Musculoskeletal Disorder and Body Parts Discomfort of Farm Women in Paddy Storage Activity of Assam

Abstract

Poor work posture constitutes one of the main risk factor for work related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), ranging from minor back problems to severe handicapping. A considerable number of adverse health conditions, including musculoskeletal disorders are linked to agricultural work. Assessment of exposure levels to MSDs risk factors can be an appropriate base for planning and implementing interventional ergonomics programs in the workplace. An attempt was made to assess musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and body parts discomfort (BPD) of farm women in paddy storage activity. Thirty subjects in the age group of 25–35 years who are having normal, non-pregnant, and non-lactating were selected for the purpose of the study. To ascertain the musculoskeletal problems of farm women Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) a 5 point scale, ranging from ‘very severe’ to ‘very mild’ was used. Scale developed by Corlett and Bishop (Ergonomics 19:175–182, 1976) was used in identifying the zones of discomfort in different body parts. Grip strength of the farm women was measured by using Grip Dynamometer. The farm women had ‘very severe’ pain in shoulder (86.66%), low back (80%), upper back (76.66%), leg (73.33%), and ankle (70%). Farm women also experienced ‘severe’ to ‘moderate’ type of pain in hands (83.33%), wrist (56.66%), upper arm (46.66%), calf muscles (43.33%), and knees (43.33%). Farm women experienced more discomfort in the upper parts of the body, such as the head, neck, shoulders, and arms than that of the lower body parts. The left hand of the respondents had more grip strength (13) than right hand (12.85).