Goldsmiths at serious risk of cardiovascular diseases: Study

Dhaka, March 10 – Country’s goldsmiths are under serious threat of premature death with an average age of 59 mostly due to cardiovascular diseases, said a research report unveiled by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU). According to the findings of the researchers, the rate of premature death among the goldsmiths is the highest.
When the goldsmith workers are dying prematurely, the average life expectancy of Bangladeshi is 72.3 in 2018 as per Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics.
BSMMU report said there are approximately three lakh goldsmith workers employed in different goldsmith shops across the country.
The report said the major cause of death of 55 per cent goldsmith workers is cardiovascular diseases including ischemic heart disease and stroke.
Assessing the case studies of the diseases of the goldsmiths, 45 per cent were suffering from cardiovascular diseases and 20 per cent were suffering from cancer.
Of the diseased cases, 65 per cent had hypertension, 50 per cent had diabetes, 35 per cent had heart disease and 20 per cent had kidney-related complications.
BSMMU report said 75 per cent goldsmith workers suffered from more than two types of non-communicable diseases.
The report finds that the lifestyle of the goldsmiths provides some kind of indication about their causes of death. Around 70 per cent had the habit of regular smoking while 20 per cent used to consume smokeless tobacco. Even 50 per cent of them had the habit of imbibing alcohol.
Researchers said it is imperative to know the reason behind the death of the goldsmiths as they are engaged in various types of occupational hazards.
Chief researcher and assistant professor Dr Md Khalequzzaman said, “We will try to find out the real causes of the premature deaths of the goldsmiths in another research considering the lifestyle, food habit, work environment and others.”
BSMMU Vice-Chancellor Dr Kanak Kanti Barua said, “The government is giving highest priority on research work. BSMMU is also continuing its tireless efforts in research activities. This research will also shed some lights to find out the causes of the premature deaths of goldsmiths.”
BSMMU Treasurer Prof Dr Mohammad Atiqur Rahman said, “The goldsmith workers are affected by various restrictive and obstructive lung diseases due to their occupation and smoking. They need to stop smoking, alcohol and to take preventive measures during work and should take regular health examinations.” – Staff Reporter