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Peak expiratory flow rate of carpet weaving children
S K Joshi1, P Sharma, U Sharma
1Department of Pediatrics, Sir Padamapat Mother and Child Health Institute, S.M.S. Medical College, Jaipur.
Insights
Children in carpet weaving factories show impaired lung function and poor nutritional status. Their peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) is significantly lower than controls, indicating adverse health effects from this occupation.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Pediatric Health
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Child labor in carpet weaving factories poses significant health risks.
- Assessing the impact on lung function and nutritional status is crucial for intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the adverse effects of carpet weaving on children's lung function and nutritional status.
- To compare lung function (PEFR) and anthropometric values of child laborers with controls.
Main Methods:
- A field study involving 110 boys (6-15 years) from 23 carpet weaving factories in Jaipur.
- Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) was measured and compared with socio-economic controls.
- Linear regression analysis was used to correlate PEFR with age, height, and weight.
Main Results:
- Carpet weaving children exhibited significantly lower PEFR than controls (p < 0.05), except in the 6-7 year age group.
- Study participants were significantly shorter and lighter with smaller chest circumferences (p < 0.05).
- PEFR did not significantly differ when children were grouped by height.
Conclusions:
- Children employed in carpet weaving factories demonstrate stunted growth (shorter and lighter).
- This growth retardation is associated with reduced lung function (lower PEFR) compared to non-working children.
- The findings highlight the detrimental health consequences of carpet weaving on child laborers.
Objective:
To assess the adverse influence of carpet weaving on lung functions and the nurtritional status of children employed in such factories.
Design:
Comparison of the peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) of the study group with controls of similar socio-economic status and correlate it with anthropometric values.
Setting:
Field study.
Subjects:
One hundred and ten boys, 6-15 years of age engaged in 23 carpet weaving factories of Jaipur city.
Outcome Measures:
Linear regression analysis using age, height and weight as independent variables and PEFR as the dependent variable.
Results:
PEFR of carpet weaving children were significantly lower (p < 0.05) than controls for all except 6-7 years group. The height, weight and chest circumference of these children were also lower (p < 0.05). PEFR did not show significant difference when children were grouped according to their height.
Conclusions:
Children working in carpet weaving factories are shorter and lighter compared to normal school going children. As a consequence of the growth retardation, their PEFR values were also lower as compared to normal children.