O-336 Risk factor assessment and screening for common cancers and NCDs among railway police personnel – a cross-sectional study. (14th March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Patil, Anil; Mishra, Gauravi; Pimple, Sharmila; Kulkarni, Vasundhara; Dorai, Shakti; Kule, Meena
• Is Part Of: Occupational and environmental medicine. Volume 80(2023)Supplement 1
• Page Start: A75
• Page End: A75
• Publication Date: 2023-03-14
• Subjects: health education -- screening -- railway police -- non-communicable diseases -- tobacco; Medicine, Industrial -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; 616.980305
• DOI: 10.1136/OEM-2023-EPICOH.185
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1351-0711

Abstract

Abstract : Introduction: Working in Railway Police is challenging and stressful. It involves working at odd hours, altered dietary patterns, easy availability of tobacco and hence increased risk of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). Objectives: To determine the risk factor exposure, NCD prevalence, compliance to health education programmes and NCD screening among Railway Police Personnel. Methods: Railway police in Mumbai were invited to temporary clinics set up on railway platforms after obtaining due permissions from Senior authorities. Informed consent was obtained followed by sociodemographic and risk factor assessment and health education sessions. Screening for NCDs was conducted by trained Primary Health Workers and screen positives were referred to Nodal Hospital for further evaluation. Proposed plan is to screen all Railway Police based in Mumbai (around 4000). Interim analysis of 958 participants covered till date is presented. Results: Among 958 eligibles invited, 766 (80.0%) participated and were enrolled. Mean age was 40.54 ± 9.357 years. 689 (90.0%) had shift duties with 120 days (median) of shift duties per year.102 (13.3%) used tobacco, 81 (10.6%) used alcohol and 233 (30.4%) used both tobacco and alcohol. 55 (7.2%) had history of diabetes, 76 (9.9%) hypertension and 26 (3.4%) had both. Amongst 766 participants screened for NCDs, 303 (39.6%), 126 (16.4%) and 87(11.4%) were positive for obesity, hypertension and diabetes respectively and were referred to Railway Police hospital. 64 were screened positive amongst 766 screened for oral cavity cancers. 103 (77.4%) women police were screened for breast cancer and 101 (76.0%) for cervical cancer. 5 each were screen positive for breast and cervical cancer and were referred to nodal hospital for further management. Conclusion: Prevalence of risk factors and NCDs is high among Railway police personnel. It is feasible and of utmost importance to implement education for lifestyle modification and screening of NCDs. This can be replicated among Railway Police Personnel working across India.