INFLUENCE OF AGE, SOCIOECONOMIC AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS ON MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS OF FEMALE PADDY THRESHING WORKERS

Abstract

Female workers in India actively participate in different agricultural jobs. Work related Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) are common among them. The main aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the prevalence of MSD in relation to their age, socioeconomic and nutritional status. For the study 82 female workers engaged in paddy threshing were selected at random from the different villages of different districts in West Bengal state. Socioeconomic Status (SES) was evaluated by modified Kuppuswami Scale. The MSDs of the female threshers were evaluated by the modified Nordic questionnaire method. The Perceived Discomfort Rating (PDR) was assessed during work by a 10-point subjective scale. The nutritional status of the workers was determined by cut-off values of Body Mass Index (BMI) prescribed by WHO. The results revealed that the subjects of upper-lower socioeconomic class had higher prevalence of MSDs than that of the lower-middle class. The MSD was the most prevalent in thigh, knee, shoulder and lower back of the female workers and high values of PDR was noted in those segments. It was noted that the occurrence of MSDs was significantly different (P<0.01) in most of the body segments in under- and over-nourished females than that of normal weight counterparts. The higher rate of MSDs and discomfort in different segments of the workers was observed in younger age group (20-35 years.) which might be due to lesser experience and skill in young age than that of the middle age group (36-45 years.). It was concluded that the socioeconomic status, BMI and age of the female threshing workers might be influencing factors for the occurrence of MSDs.