November - December, 2019/ Vol 6/ Issue 6 Print ISSN: 2349-4158, Online ISSN: 2349-4166 Original Research Article Public Health Review: International Journal of Public health Research Available online at: www.medresearch.in 219| P a g e Cross sectional study of health problems in female bidi rollers in Telangana, India Kawale S.N. 1 , Shinde M.A. 2 , Shinde P.S. 3 1 Dr. Suchita N. Kawale, Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Mallareddy Institute of Medical Sciences, Suraram, Telangana, India, 2 Dr. Manjusha A. Shinde, Assistant Professor, Department of Physiology, Chalmeda Anandrao Institute of Medical Sciences, Kareemnagar, Telangana, India, 3 Dr. Prashant S. Shinde, Consultant Paediatric Gastroenterologist, Gleneagles Global Hospital, Lakdi ka pul, Hydrabad, Telangana, India. Corresponding Author: Dr. Suchita N. Kawale, C/o Dr. Prashant S. Shinde, Consultant Paediatric Gastroenterologist, Gleneagles Global Hospital, Lakdi ka pul, Hydrabad, Telangana, India. E-mail- suchisuccess80@gmail.com ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Abstract Introduction: Bidi manufacturing in India is one of the biggest jobs for women in the age-old industry and unorganized sector. Female bidi rollers are exposed to unfiltered tobacco dust and volatile compounds containing hazardous chemicals while making bidis as they do not use any protective wear. Our objective of the study is to find out the health problems in female bidi rollers and suggest preventive strategies. Materials and methods: The present study was a community based cross sectional descriptive study. The study was undertaken in bidi rolling factories of Telangana state. Randomly five bidi factories were selected out of 72 by lottery method and all the female bidi rollers present in the bidi factory at the time of visit were taken as sample size which was 400. Results: The present study shows that maximum number of female bidi rollers 272(68%) were found in the reproductive age group 15-45 years, 240 (60%) belong to socio economic class IV, 256(64%) were illiterate and around 248 (62%) of the females were aware about the adverse health effects of bidi rolling. The most common morbidity was pain in shoulder/neck observed in 290(72%) females.176(44%) respondents were suffering from backache/ headache.155(38%) having generalised weakness,112(28%) having cough and 88(22%) having breathlessness. Conclusion: The present study concludes that poverty, illiteracy and ignorance are the main factors forcing female bidi rollers in this harmful occupation. They should be encouraged to use protective material like protective clothing, gloves or masks to avoid harmful exposure to tobacco causing severe health issues. Keywords: Bidi rollers, Cross sectional study, Health problems ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Introduction A bidi is a cigarette made from flavourful tobacco citrates. After World War II, bidi industry became an important cottage industry in India. With the discovery of power looms in the 1960s, many of the leaders were left unemployed, and they took up bidi rolling jobs in Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh. By the mid- 1970s, major tobacco industries were concentrated in Nizamabad, Kareemnagar and Warangal. Bidi workers are often the most vulnerable group in society, most of which depend on Bidi rolling in rural India. Bidi manufacturing in India is one of the biggest jobs for women in the age-old industry and unorganized secto [1]. Female bidi workers are unaware about the health hazards of bidi rolling. They ignore the health problems arising out of bidi rolling and never seek medical help for it due to fear of loss of daily wages. Manuscript received: 18 th November 2019 Reviewed: 28 th November 2019 Author Corrected; 4 th December 2019 Accepted for Publication 7 th December 2019 Most of these female bidi workers are in reproductive age group and exposed to the harmful effects of bidi tobacco. Bidi is made by using 0.2 to 0.5 grams of pulverized sun- cured (unfiltered) locally grown tobacco rolled in to a cylindrical shaped tendu or temburi leaf and secured with a thread. The tobacco rolled in bidis is different from that used in cigarettes and it is referred as bidi tobacco. Bidi rolling is a one of the major occupations for most of the women, who form the root of the industry. Mostly the people who are employed in this job are illiterates. They are engaged in the process of bidi rolling since a very young age and they roll approximately 500-1000 bidis everyday using 250- 400gm of tobacco. These bidi rollers work in small factories or at household- base enterprises or at home in an environment laden with tobacco dust. Individuals working for 6 to 10 hr/day and inhale swallow, expose