Work-related problems facing women of reproductive age in streets/roads cleaning in Dar-es-Salam, Tanzania

Introduction
Maternal mortality is a great concern internationally. In developing countries, many of the contributing factors have been linked to poverty and poor health services. However, working condition and environment is contributing factors towards maternal health outcome. Prevention or controlling reproductive health hazards can improve maternal health and reduce miscarriages, low birth weight and birth defects. 

Methods
A survey to identify work-related problems for reproductive women was conducted where 94 women of reproductive age were participated. Women were visited and interviewed on site using a structured questionnaire. A checklist was used to assess workplace environment. The data was entered and analyzed using SPSS computer package.

Results
Results of the survey show that 11% of the women were pregnant of which 30% of them felt daytime sleepiness and fatigued. 15% were breastfeeding and 7.1% of them experienced health problem involving complications due to pregnancy or child birth. 

Other problems which prevailed were backache (35%). All of them were exposed to extreme temperatures, high noise levels, dusts and heavy manual work. 

About 95% of them had no resting facilities during breaks, 88.3% had to stand up for long periods during work. Also 84% were subjected to excessive or intensive work load; 98% were lacking clean hand-washing facilities and drinking water; and 94% were experiencing violence, bullying or harassment.

Discussion
Study findings support the contention that these are various work-related problems in the sector studied and that intervention measures need to be taken by various stakeholders to prevent and control those problems. Training and information on good work practices and effects of work hazards on overall health of the workers and particularly the effects of work hazards to mothers and the new born should be disseminated.