1Associate Professor, Faculty of Physiotherapy, SGT University, Gurgaon, Haryana
2Assistant Professor, Faculty of Physiotherapy, SGT University, Gurgaon, Haryana
*Corresponding author: Sheetal Kalra, Associate Professor, Faculty of Physiotherapy, SGT University, Gurgaon 122001, Haryana (India). Contact No. +91-9990003410
Online published on 27 April, 2016.
There is limited research on female farmers in rural areas of Haryana, India regarding the extent of Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WRMSD's) and associated risk factors.
To establish the prevalence, pattern, associated risk factors of WRMSD's among female workers of rural Haryana, India.
It was a cross sectional descriptive survey conducted on 231 female farmers.
Standard Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire was used to collect data on the prevalence and risk factors of WRMSD's. Additionally information was also collected on educational status, time spent, entry age of involvement in work and amount of time spent per day at work.
There was a high prevalence of MSD'S among female farmers of rural Haryana. Low back pain was most prevalent followed by Neck pain, knee pain, shoulder pain, Wrist& Hand pain and Hip & Thigh pain. There was a close association between years of working experience and prevalence of MSD's. Results also revealed that farm women feel highly stressed during season. They are overburdened with work, with responsibilities of farm, home and livestock and get very less time in a day to rest.
Female farm workers suffer from multiple WRMSD's that are the consequences of occupational risk factors in agriculture including static posture, forward bending, heavy weight lifting, lack of ergonomic awareness etc. There is a need to increase awareness of MSD's among women and associated risk factors.
Work Related Musculo skeletal disorders (WRMSD'S), Farming, Ergonomics, Low Back Pain(LBP)
