Health Hazards of the Rural Environment
Item
- Title
- Health Hazards of the Rural Environment
- Date
- 1986
- extracted text
-
HSZJLTII HAZALDS OF THE RURAL ENVIROOTOJT
In the- -level op in world, the environment in ur1 an areas is
generally better controlled than the environment in rural areas where
pollution geos on unr’.•ated.
Legislation aiming at the provision of an environment ccndnc-ivo to romoting healthy physical and mental development is enforced
in towns but generally nc Loctc'-’1 in the rural areas. In the rural
areas enforcement officers arc net available in sufficient numbers,
the population is uncocperative because" of illiteracy and the funds
necessary, for development ar insufficient. All these factors, added
to which arc traHitier, al habits and superstitions, rake the life of
the peasant bar! and hazardous.
THE CHALLENGES FACED BY THE HEALTH TEAM ARE IHLLELOUS BUT, WITH
TACT, KNOWLEDGE AND PATIENCE, THEY CAN EE TACKLED SUCCESSFULLY .
5.1
HEALTH HAZARDS WITH WHICH THE HEALTH WCR.KER HAS TO DEAL
Every situation presents its own hazards an*3 in this Manual
it would not be possible to deal with individavl situations. The
general hazards to which a rural community is exposed include the
fcilowing i
1. Hazards outside the hone such an bad roads, c olloctions
of refuse, breeding of disease-carrying isects and
vermin, stray legs, unprotected water ccllections, un
hygienic eating places, or unprotected electrical installa
tions C
2. Hazards in the hone such as open fires, sharp implononts,
over crow-ling, badly constructed houses, unhygienic feed
and water storage arrangements, insanitary latrines, or
uncontrolled disposal of waste water and solid wastes.
3-
Hazards in the fields such as accidents related to the
use of agricultural tpols, snake bites, scorpion
stings, diseases related to the use of pesticides, or
diseases related to contact with plants and pollens.
4* Hazards related to cottage industries such as accidents
with machinery or heal uh hazards to potters, weavers,
and dyers.
5* Hazards related to traditional habits such as those
connected with the collection of animal wastes for
household use, or hazards .related to the breedingof livestock.
6. Hazards related to lack of education aheut hcvflthv
such as poor personal hygiene or wrong foed habits.
7. Hazards related to poor medical facilities such as lack
of trained personnel, dispensaries and drugs.
8. H- zards related to poverty such ar malnutrition, lack of
shelter or inadequate protective clothing.
HELPING THE OOI-WNITY TO OVERCOME THE HEALTH
HAZARDS OF THd RUT.AL ENVIR0N1 jECT
You as a health werker, have been trained to be able to
cope with most of ^ho hazards of living in a rural environment and
bhuo • .or,,by will rely on. fou to a great extent to promote healthy
.living a nd development.
5 <2
: 2 :
USE YOUR KNOWLEDGE AD SKILLS TO T. E BEST ADVANTAGE AM DO NOT
HESITATE TO ASK YOU: SUPERVISOR’ S ADVICE AID Till FEMALE HEALTH
WORKER’S COOPERATION. WHEN NECESSARY < REilEMBER THAT YOU ABE
WORKING AS A TEAM WITH A COM-ON GO/iL A D YOW ACTIVITIES MUST
BE DEVELOPED AS A TEAM -
5*2.1 HAZARDS CUTSB/F THE HOMS
1. Bad Beads: While the inporvement of roads is not the res
ponsibility cf the health worker, as a community worker you can help
in motivating the coi^cunity to improve their own reads to reduce the
risk of accidents, as well as to improve communications •
In Cha-;tor 13, ’ Accidents1, you will find instructions on how
to deal with accidents.
2. Collections cf Refuse: In many rural areas refuse is composted
for use on agricultural land and the coliectic ns of refuse outside
houses nay be limited. However, it still happens..that refuse is moved from
the house to an open place near the village, because of lade of facili
ties for transporting the refuse to a safe distance aways from houses.
Your • duties as a health worker in tl is case are enumerated in
section 6.4*
VILLAGE LABOUR i,AY BE REQUIRED TO HELP YOU RENDER REFUSE COLLEC
TIONS SANITARY. IN THS CASE CONSULT THE COM.UNITY LEADERS AND
TRY TO GET VOLUNTARY LABOUR FOR TEE CO' iiON HEED OF THE COMMUNITY.. ’
3- Breeding of Di sea so -carrying Insects and Vermin: The breeding
of Hies and rats is closely connected with refuse disposal, both out
side the house and on die house premises, This bro.'ding must bo reduced
or preferably completely prevented if diarrhoea, plague and typhus fever
arc to be kc^t under control.
RBiEMBEF /ISO THAT RATS ARE VOIACTCUS FOOD EATERS AND CONSUME
VALUABLE FOOD WHICH TH CCiaUNtTY NEEDS. WHAT THEY DO NOT EAT
THEY SPOIL BY THEIR URINE AND FAECES RENDERING LARGE QUANTITIES
CF FOOD UNFIT FOR HUMAN CO’SUMPTION.
IN THE FACE OF THE HAZARDS OF MALNUT1T TION. THE- r * T MENACE
ASSUMES EVEN GREATER IMFCRT1ACE .
Proceed as follows:
a. Fly Control
i* Ensure that household refuse is hygienically disposed of
both in the house and on-a community basis (communal
refuse should be burnt or buried).
ii. Ensure that sanitary latrines are used for the disposal
of human excreta.
iii. Ensure tliat animal excreta is disposed of in a’sanitary
• way.
Soo section 6.3 for details. ’
b» Rate Control
i. Ensure the proper disposal of household refuse and communal
refuse tips (communal refuse sheuld bo burnt or buried) .
ii.. Store the food in. rat proof containers.
iii. When the rat population grows to eonsidcrablo proportions,
call upon your supervisor to arrange for trapping or
poisoning rats <
•. .Contd/3~
I
3
REMEMBER THAT-FATS GO IN SEARCH OF FOCD Al© IF FO’D IS Nd
AVAILABLE T! BY L-FSl T THE ITEMISES .
c. Mosquito control
The breeding habits of the malaria mosquito (Anopheles) and
those cf tho mosquito (Culcx) that carries filariasis differ. The
former broods in stagnant or slow moving water in natural habitats
and tho latter in stagnant water in artificial habitats*
The malaria mosquito broods in stagnant or slow moving water,
wells and other collections of water cutside tho house. These will
require:
i. to be emptied if tho collections are small c..g», holos in
the read or by t’:c roadside;
ii. to bo treated -ith ralariol or other larvicides if the pools
arc largo;
iii. to be removed by filling in or complete removal, o.g*, holes
in tree trunks must bo cut so that water will not collect
in them:
iv. to be irrigated if tho collections arc at the side of.streams.
The filaria-earring mosquito breeds in tins, old car tyres,
rater tanks in horses and other mna.-mr.de water collections, Those will
require.
i. to be emptied and turned upside down so that water cannot
collect in them;
ii. to- be completely removed;
iii. to be treated with. malariol, if the containers arc t oo largo;
iv. to be covered so that mosquitoes cannot enter them.
4- Stray Dogs: Stray dogs abound in villages and rummage for .
food around human habitations. -The biggest hazards they pose, besides
biting pec pic who disturb them, is the hazard of rabies.’ Rabies is
a very serious virus disease which affects tho ncrv.us system, and
once tho si^ais and symtpoms of the disease arc established death is
certain.
TIE ONLY WAY TO TACKLE TIE PROBLEM CF RABIES IS TO PREVENT IT .
THIS CAN BE ACHIEVE' ONLY BY lilUHIZIKG AIL DOGS AGAINST RABIES OR
DESTROYING ALL STRAY LOGS .
Proceed as follows:
i- If a person has boon bitton by a dog, take the precautions
enumerated in section 18.12.
ii* Report to your supervisor the presence of stray dogs in your
area, especially when their numbers become unctcnrollablc •
• IT IS THS DUTY GF Til; HEALTH L SISTANT (MALE) TO ARRAi’IGE FOR STRAY
DOGS TO BE DESTROYED.
iii. Educate the community on the hazards attached to the pro son co
of stray dogs in the area and elicit their cooperation to
control this hazard.
5* Unprotected Water Collections: Unprotected water collections
can be used for drinking purposes or arc simply rain water collections.
Both present hazards to health, the former in tho spxroad of intestinal
diseases and the latter as breeding places for mosquitoes. The danger
cf cliildron drowning in water pools is always present.
: 4 •
Your duties in relation to unprotected water collections used
for drinking purposes arc enumerated in section 6.1.7*
Your duties in relation to water collections which arc a hazard
through providing mosquito breeding sites are dealt with in section
5*2.1*
See section 20-9 on how to deal with a person who has drowned.
6- Unhygienic Eating Places: In many villages, restaurants and
soplisticatcd eating places arc not usually found as the people eat
at hone. However, tea slops where snacks arc prepared usually exist.
It is your duty as a health worker to keep a watchful eye on these'
places.
Proceed as fellows:
a. Take an inventory of all the tea shops in your area and chart
them on the map rt the subc'ontro.
b. riake an initial inspection to assess the following:
i. the state of th.X building and whether it is* hygienics or
lends it r elf to the contamination of food;
ii- the so: rec of t'.c water supply and water used for the
washing up of eating and cooking utensils;
iii. the types of food served;
iv. the apparent state of health of the food handlers.
c. Advise the tea shop owners on how to improve conditions
which arc found to bo below the required health standards-. ...
d. lake periodic visits to those shops to btect early deteriora
tion in their practices and to ensure that the standards arc
maintained.
IEMELEEF. THAT THE TEA SHOF IS AN IDEAL VENUE FOR PASSING INTOF.i IATION
•TO-TI-S OQT UNITY AID TrU-S O-PFCITUNL-TY SHOULD BE AVAILS. OF WHEN HEALTH
EDUCATICil ACTIVITIES /JI BEING OIGAKEZID .
7* Unprotected Electrical Installations: In many rural areas
electrical installations are. insufficiently protected and carry danger
warnings which are of no use to illiterate people. They pose hazards
of electrocution, particularly to children.
As a health worker, it is your duty to spot these hazards
and bring then to the notice of the responsible authority.
See section 20.8 on how to deal with patients who have been
electrocuted.
5.2.2
IIAZATA'S IN THE HOLE
1. Open Fires: The use of open fires for cooking purposes,
and in the winter for heating purposes pose hazards to health, parti
cularly to children. .
Whenever you oolio across an 'open fire in aheno, bring to
the attention of the mother the drngor an open fire creates for
children and the importance of keeping children away from unprctccted
fires.
If a child or any other person is burnt or scalded proceed
as detailed in section 18 .8.
IF GOW DUNG IS USED FOR FUEL SHOW THE HOUSEHOL’‘*ET.; HOW TO BUILD A ■ •
SliOKELES; CHULA UTILIZING COW DUNG FUEL.
2. Overcrowding : Overcrowding in itself creates hazards
to health, cspcftailly in the spread of air-borne diseases and contact
diseases, cig., leprosy. In the rural area houses* arc not supplied
with r.uch ventilation. 'U'l moreover, - hat little is available is
..... Cout^/5”
blocked up ^or ~crr
thieves or wJld c.nirals-
As a health worker your re:.-pc no abilities are to inform the
community of the hoa? th hazards posed by overcrowding and advise
on ways tc solve them
Proceed as fellows;
i. Educate the household on the risks of overcrowding
in the hones and the way diseases arc spread.
• ii. Talco t-.is as an opportunity tc spread the family
•planning prerraiw, if it is not already accopted in
that particular household.
iii. Educate the family on the special precautions which
which must bo taken to prevent the spread of respira
tory diseases, c.g., tuberculosis, especially to
children, if any member cf the family is suffering
from such a disease.
iv. Discuss the advantages of proper ventilation in
overcrowded houses.
3* Badly Constructed Houses: Badly constructed houses pose a
health hazard because if they collapse they can cause permanent injury
er death. Not only the material used but also the way the house is
planned may be dangonus.
whenever you find a badly constructed house, proceed. as-dxllowsj----
i. Advise the householder whore he can get help for
improving the safety cf his hpusc.
ii. Plastering the walls will prevent the breeding of
sandflies and other insects. Advise the householder
to snocthcn the walls using locally available material.
iii. Smooth floors rovent the spread of dust and Iccally
available material must be used to pad:the floors to
remove the dust hazard.
iv. Bay attention to the roofing of the house to protect
against adverse weather conditions.
v. Help the hc-vse’fholdor to improve the planning of his
house to make it more habitable and conducive to healthy
living•
vi. Educate the household on the advantages to health of
‘ well-constructed house s.
4. Unhygienic Food Storage Arrangements: Food in rural areas
is in short supply and its proper storage is important to protect it
against being eaten by rats, as well as against contamination by flies
and other insects.
Proceed.as fellows:
i. Inspect the food storage arrangements.
ii. A.’’vise on the improvement s necessary to protect •’•ho
food frrn being eaten or shoilod by rats, or c entanti, nated by flics and weevils.
. E'ucrtd the fcnly on the importance of eating clean food
and ’iscuss with then the diseases that are spread by conta
minated food.
iv. L c.k at the arrangements for storing grain and make sure
t x-.t the container is protected from infestation by
rats and other vermin.
,0ontd/6-
: 6 :
The Food Safe: the Food Safe shown in figure 5-1 is easy ard
cheap to construct. It has the following advantages :
i. The food is protected against flics and other insects
and vermin. rake sure that the wire mesh is of the right
sizer.
ii. The food- is ventilated and can be kept firly cool if the
safe is placed at the proper place in the house.
iii. It can locked against stealing of the food.
iv. By placing each leg of the safe in a tine containing water,
or by hanging the safe to keep it off the floor, you will
protect the food against invasion by ants.
/
YOU LUST ADVISE -THE HOUSEWIFE AGAINST STORING COOKED FOODS FCR. TOO
LONG AS THEY CAD GET SPOILT AID TITS ENCOURAGES THE BREEDING CF~GEKS .
Insanitary Latrines: The hazards of insanitary latrines in ttey
5homes have been described in section 6.3.
You should detect the number of insaitary latrines in your
area during the base-line survey. This survey will also give you the
opportunity to assess the number of households which have to latrine
at all....
...
.
THS USE CF A LATRINE OFTEN REQUIRES CHANGES IN ATTITUDE BY THE USER .
THESE CAN BE ACHIEVED ONLY THOUGH A CONCENTRATED EFFORTED ON YOUR
PART BY- EDUCATING THS COi a UNITY AND DEMONSTRATING YOUR VJILLINGNESS TO’
HELP.
If possible construct a water-seal latrine (e.g., RCA or PRAI)
to demonstrate hew a sanitary Jatrinc can be built and how it is to be
used.
Sec section 6.3 .1 for further details.
Contd/7-
: 7 :
6* Uncontrolled ’ isposal of Waste Water and Solid Wastes:
The hazards tc health following uncontrolled disposal oflliquid
and solid wastes arc described in sections 6.2 and 6*4 whore methods
for the sanitary disposal cf these wastes are also described.
The information collected during your initial survey for baselino data will give you an idea of the magnitude of the problem in
your area* Fracced by drawing up a program©, with the help of your
supervisor, tc deal, with the problem piecemeal,
YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE REF. AHENT IMHI)WiEETS IN I ETHOLS CF WASTE
DISPOSAL . THE BEST WAY TO ACHIEVE T IS IS THTOIGi- A FL/llNED
STRF-BY-STEF DOGRA! LE BASED ON LOCAL CONDITIONS, HABITS AND
TABOOS. TRY TO AVOID- ANY CRASH IROGEALHES WHICH rAY NOT LEAD TO
THE DESIRABLE ILERA1-IEHT RESULTS .
REi-EiBER TH/.TYCU1 SUEERVISCR IS SPECIALLY TRAIN
IM E’WIRORIENTAL
LKJuTH AND ALL YOU! ED ORTS IN TRIS FIELD SHOULD EE CLOSELY BLANK
ED WITH HIM AND THROUGH HIS ADIVC5.
5.2.3. rL-Zzr:>'< in the ftdlds
The farmer spend s most cf his work ng dry in the field where
he is ' sing agricultural tools, mechanized or otherwise, and whore
he is in constant ‘ contact with plants and chemo cals, All those create
occupational health hazards of which ho lias to be made- awa.ro by the
health worker so that good her 1th is promoted and maintained*
1. Accidents Related to the use cf Agricultural Tools:
Agri cultured tocls whether ’ mechanized or not, usually consist of heavy
equipment supplied with sharp blades which arc often unguarded*
Accidents from such tocls include:
i. cuts producing wounds cf varying degree and. severity,"
ii • fractures, which ray be simple, compound or complicated:
iii. crvshi'.'g injuries which may result in injuries to vital
organs- these arc roro likely to occur when tractors arc used
in farming•
Sec the chapters relating to the various types of injuries and
follow the steps suggested therein for the- treatment of accidents*
REMEMBER. THAT FIELDS ARE ALWAYS FULL OF 1 AMURE WHICH IS USED
AS A FERTILIZER: SO E 'SURE THAT EVERY AOCIDE T I1TVOLVIHG A WOUNDMUST BE GIV7.H ESTATES TOXOID CT AlII-TETAiUS S-LUM.
2* Snake Bites: Ac enakes arc usually found in the countryside, it
is not surprising that the majority of snake bites occur in farmers,
particularly during the liarvoBting of sugar cane, wheat, etc*, when
the habitats where snakes live arc being destroyed* Special precau
tions must, therefore, bo taken during this period.
See section 18*9 for the procedures to be followed in cases with
snake bites*
3* Scorpion Stings: As scorpions also live in the rural areas,
farcers are more prone than other people’to scorpion stings. However,
scorpions often enter he sos in villages and live under boxes, etc*
so that the community is also at a high risk.
Soo section 18*10 for the procedures to bo followed in scorpion
stings *
Conld/8-
J
4* Diseases Related to use of Pesticides: The farmer who
wants to &et a good income from selling his crops has to ensure that they are
they arc not destroyed
with
„ ’ ‘ or‘ infested
‘
A ' pests,
* As a pest control
measure, ;pesticides (DDT,BHC, Malathion, etc) and used for spraying
crops•
The pesticide is sprayed in a fne spray and the aerosols may
. be inhaled by the- sprayer, causing bronchial and lung irritation which
nay result in chronic disease. Contact with the pesticide may produce
skin disease’which will, require attention- Furthermore, certain
pesticides, e.g., I .elathion, are toxic and way be injurious to health
causing poisoning^ DDT, the most comonly used pesticide in many
parts of the country7_..i.s retained in the body and cumulative toxicity*
nay result.
‘
...
AS A HEALTH WORKER YOU ATE FESTO SIDLE FOR EDUCATING THE CO i-i-UNITY- ON THE HAZARDS RELATED TO TEE USE OF PESTICIDE-.: AD THE FRECUJTIONS
■JlgON MUST BE TAKEN TN USENG EESTICibES-. 1TSVENTIVE FEST;CIDE TOXICITY IS VEDY IMPORTANT AS CURING PATIENTS
'•Uli PESTICIDE POISONING. IS PROLONGED AND CHRONIC INCAPACITATING
COIOTlOiS’ FAJ EECCriT. FSTABLISLUD .
Proceed as follows:
i. Acquaint yourself with the kinds of pesticides in use in your area,
area —
ii. Discuss with vour supervisor and the agricultural officers
the Hazards related to the pesticides in use.
iii» Inform. the con-unity of the dange s to their health whnn
pesticides are badly handled.
iv. Inform • then of the precautions which they must take to pre
vent contact, inhalation and poisoning, from pesticides.
v. Ensure tra-t hildren arc- not exposed to pesticide poisoning.
“IF YOU SE. A;~ SENGS OF H 3TICIDE TOXICITY REFER TICE PATENT TO
THE DOCTOR WITHOUT DELAY.
•
•>. Diseases Related to Plants and Pollens: Allergies to
plants- and pollens occur more frequently in rural areas where plants
of various kinds'are to be found. .Very often a person who is
allergic to specific plants will know at what time of the year signs
and symptoms of allergy occur. If thoaialcrgy is specific to one
plant (which is seldom the case), do sensitization is possible but
this is a lengthy procedure and has to bo done by a skin specialist. •
In practice it docs not happen with farmers because the allergy is
often of a multiple nature and do sensitization would then be difficult.
Allergic symptoms occur in the form of:
I. attacks of’asthra (see section 20 .4.1);
ii. skin allergy (see section 13.1).
When these symptoms arpcar treat as scheduled* in the relevant
•socti-ais referred -to above-.......... -- -....................................
•
■gOnrTHZRGAS Cirl 5E H2E\/E1’TW,E*9^CI/lUY'’V5W TW OCCUR AT A
D-FT?-t^e SEASON OP TIHE OF THE YEAR . IN THESE CASES REFER THE
P/TIFT TO THE JTIMASY IEALTR CENTRE FCF ADlrICE . •
I
Coikl/9-
k
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: 9 :
Your responsibilities in preventing the occurrence of allergies include:
i. educating the farmers on the cuasos of asthma and allergic
skin diseases;
ii. advising them, on the use of protective clothing to prevent
contact between plants and the skin;
iii. advising then on the use of inhalers when signs start to
appear.
6. Diseases Related to Field Dust: In the dry season, the fields
arc dry and dusty. Particles of dust are inhaled and. my cause bronchial
irritation giving rise to attacks of bronchitis. Continuous exposure'
to the inhalation of dust -will result in chronic bronchitis, which my
slowly incapacitate the farmer from doing a full day’s work.
IT IS YOUE DUTY TO ADIVSE FARI-iERS TO SEEK EARLY MEDICAL TREATI-JSCT F(R
ANY CHEST CC WITIONS TO FEEVEOT THE ESTABLISH.1NT OF CKR'. IC CHEST
DISEASES.
‘
'
Irritation of the eyes is more frequent in the rural areas-during
the dry season than at other titles of the year.
5-2.4
HAZARDS RELATED TO COTTAGE INDUSTRIES
Small industries are- established in many rural areas, where
the activities are developed in the hone and the products arc sold
through cooperatives or directly. The most popular of these industries
are weaving, dyeing, and the production of textiles, and potteiy.
Machines may bo used to a large cr smAll extent and a number of people
nay <pt together at the place ofuvrk, constituting a small factory.
Unless proper precautions arc falcon, those industid.es nay pose health
hazards and it is ycur duty to advise on the health of the workers.
Proceed as follows:
a. Carry out a survey of all the cottage industries in your
area.
b. Note the typo of industry and the number of workers that each
employs.
t.
•
’
c. Noto the typo'of building where the ’industry is carried out *
with special reference to:
i. lighting;
ii . ventilation;
iii. drainage, if water is used in the prooess.
d. If machinery is used, e.g., sowing machines, looms, or potter’s
wheels, note whether the machines are protected against
accidents.
e. Keep a supervisory control >rx the health aspectsx of the
industries.
,
\
1’
• Accidents'With Maeliinezy: Mechanical machines which a^cc used
in cottage industiros should bo properly protected to prevent accidents.
Particular attention should bo paid to chopping and-turning .machines in
which fingers can bo crushed or got amputated. The machines used for
chopping up animal ford is often the cruse of amputated fingers, especially
in cldldrpn-who'arc not aware of the hazard it carries. Aa this machine
is found in many’rural homos, you should pay special attention to it.
Contd/10-
-i'
: 10 :
TECHTWUSS APPROPRIATE FOR THE
VILLAGES 4- SOME ..EXAMPLES
IlieroveT~Tiaehines are used, proceed as follows:
i.
During your visit to the villa.ges, note whether-the-machines are
poperly guarded and used.
ii. Advise on any changes that my be necessary to render machinery safe.
iii. Note the lighting and ventilation and advise on any improvements you
consider necessary to promote a healthy working environment.
In ease of accidents with machinery treat as suggested-under' the -chapters
dealing with wounds and fractures.
2. Health Hazards of Pot cars, Weavers and Dyers: Pottery is a common
source of employment as containers for carrying water and other pottery
utensils are in common use- The material used by the potter contains
silica, which when inhaled gives rise to irritation of the bronchi and
lungs and may result in chronic lung diseases., AH.0 the risk of bums
from kilns-which are used for baking the pettery pose a hazard to health
---^unless p-oper precautions areiaken. Textile weaving,, carpet weaving and
—-------- other, industries where (cotton is used pose, a health hazard because of the^
fine cotton dust which is inhaled, cmusin/j bronchial and lung irritation
It is, tdicreforo, very important that a.de-gryte--ve-rrbi 1 at.ion be provided
in places where those trades are conducH&ed so that the fine cotton dust
is carried away from the ’ orking enviiwinonb < Extractor fans arc a big
help in reducing this occupational hazard, while-at the same time^they^
eheap -to rarchasc, ’ easy to fit and cheap to run.
£HILCBEK SH0UI1 NOT BE ALLOWED TO WORK .TN Il©tTSTRIES WHERE COTTON -IS
T^EDTO THEIR HEALTH FAY RE1UL1..
Chemical dyes are usually used in the dyeing of cotton fabrics. "These
dyes if ingested in large doses, nay have a harmful effect on the body.
Children should be kept away from dye guts in which the dyeing prouesq
is carried out as the after finishing. work to Emove the chemical dycs^i ‘
their hands*
•
If any of these trades are in operation .in ycurzrrea^ proceed as follows:
a. Pottery
•
i
i. Check that the dust from the potter’s wheel is carried away
from the pottef and it is r.ct inhaled.
••• *
ii. Check that the 'a chine ry iwed is not liable to cause accidents,
iii. Check that the waste water is drained away in a sanitary .way*
lv« Educate the potter how‘to .take precua’fc ions' to protect his health*,
v. If a lain is used, ensure that the. hazards of fire are removed-.
1: • Heaving/
*
‘
.
i. Check the pr epises. ’iherb-’ weaving industries are carried' out to
ensure 'that the premises are general ly suitalle.
if. Check the ventilation to ensure that cotton dust is carried away
from the ■ uildirgv'
:
: •
aiL->. Cicek the mqt^hods .employed' for the disposal of .’waste products*
/ 1
U he workers invays of yrttciting their’health against
the cico ;ses.arising out of.their employement •
. ’
.
r
' rmpirovcTiernts -w^ricli LH^'~fJiJ~rmcussa.r
her
<y to flPAndfrr- the
rnforaent healthy. ■
. ;ic i -pcrta-jco of s ..ekingearly treatment for diseases with
iri< ^yT'toms,. , • ■
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• •
_________
?_______ .
■< 1 1 . 7 ' -_______ •
'
’Sep t'-.i tube i.ixur with tour sj pervisor- when carrying out aciteviI„j TO OCTTAGS I1DUSTRIES..AS HE .‘IS IN A POSITION TO COOJERATE
- ■i’itcirs totouw 4-th;wpmuni-tt- develo-mlnt- -iwustk-ieal111
nr-
:- n
v. If a kiln .is used,, ensure that the hazards of fire are
removed.
br Weaving:
-- i...Check the premises where weaving industries are carried out to
ensure that the premises are gnerally suitable.
ii. Check the- ventilation to ensure that cotton dust is carried
away from the buiKing.
iii. Check the methods cmnolyed for the disposal of waste products.
iv. Educate the workers in ways of protecting their health against
the diseases arising out of their empt^ymont.
v. Advise on improvements which may be necessary to render the
working environment healthy.
vi. Advise on the importance of seeking early treatment for diseases
with chest signs and symptoms.
KEEP VERY CLOSE CONTACT T?ITH-Yf’UR SUPERVISOR WIEN CARRYITG OUT ACTIVITIES
RELATED TO COTTAGE, INDUSTRIES AS HE IS IN A POSITION TO COOPERATE WITH
OTHER OFFICERS CONCERNED WITH COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INDUSTRIAL PROJECTS.
c. Dyeing:
i. Check that the sullage wager is disposed off in a sanitary way.
■ii . Advise, those handling dyes to wash their hand^ properly before
eating.
5.2.5
HAZARDS RELATED TO TRADITIONAL HABITS
•• Tradition and necessity demand that certain practices which nose hiealth
hazards be carried out in rural areas. Livestock and chickens are kept t~o pro
vide milk and food and to use in land tilling and cultivation where mechanised
agriculture is not yet developed or on small holdings. Aslo, the limited,
income of the small farmer demands that maximum use be made of wastes to nro-r^
vide compost and fuel,. both of which create health, hazards.
1 . Health Hazards Connected with the Collection of Animal Wastes fTor
Household Use: Cow dung is collected in many villages for making into cakics v'i
which are used to provide fuel for cooking and heating. The dung is colLectcd
by hand, mixed with husk and ’flattened out into shape for drying in the conen
sun. This method of 'collection and preparation is insanitary and, particularly--^-,
if the person handling the dung has cuts on the hand, exposes.him or her to
the- risk of tetanus and other infections. This, coupled with fly breedinog
and the lack of personal hygiene leads V a .high incidence of diarrhoeas
among children.
If^you are working in an area where cow dung is collected for use as
fuel, take the folic wing precautions to safeguard -the community ’s health::
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' i. educate the community on the risks connected with this habit;
ii . impress upon the community, particularlyth(^.children employed
1 in this ’trade’, the need for personal hygiene and the impoitaniEje
of not letting cow dung get anywhere near the mouth through the
fingers and liands. The importance of washing the hands and es
pecially the finger nails with soap and water before .eating must
particularly stressed.
iii. Discuss the hazards of handling cow dung when cuts are rr esent
on the hands.
iv. Assist the community in finding suitable places away from the
house for drying the cow dung calces to reduce the fly breeding
dangers.
v. Assist the houseowner in construction smokeless chulas for use with
cow dung nakco.
vi. Impress upon cow dung handlers the importance of seeking medical
treatment for cuts and other injuries.
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Cow dung is also used in composting and in manure nits. For details
on the control of these nits to render the nrocess sanitary see section 6.4*2..
2. Health Hazards Related to the Breeding of Livestock: Livestock is
part and parcel ox' every village house and forms the major form of wealth.
It is essential for nutrition and serves an a source of income. It is necessary,
however, that cows and buffaloes be kept in hygienic conditions which do not
create health hazards.
Your duties te promote the community1 s health require that you:
i
i. advise the heuse owners to provide adequate space for their livestock
to avoid their being too near the house itself; '
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT STABLES' SHOULD BE PROVIDED FOR LIVESTOCK SEPARATE
FROM THE LIVING QUARTERS.
ii. advise that refuse from stables should be collected regularly and
composted in a sanitary way;
iii. advise that livestock should bo kent clean to avoid fly
infestations;
iv. advise that the cow’s udders should be cleaned before milking
and so should the milker’s hands;
v. advise that the feeding -places for livestock should be raised
off the gourd and kent clean;
vi. advise that sick cows and buffaloes should be kept in isolation
and treated;
vii. educate the community on the diseases related to livestock which
could be passed on to man, e.g., tuberculosis from cows or undulant
fever from goats.
THE FAMILY AND ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH IT LIVES /HE INSEPARABLE AND THE
IMPROVEMENT OF THE LATTER MUST HAVE A BENEFICIAL EFFECT OF THE FORMER.
5.X.6. HAZARDS RELATED TO LACK OF EDUCATION
One should distinguish between education and schooling. A person
may be an excellent scholar but his or her ideas about healthy living may
be grossly lacking. It is your duty to teach the community how to develop
good personal habits and how to ensure a healthy environment.
Your duties
include:
i. particination in health education programmes for school childrn;
ii. teaching school children how to keep healthy through personal
hygiene; the care of their teeth, the use of clean clothing and
ill. bedding, healthy sleeping habits and good nutrition;
iii. teaching children the importance of physical exercise for- the
preper development of the body and the mind;
iv. educating the children regarding the importance of a healthyhome for maintaining good health;
v. educating the community leaders to appreciate their rslP
in health promotion activities to improve the community
environment;
vi. educating the heads of the households on. ways to promote the
health of their families through improving the enjdjpnment of
their households;
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vii. educating the mothers on how to loek after their children and
promote their health through regular immunization, goad
nutrition and healthy living.
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YOU MUST ALWAYS KEEP GOOD RELATIONS WITH ANY MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS
WORKING-IN YOUR AREA. REMEMBER THAT THEIR OBJECTIVES ARE THE SAME
AS YOURS, ’TO PROVIDE HEALTH FACILITIES TO THE COMMUNITY AND TREAT
THOSE WHO ARE SICK’ .
Communications in many rural areas are not very , satisfactory and
patients may have difficulty in reaching the Pr-'mary Health Centre
when they are feferred to the doctor. As far as possible you should
try and arrange transport for such patients.
In cases of emergency,
elicit the assistance of the village panchayat and other community
leaders who may be able to help in providing some form of transport.
UTILIZE TO THE MAXIMUM THE VISITS BY THE DOCTOR AND THE SUPERVISOR
IN EXTENDING THE MEDICAL FACILITIES TO THOSE WHO HAVE NOT GOT THE
MEANS T'O TRAVEL.
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YOU HAVE- A MAJOR ROLE TO PuAY IN THIS FIELD AND IT IS HOPED THAT YOUR
PRESENCE IN THE COMMUNITY WILL PROVIDE BETTER HEALTH CARE AND BE THE
MAIN FACTOR IN PREVENTING SIMPLE AILMENTS FROM BECOMING MAJOR COMPLI
CATED AILMENTS BY R ECEIV ING.’F R OM IT AND ADEQUATE MEDICAL CARE OR
EARLY REFERRAL.
Both you and your team make, the health norker (female), are expected
Do not
to spend to considerable part of your time in home visiting. Do
miss this opportunity to lock after the health needs of the-family
in its own home.
KNOW YOUR LIMITATIONS AND REFER PATIENTS TO SEE THE DOCTOR IN GOOD
TIME.
THIS WILL HEI^P THE PATIENT TO RECEIVE A BETTER QUALITY OF
HEALTH CARE THAN. ‘’ T PRESENT.
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HAZARDS RELATED TD POVERTY; !
Millions of people in India live below the pover:y line, i . e. they
The average
cannot afford the basic requirements of food and shelter
income in rural areas is blow that of urban workers, but the needs
of rural populations are also less than those of town dwellers.
.Poverty bb itself may not affect health adversely, but when it is
combined with .ignorance and a lack of education then the effects on
health become manifest. The lack of adequate schooling facilities
in rural areas reduce opportunities for health education of children
and the establishment of §ood living habits among them.
Bad nutrition i.» rural areas 'is often attributed to poverty. h0ljever 9
it is clear that poverty alone is not to blame, but cooking habits
and eating fads play an important role in the high incidence of
amlnutrition in India.
YOUR ROLE IS TO GET THE MOST OUT OF UHAT THE PEASANT IN THE RURAL
AREA CAN AFFORD WITH HIS LIMITED INCOME. PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO
NUTRITION AND COOKING HABITS AND TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT
TEACH AND SHOD PEOPLE HOU TO SPEND THE LITTLE MONEY THEY CAN AFFORD
IN THE BEST POSSIBLE WAY.
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Ypu can help the community in your area by*i) getting them advice nn uhat crops to grow for food (food
crops) and for selling (cash crop); this will help their
nutrition as well as give them an income;
ii) teaching them how to get good nutrition from cheap foods;
iii) demonstrating to them how to cook foods as to retain their
nutritions proper ties; take the cooperation of the Health
Worker (Female) in this activity.
iv) teaching them to maintain good health; this will save them
money which they would normally spend on medicine;
v) Motivating them to practise family planning so that the
little wealth they have will not be dissipated among many
persons;
□ c that they can work mrre
vi) tolling them how to keep fit oc
and earn more money for their food and comfort.
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REMEMBER THAT POVERTY IS A SYNDROME CAUSED BY A NUMBER OF FACTORS.
IDENTITY THESE FACTORS AND FIND SOLUTIONS TO THEM.
YOU WILL FIND
THAT TO SOLVE THE MANY PROBLEMS YOU WILL HAVE TO COOPERATE WITH
OTHER OFFICERS? e,g. AGRICULTURAL, EDUCATIONAL, AND COMMUNITY DEVE
LOPMENT, WORKING IN THE SAME BLOCK AS YOUR SELF.
AS A HEALTH WORKER YOU ARE A COMMUNITY WORKER AND ALTHOUGH YOUR WORK
EMPHASIZES HEALTH YOU MUST REMEMBER THAT HEALTH IS RELATED TO MANY
FACTORS.. SO BEHAVE AS A COMMUNITY WORKER AND THE COMMUNITY WILL SEEK
YOUR ADVICE.
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Position: 2041 (4 views)