PREVALANCE OF RESPIRATORY HEALTH PROBLEMS AMONG CHERAT COAL MINERS DISTRICT NOWSHERA KHYBER PUKHTUNKHWA PAKISTAN

BACKGROUND: The coal mining is one of the neglected sector and thus the coal miners work underhazardous conditions; and thus coal miners showed an increased prevalence of occupational healthproblems.OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the prevalence of respiratory health problems among cherat coalminers district Nowshera Pakistan, as the occupational protective measures were not according to theinternational standards as defined by WHO/ ILO.METHODOLOGY: A total of 400 coal miners were selected from the four study areas of Cherat, andthen interviewed/ examined for respiratory health problems along with Pulmonary Function Tests(PFTs) and Chest X-rays (CXR).RESULTS: The results showed that 52% of coal miners suffered from signs & symptoms of respiratoryhealth problems; and on Pulmonary Function Tests and Chest X-Ray showed 88% and 75.2%respectively.CONCLUSION: It was concluded that the prevalence of respiratory health problems were high amongthe coal miners thus immediate remedial measures were needed in time from the concerned authoritiesfor improving working conditions, conduct regular medical check-ups, provision of protectiveequipments, and dust control measures etc to reduce the burden of respiratory health problems amongcoal miners.KEY WORDS: Prevalence, Respiratory Health Problems, Pulmonary Function Tests, Chest X-rays,Coal Miners.