Occupational Hazards, Safety Practices, and Serological Findings among Mortuary Workers in Uttar Pradesh: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Mortuary workers are an understudied occupational group with potential exposure to biological, chemical, mechanical and physical hazards. There is a paucity of evidence regarding occupational exposures, safety practices and selected serological markers among morgue workers in India especially in Uttar Pradesh. The present study assessed reported occupational exposures, workplace safety practices, infectious-disease awareness, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), workplace injuries, and select serological findings among workers employed in selected government morgues in Uttar Pradesh.
Methods: The present study is a cross-sectional descriptive study carried out amongst 107 selected and willing mortuary workers who were randomly selected from selected government district mortuaries in different administrative zones of Uttar Pradesh. Purposive sampling was used in the selection of facilities and the willing subjects in the selected facilities during data collection time. Data were collected using a pre-tested, structured, interview administered questionnaire, which included sociodemographic information, occupational details, knowledge of selected infectious diseases, occupational exposures, workplace injuries, personal protective equipment use, immunization status and chemical exposure. Serological testing for HIV, HBsAg, and anti-HCV was done using commercial enzyme linked immunosorbent assay kits from venous blood samples.
Results: There were more males (106 (99.1%)) in the workforce, while 81 (75.7%) respondents had over five years of work experience. The number of people who underwent occupational health training was 16 (15.0%). While there were 68 (63.6%) respondents who were aware of hepatitis, there were 30 (28.0%) who thought that their job could expose them to hepatitis B. There were 64 (59.8%) respondents who reported having received immunization against hepatitis B. This information was self-reported and was not verified against vaccination records. Awareness of tetanus and tuberculosis was very high (106 (99.1%) each). Personal protective equipment was not always used, while gloves [68 (63.6%)] and face masks (67 (62.6%)) were the common equipment used. Less common equipment included gowns (21, or 19.6%) and eye goggles (6, or 5.6%). Thirty-nine (36.4%) of the respondents reported work-related injuries, which included 37 (34.6%) sharp injuries, one (0.9%) splash injury, and one (0.9%) slip/trip/fall injury. The number of respondents reporting work-related injuries immediately was 16 (15.0%). The serological screening detected one (0.9%) HIV-reactive result, two (1.9%) HBsAg-reactive results, and one (0.9%) anti-HCV-reactive result.
Conclusion: The survey found deficiencies in terms of occupational health training, personal protective equipment uses, risk perception regarding infectious diseases, injury reporting, and workplace safety practices of the staff in selected government mortuaries. Serology results indicate screening reactivity and do not imply occupational exposure or acquisition of infection. Improved occupational health training, proper use of PPE, injury and post-exposure reporting, vaccination and occupational health surveillance could enhance workplace safety.