Prevalence and associated factors of respiratory symptoms and illnesses among brick kiln workers in Nepal —A cross-sectional study

Objective: This study aimed to measure the prevalence of respiratory symptoms/illnesses and evaluate their association with similar exposure groups among brick kiln workers in Nepal. Methods: This cross-sectional survey used a modified Nepali version of the American Thoracic Society Division of Lung Diseases (ATS-DLD) questionnaire to measure the respiratory symptoms and illnesses of 390 brick kiln workers. Logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the association between respiratory symptoms and illnesses with similar exposure groups, age, duration of work, and smoking among brick kiln workers. Results: A significant number of workers reported experiencing chronic cough (12.3%), chronic phlegm (10.8%), wheezing (9.2%), chronic bronchitis (10.8%), and asthma (3.6%). Interestingly, people with similar exposure groups, such as coal crushers, were almost four times more likely to have chronic coughs and asthma. Also, coal crushers had higher rates of chronic phlegm (odds ratio [OR] 2.89; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.26–6.61), and chronic bronchitis (OR 2.41; 95% CI, 1.02–5.65). Firemen were also twice as likely to have wheezing and chronic bronchitis. Similarly, individuals transporting red bricks were more likely to report chronic phlegm (OR 2.78; 95% CI, 1.41–5.49). Green brick stacking/carrying was used as the reference group for similar exposure groups. Conclusion: A higher significance of respiratory issues is reported in coalmen, firemen, and red brick loaders. Technology transfer and natural gas substitution are necessary to protect workers.