Reproductive Health Challenges and Coping Strategy: A Case Study of Construction Workers in Odisha

Abstract
Background: With the rapid growth of the construction sector, the number of female construction workers has also increased. And the women working in the construction sector are vulnerable to several health problems which are inadequately addressed by the health sector.
Aim and objective: The proposed study intends to highlight the reproductive health problems of women in the construction sector. Apart from this, the study focuses on the health seeking behavior and the role of social support to address the reproductive health problems.
Methodology: The study was carried out both in the twin cities and the industrial city of Odisha by taking the women workers in the age group of 15-49. Around 300 respondents were selected randomly working at the construction site. A pre- designed structured questionnaire along with in depth interview technique was used to get the responses.
Conclusion: Women working in the construction sites are vulnerable to several factors like heavy workload, exposure to the substances at the workplace, stress, etc. Such work situations cause workers to experience abnormalities in their reproductive health and thus unknowingly remain infected for a longer period of time.
Keywords: Construction workers, reproductive health, coping strategy.