 (64.7%), eye problems in 73 (25.0%), gastrointestinal problems in 49 (16.8%), and skin problems in 48 (16.4%). The most common symptoms were cough in 203 (69.5%), lower back pain in 107 (36.6%), red eye in 65 (22.3%), itching in 48 (16.4%), and abdominal pain in 29 (9.9%). In the adjusted analysis, no factor was significantly associated with respiratory problems. Eye problems were less likely among workers in the boiling section than among those in the drying section (AOR=0.40, 95% CI: 0.17-0.96; p=0.039). Primary education was associated with lower odds of skin problems compared with no formal education (AOR=0.39, 95% CI: 0.17-0.88; p=0.024). Musculoskeletal problems were significantly more common among workers aged 39-58 years than among those aged 19-38 years (AOR=2.71, 95% CI: 1.35-5.44; p=0.005) and among loading/unloading workers compared with drying workers (AOR=2.23, 95% CI: 1.10-4.53; p=0.026). Gastrointestinal problems were more likely among workers working >48 hours per week than among those working ≤48 hours per week (AOR=4.05, 95% CI: 1.16-14.15; p=0.029). Conclusion Grain handlers in Bangladesh experience a high burden of occupational health problems, particularly respiratory and musculoskeletal problems. Age, education, section of job, and weekly working hours were associated with selected health problems. Because of the cross-sectional design and reliance on self-reported outcomes, these findings should be interpreted as associations rather than causal effects. Improved occupational safety measures, including dust control, ventilation, ergonomic interventions, scheduled rest periods, health education, personal protective equipment, and regular health screening, are needed to protect this vulnerable workforce.