KARACHI: A multi-faceted study conducted by the Aga Khan University (AKU) has shown how simple interventions can effectively reduce cotton-dust related respiratory health problems among textile workers in the country.

Titled MultiTex RCT, the study was conducted in collaboration with the National Heart and Lung Institute and the Imperial College London.

It marked a crucial step towards revolutionising occupational health interventions for textile workers in Pakistan and other low and middle-income countries.

Persistent cotton dust exposure leads to development of a disease called byssinosis, a disease prevalent among textile workers in developing countries due to limited access to occupational health and safety measures.

Over 2,000 workers from 38 textile mills participated in research

With an initial cohort of 2,031 workers from 38 textile mills in Karachi, the study tested a low-cost intervention package to ascertain if it would mitigate the adverse respiratory effects experienced by these workers.

The interventions included training in occupational health for all workers and managers, regular refresher sessions, formation of workplace committees to enforce a health and safety plan including wet mopping and safe disposal of cotton dust, and provision of face masks.

The results showed clear improvements in respiratory symptoms and lung function of textile workers.

Discussing the study outcomes, Prof Paul Cullinan, an expert who was involved in the study said: “Studies of this calibre on occupational health interventions are extremely rare and this work has promise for large-scale uptake since the multifaceted intervention was designed to fit the local context in Pakistan.”

Dr Asaad Nafees, Assistant Professor at AKU’s Department of Community Health who was the Principal Investigator, explained: “This trial was a parallel, cluster-randomised controlled study with textile mills as the unit of randomisation. It can be replicated across the region to potentially impact respiratory health of all relevant workers, and potentially result in a healthier, more productive workforce.”

Key findings were recently presented at a seminar, where Engineer Sibtain Mughal, Joint Director Labour, Sindh government, expressed official commitment to implement health measures recommended by researchers.

The study was funded by the Wellcome Trust for a period of three years.

Published in Dawn, October 5th, 2023