Karachi: Multi-faceted study conducted by Dr Asaad Nafees Assistant Professor Department of Community Health Sciences at Aga Khan University (AKU) is largest of its kind to determine effectiveness of simple intervention in reducing cotton dust-related respiratory health effects on textile workers in Pakistan. Study titled MultiTex RCT in collaboration with National Heart and Lung Institute (NHLI) and Imperial College London marked crucial step towards revolutionising occupational health interventions for textile workers in Pakistan and other Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs).

Persistent cotton dust exposure leads to development of disease called byssinosis, disease prevalent among textile workers in LMICs due to limited access to occupational health and safety measures. With an initial cohort of 2031 workers from 38 textile mills in Karachi, study tested low-cost intervention package to ascertain if it would mitigate adverse respiratory effects experienced by these workers. Interventions comprised training in occupational health for all workers and managers, regular refresher sessions, formation of workplace committees to enforce health and safety plan including wet mopping and safe disposal of cotton dust and provision of face masks. Results showed clear improvements in respiratory symptoms and lung function of textile workers.

Funded by Wellcome Trust for period of three years, findings of this important research can be applied to larger textile landscape helping workers in Pakistan and elsewhere stay safe and minimise their disease burden. Discussing study outcomes, Prof Paul Cullinan formerly of Imperial College London involved in study said, “Studies of this caliber on occupational health interventions are extremely rare and this work has promise for large-scale uptake since multifaceted intervention was designed to fit local context in Pakistan. There is no obvious reason why it could not be rolled out more widely, nationally and internationally.  In 200 years we have been faced with byssinosis, this work represents landmark in its control”. He underlined importance of these simple yet transformative interventions, advocating for their widespread adoption for benefit workers.

Dr Asaad Nafees Principal Investigator explained, “This trial was parallel, cluster-randomized controlled study with textile mills as unit of randomisation. It can be replicated across region to potentially impact respiratory health of all relevant workers and potentially result in healthier, more productive workforce.”

Engineer Sibtain Mughal Joint Director Labour government of Sindh committed government’s support to implementation of health measures recommended by study. “Workers deserve high level of care and attention since their health holds significant importance for industrial productivity and economy of country.” Study was recently accepted for publication in European Respiratory Journal.

Published in The Daily National Courier, October, 03 2023

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