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Bangladesh Journal of Bioethics 2017; 8(2):23-30  

 

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Nutritional Status, Personal Hygiene and Health Seeking Behavior of the 

Workers of British American Tobacco Company, Dhaka, Bangladesh 

M J Haque1, A Awal2, M Rahman3, J Sazzad4 

1. Professor of Community Medicine. Rajshahi Medical College; Rajshahi. 

2. Lecturer, Dept. of Public Health; Varendra University. Email: limonawal@gmail.com 

3. Food, Physio & Safety Inspector, J&Z group Company, Dhaka. 

4. Asst. Surgeon, Charghat Health Complex; Rajshahi. 
 

Abstract:  This cross sectional study was carried out among the workers of British American 

Tobacco Company, Dhaka with a view to explore their nutritional status, personal hygiene and 

health seeking behavior as because they are working on a tobacco processing company. The 

sample size was 179 which were selected purposively. The study showed that out of 179 

respondents 89 (49.7%) were in the age groups of 30-39 years and the mean age of the 

respondents were 31.99 ± 6.01 years. A large number of respondents (55.9%) had monthly 

family income of Taka 10001-20000 and the mean family income was Taka 12776.54 ± 5230.13. 

Maximum respondents (73.7%) were Muslim, more than half (54.2%) were shift in charge, 

39.1% of the respondents consisted of 4 family members, 43.6% respondents were accustomed 

to other type of eating habit and 38.5% respondents knew that malnutrition was the effect of lack 

of proper nutrition, 59.8% of the respondents knew that night blindness was the disease due to 

malnutrition, most of the respondents (91.6%) performed duties to maintain health, majority 

(62.0%) respondents used to do nothing to maintain healthcare for their children and 35.9% 

visited doctor’s single time in a month, 40.2% of the respondents told regular tooth brushing as 

type of healthy habits. Majority (64.8%) respondents used to brush twice a day, majority (50.8%) 

respondents used to wash hand after toileting, majority (62.08%) respondents used to bath daily, 

43.0% and 31.8% of the respondents told that dysentery and diarrhea was due to eating without 

proper hand washing respectively. Majority (53.6%) respondents informed that they learned 

about personal hygiene from television, 45.8% respondents understood that use of safe water in 

every work as sanitation. Majority (50.84%) came from nuclear family; most (84.92%) had 

exercise habit and 40.22% had education level of class VIII. Most (75.42%) of the respondents 

had semi pucca houses and majority (69.83%) of the respondents used only water as materials 

for hand washing. This study provided some important information which might help the 

concerned authority to take appropriate measures to improve the health status of the workers.  

Key words: Nutritional status, personal hygiene, health seeking behavior, workers, British 

American Tobacco Company, Bangladesh 

Introduction: Health care seeking behavior is one of the important landmarks to uphold the 

health status of an individual or a community. Simultaneously personal health care practice is 

also an important issue to keep some common infectious diseases away. Health care seeking 

behavior is related with social, economic and cultural factors.1 The sequence of curative actions 

that an individual seeks to cure perceived ill health is known as health seeking behavior.2-3 



Bangladesh Journal of Bioethics 2017; 8(2):23-30  

 

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Healthy practices varies in urban and rural areas, working environment and sometimes 

traditional believes .4  Health care seeking behavior first introduced by the family, community 

and society.5 Women are mostly depends on their husbands for maintaining nutrition and 

personal gyhiene.6-7 Health care seeking behavior is associated with different factors like age, 

sex, marital status, caste, religion, region/state, family size and parity, level of education, 

occupation of the head of the family, household wealth/poverty, women’s autonomy8-13, type of 

illness, number of days of illness12,14,15, awareness of and access to services, perceived quality of 

service, availability of transport, physical distance of the facility, time taken to reach the 

facility.12,16-19 

 

Materials and Methods: The study was cross-sectional and descriptive in design. The target 

population included all the workers of British American Tobacco Company, Dhaka. Sample size 

was 179 (Total number of employee were available at that time). All workers were interviewed 

(face-to-face) using a semi-structured questionnaire. Statistical analysis was carried out using 

SPSS program version 16.0. Descriptive variables were explained with mean and standard 

deviation.  

 

Results: Table 1 shows demography among the workers of British American Tobacco Company, 

Dhaka, Bangladesh. Table 2 shows that nutritional status, personal hygiene practices and related 

conditions among the workers of British American Tobacco Company, Dhaka, Bangladesh. 

 

Table 1.The factors assessed in all the study were utilized to describe the nutritional status, 

personal hygiene practices and related conditions among the studied populations (n = 179). 

 Respondents  Respondents 

Frequency Percent Frequency  Percent 

Age group of the 

respondents in years: 

(20-24) years group 

(25-29) years group 

(30-39) years group 

More than 40 years 

Designation of the 

respondents: 

Manager 

Asst. manager 

Supervisor 

Shift in-charge 

Religion of the 

respondents: 

Muslim 

Hindu 

Christian 

 

22 

44 

89 

24 

 

2 

6 

74 

97 

 

132 

41 

6 

 

12.3 

24.6 

49.7 

13.4 

 

1.1 

3.4 

41.3 

54.2 

 

73.7 

22.9 

3.4 

 

No. of Family 

members: 

4 persons 

5 persons 

6 persons 

7persons 

Monthly family 

income 

Taka 10,000 or less 

Taka 10,001-20,000 

More than Taka 

20,000 

X ± SD = Tk. 

12776.54 ± 5230.13 

 

70 

51 

49 

9 

 

69 

100 

10 

 

39.1 

28.5 

27.4 

5.0 

 

38.5 

55.9 

5.6 

 



Bangladesh Journal of Bioethics 2017; 8(2):23-30  

 

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According to the age of the participants about 49.7% participants were between 30-39 years 

of age and 13.4% above 40 years. The mean age of the respondents was 31.99 ± 6.01 years. 

Majority of the respondents (55.9%) had monthly family income of Taka 10001-20000, 

38.5% had monthly family income of Taka 10000 or less and a few (5.6%) had monthly 

family income of Taka more than 20000. The average monthly family income was Tk. 

12776.54 ± 5230.13. Most of the respondents (73.7%) were Muslim. A large number of 

respondents (54.2%) were shift in charge, 41.3% were Supervisor, 3.4% were assistant 

manager and a very few (1.1%) belonged to Manager by occupation. It was found that 39.1% 

family constituted 4 family members, followed by 28.5%, 26.4% and 5.0% constituted 

family members of 5, 6 and 7 respectively. Among the respondents 22.9% were vegetarian, 

20.1% used to eat balanced diet and 13.4% had diet lack of protein. It was found that 38.5% 

respondents knew that malnutrition was the effect of not maintaining nutrition, 33.5% of the 

respondents knew infection as a result of not maintaining proper nutrition. Majority (59.8%) 

knew that night blindness was the disease due to malnutrition; dental pain and anaemia was 

mentioned by 20.7% and 10.6% respondents respectively. It was also found that 8.9% 

 

Table 2 Assessed of nutritional status, personal hygiene practices and related conditions 

among the studied populations (n = 179). 

 

 Respondents  Respondents 

Freq

uenc

y 

Perc

ent 

Frequency Percent 

Eating habit: 

Balance diet 

Vegetarian 

Diet lack of protein 

Others 

Knowing effect of not 

maintain nutrition: 

Malnutrition 

Anemia 

Marasmus 

Infection 

Performing duties to 

maintain health: 

Yes 

No 

Knowing name of diseases 

due to malnutrition: 

Night blindness 

Anemia 

Dental pain 

 

36 

41 

24 

78 

 

 

69 

48 

2 

60 

 

 

164 

15 

 

107 

19 

37 

16 

 

20.1 

22.9 

13.4 

43.6 

 

 

38.5 

26.8 

1.1 

33.5 

 

 

91.6 

8.4 

 

59.8 

10.6 

20.7 

8.9 

Diseases affected by 

eating without proper 

hand washing: 

Diarrhea 

Dysentery 

Helminthiasis 

Don’t know 

Frequency of tooth 

brushing: 

Once a day 

Twice a day 

3 time s a day 

Time schedule of 

hand washing: 

Before eating 

After toileting 

Before eating & after toileting 

Time schedule of 

bathing: 

Daily 

 

 

57 

77 

32 

13 

 

62 

116 

1 

 

2 

91 

86 

 

111 

1 

67 

 

 

 

31.8 

43.0 

17.9 

7.3 

 

34.6 

64.8 

0.6 

 

1.1 

50.8 

48.0 

 

62.0 

0.6 

37.4 

 

 



Bangladesh Journal of Bioethics 2017; 8(2):23-30  

 

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Unknown 

Care seeking behavior for 

the children: 

Monthly doctor visit 

After six months 

Nothing 

Healthy habits: 

Regular tooth brush 

Daily bathing 

Hand washing before eating & 

after toileting 

Don’t know 

 

64 

4 

111 

 

72 

39 

62 

6 

 

35.8 

2.2 

62.0 

 

40.2 

21.8 

34.6 

3.4 

Alternate day 

No fixed day 

Source of learning 

about personal 

hygiene: 

Doctor 

Family 

TV 

Newspaper 

Understanding about 

sanitation: 

Use of safe water in every 

work 

Use of sanitary latrines 

Washing hands with soap 

Others 

 

35 

20 

96 

28 

 

 

82 

53 

43 

1 

19.6 

11.2 

53.6 

15.6 

 

 

45.8 

29.6 

24.0 

0.6 

 

 

respondents were unknown about the name of diseases due to malnutrition. It was revealed that 

most (91.6%) respondents performed duties to maintain health and only 8.4% respondents did 

not perform duties.62.0% of the respondents did not maintain anything for the proper nutrition of 

their children. Regarding type of healthy habits it was discovered that 40.2% of the respondents 

told regular tooth brushing, followed by hand washing before eating and after toileting and daily 

bathing constituted 34.6% and 21.8% respectively as type of healthy habits. Majority (64.8%) 

respondents used to brush teeth twice a day. It was found that majority (50.8%) respondents used 

to wash hands after toileting, followed by 48.0% who wash hands before eating and toileting. 

Only a very few (1.1%) used to wash hands before eating. Majority (62.08%) respondents used 

to bath daily, followed by 37.4% did not bath on fixed day. It was found that 43.0%, 31.8% and 

17.9% of the respondents told that dysentery, diarrhea and Helminthiasis were the diseases due 

to eating without proper hand washing and only a few (7.3%) did not know about the diseases 

affected by eating without proper hand washing. Majority (53.6%) respondents informed that 

they learned about personal hygiene from television, followed by from doctor. Use of safe water 

in every work, use of sanitary latrines, washing hands with soap and others were understood 

about sanitation that comprised 45.8%, 29.6%, 24.0% and 0.6% respectively.  

 

Figure – 1: Distribution of the respondents by type of family. 

 
 

Nuclear

Joint



Bangladesh Journal of Bioethics 2017; 8(2):23-30  

 

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The above figure showed that majority (50.84%) came from nuclear family and the rest (49.16%) 

belonged to joint family (Fig. no. 01). 

 

Figure – 2: Distribution of the respondents by exercise habit. 

 
 

Regarding exercise habit it was found that most (84.92%) had exercise habit and a few (15.8%) 

did not perform exercise (Fig.no.02). 

 

Figure – 3: Distribution of the respondents by educational status. 

 
Regarding educational status it was found that out of 179 respondents 40.22% had education 

level of class VIII, 32.40% had SSC, 18.99% had class V (Fig.no.03).  

 

Figure – 4: Distribution of the respondents by residence. 

 
 

The above figure showed that majority (75.42%) of the respondents had semi pucca house, 

13.97% had kancha and the remaining (10.61%) had building as residence (Fig.no.04).  

 

 

 

 

 

0.00%

100.00%

Yes No

0.00%

50.00%

Class V Class VIII SSC HSC

0%

50%

100%

Buliding Semi Kacha



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Figure – 5: Distribution of the respondents by materials used for hand washing. 

 
Regarding materials used for hand washing it was revealed that majority (69.83%) used only 

water, followed by soap, other materials and ash by 18.44%, 7.26% and 4.47% respectively 

(Fig.no.05).  

 

Discussion: This cross sectional descriptive study was carried out with a view to assess 

nutritional status, personal hygiene and health seeking behavior of the workers of British 

American Tobacco Company, Dhaka. The sample size was 179 which were selected purposively. 

According to the age of the participants about 49.7% participants were between 30-39 years of 

age and 13.4% above 40 years. The mean age of the respondents was 31.99 ± 6.01 years. In 

another study mean age of the respondents were 37.3 years.20 Majority of the respondents 

(55.9%) had monthly family income of Taka 10001-20000 and the average monthly family 

income was Tk. 12776.54 ± 5230.13. Maximum respondents (73.7%) were Muslim, followed by 

Hindu (22.9%). It was found that out of 179 respondents, majority (54.2%) was Shift in charge 

and (41.3%) were Supervisor. It was observed that (39.1%) family constituted 4 family 

members. It was found that (43.6%) respondents were accustomed to other type of eating habit, 

followed by vegetarian (22.9%). It was observed (38.5%) respondents knew that malnutrition 

was the effect of not maintaining nutrition and infection was opined by (26.8%). Most (59.8%) 

of the respondents knew that night blindness was the disease due to malnutrition. Most (91.6%) 

respondents performed duties to maintain health. It was revealed that majority (62.0%) 

respondents used to do nothing for their children and (35.9%) used to visit doctor monthly. It 

was observed that (40.2%) respondents told regular tooth brushing as type of healthy habits 

followed by hand washing before eating and after toileting constituted (34.6%).Majority (64.8%) 

respondents used to brush teeth twice a day, followed by once a day constituted (34.6%). 

Majority (50.8%) respondents used to wash hand after toileting, followed by (48.0%) used to 

wash hands before eating and toileting. It was revealed that majority (62.08%) respondents used 

to bath daily, followed by (37.4%). It was found that (43.0%), (31.8%) and (17.9%) respondents 

told that dysentery, diarrhea and Helminthiasis was affected by eating without proper hand 

washing respectively. Majority (53.6%) respondents informed that they learned about personal 

hygiene from TV, followed by from doctor constituted (19.6%). It was found that use of safe 

water in every work, use of sanitary latrine and washing hands with soap comprised (45.8%), 

(29.6%) and (24.0%) respectively. Majority (50.84%) came from nuclear family and the rest 

(49.16%) belonged to joint family. Most (84.92%) had exercise habit. It was found that out of 

0.00%

20.00%

40.00%

60.00%

80.00%

Only Water Soap Ash Other



Bangladesh Journal of Bioethics 2017; 8(2):23-30  

 

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179 respondents (40.22%) had education level of class VIII, (32.40%) had SSC and (18.99%) 

had class V level education. Majority (75.42% of the respondents had semi pucca and (13.97%) 

had kancha building as residence. Majority (69.83%) of the respondents used only water as 

materials for hand washing followed by soap comprised (18.44%).  

 

Conclusion: Maintaining nutritional status, practicing health care practice with good health 

seeking behavior makes a man healthy and wealthy. Integrated programs of health promotion in 

companies should be implemented. The people should be motivated about maintaining personal 

hygiene and sustain good health habit. Occupational health, safety and healthy working 

environment should be maintained by the authority.  

 

Author Contribution: First, second, third and fourth author contribute in research 35%, 30%, 

20%, 15% respectively. M J Haque has conceived the idea, conducted literature review, and 

developed the manuscript. Other authors have drafted the first version of the manuscript. All 

other authors have meticulously edited the manuscript.   

Conflict of Interest: There is no conflict of interest (COI) among the authors in relation 

profession, financial or any other condition.  

 

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