Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development
  • Year: 2019
  • Volume: 10
  • Issue: 10

Prevalence of Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Sugarcane Farmers in Muzaffarnagar, India

  • Author:
  • Shahrukh Chaudhary1, Zuheb Ahmed Siddiqui2,, Prachi Tiwari2, Junaid Jameel3
  • Total Page Count: 5
  • Page Number: 582 to 586

1Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT), Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, School of Nursing Sciences and Allied Health, Jamia Hamdard

2Assistant Professor, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, School of Nursing Sciences and Allied Health, Jamia Hamdard

3Physiotherapist, Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hospital, Rohini, New Delhi

*Corresponding Author: Dr. Zuheb Ahmed Siddiqui (PT) Assistant Professor, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, School of Nursing Sciences and Allied Health, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi-110062 Phone: +919810744297 Email: zuhebahmedsiddiqui@gmail.com

Online published on 23 December, 2019.

Abstract

India is agrarian economy with millions of people involved in farming and agricultural related activities. The agricultural tasks involve risks that are associated with development of musculoskeletal disorders among farmers. Thus in our study we attempt to analyze the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among sugarcane farmers of Muzaffarnagar district in Uttar Pradesh.

A total of 120 male subjects aged between 20–60 years were recruited based on the inclusion criteria. Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire was used to identify the presence of Musculoskeletal Disorders.

The descriptive analysis of data revealed four common musculoskeletal disorders affecting sugarcane farmers: lower back pain (55%), knee pain (44%), Shoulder pain (23%) and Upper back pain (13%)

Based on the findings of this study, it is hereby recommended that sugarcane farmers should be enlightened on a regular basis on the high prevalence of the WMSDs among them, and the precautionary measures to be taken in order to prevent the development. Age of farmers, their years of working and the long hours they spent working in a standing position may be significant factors that contribute to the high prevalence of the WMSDs among them. The most commonly affected body parts included the low back, knees and upper back.

Keywords

Prevalence, sugarcane farmers, musculoskeletal disorders, Nordic