Reducing Silica Exposure Among Brick Kiln Workers in Nepal

Overview

Inhaling respirable silica increases the risk for silicosis, an incurable and debilitating lung disease. In South Asia, one high-risk industry is brick manufacturing, where more than 4 million manual laborers mold bricks by hand. In Nepal, brick manufacturing employs over 200,000 workers across 1,200 registered brick kilns. These workers are exposed to respirable silica concentrations 1.4 to 6.6 times higher than the limits set by the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Preventing silicosis is paramount, as the average brick kiln worker cannot afford medical care and only 6.8% receive regular health checks. Few studies have evaluated interventions in brick kiln workers to reduce silica exposure and prevent silicosis. One promising intervention involves providing workers who are exposed to silica above the permissible exposure limit with personal protective equipment (PPE), specifically respirators. When properly used, respirators decrease silica inhalation and the risk of silicosis. Brick kiln workers in Nepal do not use any PPE. Several studies have explored PPE barriers and have evaluated the feasibility of implementing PPE but to date none have been conducted in Nepali brick kiln workers. To close this gap, the goal of this research is a human-centered design approach to develop and pilot a PPE training program in one brick kiln in Nepal guided by the Discover, Design, Build, and Test (DDBT) framework. This research is necessary to understand the Nepali context and to efficiently develop appropriate and feasible PPE intervention components that will be trialed in future research.

Workers will be recruited from Bhaktapur, a district in the Kathmandu Valley. The investigators will conduct a four-part study. Part 1 will involve a quantitative, cross-sectional survey to understand baseline worker perceptions on silicosis and personal protective equipment (PPE). Part 2 will comprise qualitative co-creation human-centered design workshops to elicit feedback on PPE training prototypes and types of PPE. Part 3 will be a small feasibility pilot of the training program and most preferred type of PPE. Part 4 will comprise qualitative workshops to elicit feedback on the piloted PPE training program. The same participants may participate in Part 1 and 2. Participants in Part 3 will be a distinct group from those who participated in Parts 1 and 2. Assessments will include: Aim 1: Characterize knowledge gaps and behaviors influencing PPE use among brick kiln workers in Bhaktapur, Nepal Method: Quantitative, cross-sectional survey to understand baseline worker perceptions on silicosis and personal protective equipment (PPE). N = 100 workers. Aim 2: Design a personal protective equipment (PPE) training program for brick kiln workers in Nepal through a human-centered design approach Method: 4 qualitative co-creation human-centered design workshops. N = 20 - 40 workers. Aim 3: Evaluate acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of personal protective equipment (PPE) training through a pilot among brick kiln workers in Nepal Method: Feasibility pilot study at 1 brick kiln for 3 weeks. N = 20 workers (intervention) and N = 20 workers (control). 3 qualitative co-creation human-centered design workshops to elicit feedback after the pilot. N = 10 - 20 workers.