Postural stress and work-related musculoskeletal disorders of female labors working in agricultural fields with traditional methods

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to analyze the posture, intensity of body pain and drudgery experience of the female agricultural laborer working in vegetable farms using traditional methods. The study was conducted in vegetable farms of Harnampura village and Malerkotla town of Ludhiana district. Random sampling technique was used to select the 100 respondents of the study. Interview method was used to collect the relevant data from the respondents using an interview schedule. Results revealed that majority (33%) of the respondents were in the age group of 40-50 years. Respondents performed the activities of planting/sowing, hand weeding, cutting/plucking, sorting and cleaning in bending, sitting or squatting postures. Mean scores of intensity of pain felt by respondents in different body parts revealed that respondents felt very mild (score-1) to very severe pain (score-5) in various body parts due to working in awkward postures for long durations. Hand weeding and cleaning of vegetables were rated as very demanding (mean score- 4.6); and planting/sowing, hand weeding and cleaning activities were very exhausting (mean score- 4.7, 4.6 and 4.8 respectively). Respondents adopted very difficult posture while planting/sowing, hand weeding, cutting/plucking and cleaning (mean score- 4.7, 4.6, 4.7 and 4.8 respectively). Planting/sowing and cutting/plucking were very painful activities (mean score 4.6); cutting/plucking was perceived as very heavy activity (mean score 4.6).