Investigation on reproductive health status and occupational health needs of female workers in a steel enterprise

Objective To understand the reproductive health status of female workers in a steel enterprise, and to know their knowledge of both national labor protection policy and reproductive health, to ensure and promote the reproductive health of female workers.

Methods Totally 2 120 female workers in the logistic department and five major production departments in a steel enterprise were surveyed with questionnaires related to their issuance condition and awareness of national policy on female labor protection, the knowledge of occupational hazards they exposed to, and their needs for reproductive health knowledge. What's more, 1 790 females received the physical examination, including gynecological routine examination, breast examination, leucorrhea examination, gynecological B ultrasound and thinprep cytologic test(TCT).

Results Totally 56.87% female workers knew the occupational hazards they exposed to, but less half of them fully knew the national laws and regulations concerning labor protection and their rights. More than 70% of them cared their age-related gynecological diseases, and 49.16% female workers got the information or knowledge by smartphone. Gynecological examination showed that common female gynecological diseases were lobular hyperplasia (61.56%), cervicitis(36.20%)and uterine fibroids (24.69%). The detection rate of mammary lobule hyperplasia and uterine fibroids had a tendency to increase with age(P < 0.05), while the detection rate of cervicitis decreased with age(P < 0.05). It seemed the females occupationally exposed to hazards in the production departments had higher detection rates than those in the logistic department, with the significant differences in the detection rates of mammary lobular hyperplasia, uterine fibroids, cervicitis and vaginitis (P < 0.05).

Conclusion The female workers in this enterprise had insufficient knowledge about the laws and regulations on labor protection of female workers, although the demand for reproductive health knowledge was high. Exposure to occupational hazards may have adverse effects on the reproductive health of female workers. The enterprises should strengthen the occupational health work combined with health promotion work.