Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38289711›Full record

SynthesisJournal of occupational health2024

A systematic review of work-related health problems of factory workers in the textile and fashion industry.

Raphael Kanyire Seidu, Emmanuel Abankwah Ofori, Benjamin Eghan, George Kwame Fobiri, Alex Osei Afriyie, Richard Acquaye

Open access · goldAbstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Journal of occupational health, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
7citing papers in PubMed
11.7field-weighted citation impact, top 1% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

7 citing papers in PubMed, 26 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Review
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Article
  5. Predicting workplace absenteeism using machine learning: a pilot study in occupational health.Journal of occupational medicine and toxicology (London, England) · 2025
    Article
  6. Article
  7. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors at 5 institutions in 3 countries.

Raphael Kanyire SeiduSchool of Fashion and Textiles, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China.ORCID 0000-0002-2053-0194
Emmanuel Abankwah OforiDepartment of Material Science and Engineering, Hubei University of Automotive Technology, Shiyan, 442002, Hubei, China.ORCID 0000-0001-6875-6283
Benjamin EghanDepartment of Industrial Art, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, AOK447, Ghana.ORCID 0000-0002-3598-8261
George Kwame FobiriDepartment of Fashion Design and Textiles Studies, Kumasi Technical University, Kumasi, AK040, Ghana.ORCID 0000-0001-9519-6699
Alex Osei AfriyieDepartment of Industrial Art, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, AOK447, Ghana.
Richard AcquayeDepartment of Textile Design and Technology, Takoradi Technical University, Takoradi, WK200, Ghana.ORCID 0000-0003-4986-4670
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology · GHHong Kong Polytechnic University · HKHubei University of Automotive Technology · CNKumasi Technical University · GHTakoradi Technical University · GH

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesThe purpose of this study was to present a systematic review of the health-related problems of factory workers in the textile and fashion industry. These workers endure long sitting postures, poor workspace conditions, and long working hours to complete their overload of tasks. This situation results in several health problems that affect the productivity, mental health, and well-being of the workers.

methodsThe relevant data (21 article publications) were obtained from the Scopus database. Analysis of the 21 articles was grouped under 3 research themes based on the critical reading of the content and abstracts: respiratory problems, musculoskeletal disorders, and psychological stressors and other health issues.

resultsThe findings show that factory workers are exposed to dust particles of cotton and other raw materials, fumes, and chemicals from manufacturing processes. This prolonged exposure without the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) leads to respiratory diseases like byssinosis that affect the workers' health. Additionally, working in a particular posture due to the workstation design for prolonged hours causes musculoskeletal disorders or pains. Workers also suffer from anxiety, depression, and stress from workload and pressure, hence making them unstable with reduced productivity.

conclusionsThe findings of the study reinforce the need for a safe workspace and spacious work environment, provision of PPE, training in occupational hazards, frequent health checks, and ergonomic assessment of workstations to reduce prolonged work postures. Stakeholders, employers, policymakers, and governments should collaborate to safeguard and protect the well-being and health of the workers at these factories.

Indexed as

Musculoskeletal DiseasesOccupational DiseasesOccupational ExposureTextile IndustryHumansOccupational HealthOccupational StressPersonal Protective EquipmentPostureWorkloadWorkplacehealth problemsmusculoskeletal disorderspsychological stressorsrespiratory problemstextile and fashion industrytextile and fashion workers

Identifiers

PMID38289711
PMCPMC10964409
OpenAlexW4391345618

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.