Title
Health on the frontlines: Morbidity patterns and influencing factors among healthcare workers in southern India
Authors
B. Venkatashiva Reddy1,*, Vishnu Rajan2, Ramireddy Gari Likhitha 1 & Rajeev Aravindakshan1
Affiliation
1Department of Community and Family Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Mangalagiri, Andhra Pradesh, India; 2Department of Community Medicine, MES Academy of Medical Sciences, Perinthalmanna, Kerala, India; *Corresponding author
B .Venkatashiva Reddy - E-mail: drshiva222@aiimsmangalagiri.edu.in, Phone: +91 90271 38309
Vishnu Rajan - E-mail: cfm@aiimsmangalagiri.edu.in
Ramireddy Gari Likhitha - E-mail: m02jan025007@aiimsmangalagiri.edu.in
Rajeev Aravindakshan - E-mail: rajeev.a@aiimsmangalagiri.edu.in
Article Type
Research Article
Date
Received March 1, 2026; Revised March 31, 2026; Accepted March 31, 2026, Published March 31, 2026
Abstract
Frontline healthcare workers in India face heavy workloads, occupational hazards and limited access to occupational health services. This mixed-methods study conducted in a tertiary care institution and its rural primary health centre in southern India assessed morbidity patterns among 102 workers using quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews. Musculoskeletal disorders were most common (49%), followed by respiratory illnesses (18.6%) and mental health problems (7.8%), with nearly half anaemic and 38.2% overweight or obese. Participants reported physical strain, administrative burden, poor ergonomic support and barriers to healthcare access. Thus, we show a substantial morbidity burden and the need for integrated occupational health services, regular screening and supportive workplace interventions.
Keywords
Frontline healthcare workers, occupational health, morbidity patterns, mixed-methods study, health-seeking behaviour
Citation
Reddy et al. Bioinformation 22(3): 1794-1801 (2026)
Edited by
P Kangueane
ISSN
0973-2063
Publisher
License
This is an Open Access article which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly credited. This is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.
