Knowledge, attitude and practices regarding respiratory symptoms among textile workers of Karachi, Pakistan: a cross-sectional survey

Objectives: To determine the prevalence and predictors of good knowledge, appropriate attitude and appropriate protective practices regarding respiratory symptoms among textile workers, and to determine the association of knowledge, attitude and practices with respiratory symptoms. Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted in 2009 and comprised male workers from 15 textile mills in and around Karachi. A structured and pre-tested questionnaire was used which included questions to explore the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding respiratory symptoms. SPSS 19 was used for statistical analysis. Results: The study had a sample size of 372 and found prevalence of good knowledge to be in 182 (48.9%) workers and appropriate attitude in 302 (81%), while only 80 (21%) were practising these measures appropriately. Being educated and older than 38 years of age, belonging to Sindhi ethnicity, and working in the weaving section were significant (p<0.05) predictors of knowledge, attitude and practices. Generally, there was no significant association of knowledge, attitude and practices with respiratory symptoms (p>0.05). Conclusions: There was low prevalence of appropriate practices, high prevalence of good knowledge and attitude, indicating an interplay of several other social and environmental factors which need to be explored.